 | |
| Broadcast area | Counties Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 102.0 – 103.1 FM |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English with dedicated Irish Language Chart Music programme |
| Format | CHR |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bauer Media Audio Ireland |
| Today FM SPIN 1038 iRadio | |
| History | |
First air date | Tuesday 1 July 2003 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Play |
| Website | beat102103.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.[1] 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.[2]
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, 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,[3][4] in a deal worth a combined €14 million[5] with WLR FM managing director Des Whelan keeping 25% of each.[6] 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.[7]
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.
On the 22nd of March 2024, Bauer Media Audio Ireland agreed to acquire Beat 102-103. The deal was finalised on the 1st of August, 2024.
In 2024 Beat 102 103 was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual IMRO National Radio Awards for Outstanding Achievement for their Digital Media Literacy initiative.[11]
- ^ "BCI :: Regional Radio Service: Beat 102-103FM". Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "TCM takes 75% stake of Beat 102–103". RTÉ. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "TCH acquires two radio stations". TCM. 13 April 2007.
- ^ "Receiver appointed to publisher of Irish Examiner as part of restructuring". RTÉ News. 6 March 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Times to acquire Landmark Media business". Irish Examiner. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Irish Times completes purchase of Irish Examiner". rte.ie. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Irish Times complete purchase of Landmark Media; Pledge to protect 'identity and independence' of titles". Irish Examiner. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Beat outstanding achievement winner". The Nationalist (Carlow). 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.