Classic Hits owner Bay Broadcasting set to purchase Galway Bay FM
Galway Bay FM has been purchased by Classic Hits owner Bay Broadcasting from the publishers of the Connacht Tribune.
The deal is subject to approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and ministerial approval. Just last week, it emerged that the Connacht Tribune is set to be sold to the publisher of the Iconic group of newspapers, Malcolm Denmark, subject to CCPC approval.
Galway Bay FM launched in 1989 under the name Radio West, rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which owned a 27% stake, became sole owners in 2006. Galway Bay FM broadcasts to Galway city and county, with a market share of 34%, with listeners predominantly in the age 27 to 60 bracket. The station has a staff count of 25 at is based at Sandy Road in the city.
"Galway Bay FM stands out as one of Ireland's most respected local stations, with a loyal audience and a strong local identity," said Bay Broadcasting director Kevin Branigan. "It's one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station's proud position as the leading radio service in Galway."
Bay Broadcasting is privately-owned and co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Mr Branigan. It operates Dublin music radio stations Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8, along with Ireland's Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin Cork, Limerick, and Galway. With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting will become the second largest radio group in Ireland - and the only Irish-owned radio group - now larger than Onic (formerly Wireless), operators of FM104/Q102 in Dublin, 96FM/103FM in Cork, Live 95 in Limerick,and LMFM in Louth/Meath.
The purchase of Galway Bay FM will give Bay 810,000 listeners compared to Onic's 796,000 listeners. The acquisition has already been approved by Coimisiún na Meán.
It stands Bay Broadcasting only behind Bauer, whose stations include Newstalk, Today FM, RedFM 98FM, Spin South West, and Beat 102-103.
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