Waterford’s favourite radio station, WLR has topped the latest JNLR radio ratings, clocking in with 70,000 weekly listeners and 50,000 tuning in daily, making it the most listened-to station in the county.
Radio listenership is on the rise right across Waterford, but WLR continues to lead the way with the biggest reach of any station in the region. From early mornings to late evenings, WLR is firmly woven into the daily life in the Déise.
The station’s strong performance is built on a lineup of standout shows and trusted voices.
Highlights from the latest ratings include:
- “Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna” keeps the county upbeat and informed each morning.
- “Déise Today with Damien Tiernan” is driving daily debate and keeping listeners connected to the stories that matter.
- “WLR Gold with John O’Shea” delivers a golden mix of timeless music each evening.
The station’s specialist 6 pm evening shows, covering sport, arts, farming and business, have all seen significant audience growth over the past year, as more and more listeners turn to WLR for locally focused content.
Weekend listening is also on the up, with popular presenters like Sean Organ, Maria McCann, Timmy Ryan, Tony Kelly, Andy McCloskey and Geoff Harris all recording audience increases.
A huge part of WLR’s success lies in its award-winning news and sport coverage. The newsroom team is out and about across the county every single day, hearing the voices, covering the stories, and being on the ground where things are happening. From council chambers to community meetings, from breaking news to human interest features, WLR’s news output remains the heartbeat of its public service.
And when it comes to sport, WLR delivers live GAA and soccer coverage that brings listeners right into the thick of the action , whether it’s under lights at Fraher Field or high drama at the RSC. The station’s local sports team brings passion, insight, and real Waterford pride to every game it covers.
All of this is wrapped in a great mix of music, handpicked for Waterford listeners, the classics, the new hits, and everything in between, creating a station that’s as entertaining as it is informative.
Michael Byrne, CEO of WLR FM, said he was delighted with the results: “This is a proud moment for everyone at WLR, but especially for our listeners. They’ve made us part of their lives, and that’s something we never take for granted. We work hard to reflect Waterford in everything we do, and these results tell us we’re doing that in a way that resonates. On behalf of the entire team, thank you, Waterford. And of course, we’re also thrilled to be delivering such strong returns for our advertisers and business partners. When Waterford listens, local business benefits , and that’s a win-win for the whole community.”
The station credits this latest success to its loyal listeners and local partnerships: “We’re proud to serve Waterford every day, and these results show that the people of the Déise are proud to call WLR their station.”
Thank you for listening. Here’s to the next chapter.
Source IPSOS JNLR 2025-2
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
