Mixed results for RTÉ radio shows in latest JNLR

Some of RTÉ's best-known radio programmes have recorded audience gains in the latest JNLR (Joint National Listenership Research) figures, while others have seen significant declines.

Morning Ireland remains Ireland’s most-listened-to radio programme, gaining 7,000 listeners to reach 464,000, while Liveline with Kieran Cuddihy has increased its audience by 14,000 to 268,000.

However, 2FM Weekend Drive with Emma Power and Graham Smyth has seen its Saturday audience fall by 17,000 to 77,000, while Sunday listenership has dropped by 16,000 to 70,000.

Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1 has also lost 9,000 listeners, falling to 202,000, while the Saturday Sport/Doc On One programming block is down 15,000 to 186,000.

There were gains elsewhere, with 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling adding 14,000 listeners to reach 189,000, while Marty in the Morning on RTÉ lyric fm increased by 7,000 to 92,000.

RTÉ holds the country’s ten most-listened-to radio programmes and 15 of the top 20, compared with 16 of the top 20 in August.

RTÉ has an overall radio market share of 28.3%, with almost two million people tuning in every week.

The latest figures cover October 2025 to September 2026, with increases and decreases compared with the previous JNLR results published in August, unless otherwise stated.

Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, described the results as "very encouraging," particularly for Radio 1.

"Less than a year since the launch of the new schedule it's fantastic to see that listeners are engaging with new voices and shows across the day," she said.

She also welcomed the growth in audiences for Liveline with Kieran Cuddihy and Inside Sport with Jacqui Hurley and Maria Crowe.

RTÉ Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1 remains Ireland’s most-listened-to radio station with a market share of 19.3%, reaching 1.365 million listeners every week, an increase of 11,000 on the previous JNLR results.

Morning Ireland continues to lead the national rankings with 464,000 listeners, while Today with David McCullagh has 421,000.

The Oliver Callan Show has 283,000 listeners, while News at One has 271,000.

Liveline with Kieran Cuddihy has recorded an increase of 14,000 listeners, bringing its audience to 268,000.

Cuddihy, who took over from Joe Duffy in November 2025, said he was "delighted" with the figures and credited the programme’s production team and listeners.

"I’m just coming up on one full year in the job, and every day is different and exciting because Liveline is just such an incredibly unpredictable show.

"But it’s great to see that it’s resonating with so many people around the country. And beyond the production team, that’s all down to the listeners who get in touch. Liveline is nothing without their stories," he said.

The Louise Duffy Show remains unchanged at 133,000 listeners, while Drivetime with Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin has fallen by 9,000 to 202,000.

Elsewhere, Inside Sport has gained 5,000 listeners to reach 88,000, while Arena is up 3,000 to 45,000.

At weekends, Countrywide has recorded one of the biggest increases, gaining 27,000 listeners to reach 257,000.

The Brendan O’Connor Show has 411,000 listeners on Saturdays, up 11,000, while its Sunday audience has fallen by 8,000 to 391,000.

Saturday Sport/Doc On One has seen its audience decline by 15,000 to 186,000.

The Business has gained 9,000 listeners to reach 351,000, while Playback has also increased by 9,000 to 315,000.

Sunday Miscellany has 289,000 listeners, up 10,000, while Sunday with Miriam has increased by 5,000 to 322,000.

This Week has gained 8,000 listeners to reach 218,000, while Rising Time with Lillan has 109,000 listeners on Saturdays, up 14,000.

RTÉ 2FM

RTÉ 2FM reaches 676,000 listeners every week with a market share of 4.8%. The station's daily reach has increased by 8,000 to 333,000 listeners, according to RTÉ.

The station’s Breakfast show with Carl Mullan, Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner has gained 14,000 listeners, bringing its weekday audience to 189,000.

The programme is also the most-listened to radio show nationally among 15-34-year-olds.

2FM Mornings with Doireann Garrihy has 79,000 listeners, while 2FM Afternoon with Demi Isaac and Mikey O’Reilly has 102,000.

2FM Drive with Laura Fox and Katja Mia has 123,000 listeners.

The New Music Show with Beta Da Silva has gained 4,000 listeners to reach 47,000.

At weekends, 2FM Weekend Drive with Emma Power and Graham Smyth has recorded notable declines, with Saturday listenership falling by 17,000 to 77,000 and Sunday listenership dropping by 16,000 to 70,000.

Weekends on 2FM with Bláthnaid Treacy has 114,000 listeners on Saturdays and 124,000 on Sundays.

2FM Weekend Afternoon with Helen Galgey and Benny Bracken has 117,000 listeners on Saturdays and 87,000 on Sundays.

RTÉ lyric fm

RTÉ lyric fm reaches 353,000 listeners each week, down 5,000 on the previous JNLR results, while its market share remains at 3.5%.

Marty in the Morning has recorded an increase of 7,000 listeners to reach 92,000. The programme is also up 19,000 listeners year-on-year.

Lorcan Murray’s Classic Drive has 63,000 listeners, down 5,000 on the previous results, while Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime has fallen by 4,000 to 50,000.

Liz Nolan’s The Full Score/Aedín in the Afternoon on Fridays has 57,000 listeners, down 8,000 on the previous results.

At weekends, Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney has gained 8,000 listeners to reach 74,000, while Aedín Gormley’s Movies and Musicals has increased by 3,000 to 66,000.

The Hamilton Scores with George Hamilton has 42,000 listeners on Saturdays and 39,000 on Sundays, with Sunday’s audience increasing by 8,000.

Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle has 50,000 listeners on Saturdays, down 6,000, and 56,000 on Sundays, down 3,000.