Beat 102 103
Broadcast areaWaterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary
Frequency102.0 – 103.1 FM
Programming
Language(s)English with dedicated Irish Language Chart Music programme
FormatCHR
Ownership
OwnerThe Irish Times.[1] (75%); Des Whelan (25%)
WLR FM
Cork's Red FM
History
First air date
Tuesday 1 July 2003
Links
WebcastPlay
Websitebeat102103.com

Beat 102 103 is an independent regional radio station in the Republic of Ireland licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland covering counties Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary in South East Ireland.[2] It began broadcasting on 1 July 2003 from studios at The Broadcast Centre, Ardkeen, Waterford City (shared with Waterford station WLR FM), becoming the first station to operate under a regional licence.[3]

The station is a Top 40 Hit/CHR station aimed at listeners aged between 15 and 35.

The main presenters on Beat are Niall Power, Dave Cronin, David Hammond, Darren Rice and Debbie Ridgard.

On 13 April 2007, Cork based Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) announced it had acquired 75% ownership of both Beat 102 103 and WLR FM,[4][5] in a deal worth a combined €14 million[6] with WLR FM managing director Des Whelan keeping 25% of each.[7] TCH already had a media presence in the South East, owning several newspapers in the region.

Thomas Crosbie Holdings went into receivership in March 2013. The 75% stake was acquired by Landmark Media Investments.[1]

In December 2017, a sale was agreed to The Irish Times[8] pending regulatory approval. In July 2018, the sale of the station to The Irish Times was complete.[9][10]

A second stream, Noughty Beats, was launched in 2018.

Beat News and Beat Sport

News and Sport bulletins are at 10 to the hour from 06.50 'till 18.50 daily, with a 10-minute Beat News Roundup broadcast at 12.30. At 19.50, 20.50, 21.50, 23.30 and 01.00 on weekdays, "The Juicy Bits", a news, showbiz and weather bulletin is also broadcast.

The News Team

The Sports Team

Station imaging

Tara Murray is the female station imaging voice and Ben Murray is the male station imaging and promo voice of the station. Beat's sung jingles are by ReelWorld Europe. The station strapline is "Your Music Now".

Frequencies

Frequency Transmitter
102.0 MHz Mount Leinster
102.2 MHz Dungarvan
102.4 MHz Clonmel
102.6 MHz Gorey
102.8 MHz Carrickpherish
103.1 MHz Forth Mountain
103.1 MHz Carrick-on-Suir

References

  1. ^ a b "Receiver appointed to publisher of Irish Examiner as part of restructuring". RTÉ News. 6 March 2013.
  2. ^ "BCI :: Regional Radio Service: Beat 102-103FM". Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  3. ^ Susan Mitchell (3 February 2003). "Ireland's regional radio: Beat, coming July". Sunday Business Post. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  4. ^ "Control of WLR FM and Beat 102–103 sold to Cork-based group". Munster Express. 20 April 2007. Archived from the original on 5 January 2011.
  5. ^ "TCM takes 75% stake of Beat 102–103". RTÉ. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd acquires majority stake in two more radio stations". Laois Nationalist. 19 April 2007. Archived from the original on 5 January 2011.
  7. ^ "TCH acquires two radio stations". TCM. 13 April 2007.
  8. ^ "The Irish Times to acquire Landmark Media business". Irish Examiner. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Irish Times completes purchase of Irish Examiner". rte.ie. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Irish Times complete purchase of Landmark Media; Pledge to protect 'identity and independence' of titles". Irish Examiner. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

External links

Media in County Carlow
Media in County Kilkenny
Media in County Waterford
Media in County Wexford
Media in County Tipperary
National radio in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Categories