UTV retains Limerick licence

UTV Radio has been re-awarded the local radio licence serving Limerick city and county, fighting off competition from the only other applicant, Heart FM.

Live 95FM will continue to serve the area for another 10 years after the licence award today by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland

Live 95FM has been broadcasting in the area since November 1997, and acquired by UTV in June 2002. In 2006, Live 95FM achieved a record market share of 53.7%. It has also won five major national and international broadcasting awards.

David Tighe, chief executive of Live 95FM said: “I am delighted that we’ve been successful in retaining the licence to broadcast in Limerick city and county for the next decade. It was a long and complex process but we were confident that our track record – exemplified in numerous ways in our submission to the BCI – highlighted the good work we do, in the many walks of Limerick life.

“We would also like to thank our listeners and advertisers, who have inundated the radio station with good wishes throughout the process – and with messages of congratulations since the result became known.

“Our plan is to stay in tune with our listeners as we move forward with exciting plans to make Limerick’s Live 95FM even bigger and better!”

Professor Donal Dineen, Chairman of Live 95FM, said: “I am very proud of the significant efforts made by every one involved in our application and particularly gratified by the successful outcome of the process today.

“I am confident that, in an ever-changing broadcasting environment, Live 95FM will continue to be the market leader in Limerick. The BCI’s confidence in us is well placed and will be vindicated.”