Licensing Plans
Commercial Radio Licensing Plan 2026 – 2027
Published: November 2025
Coimisiún na Meán (“the Commission”), as the body responsible for the regulation of broadcasting and other media in Ireland, is required under the Broadcasting Act 2009 to prepare a strategy for the provision of broadcasting services in Ireland. The Commission’s Broadcasting Services Strategy outlines its approach to the licensing of broadcasting services in the State (in addition to those provided by RTÉ and TG4) and outlines the Commission’s vision for the optimum mix of services.
Pursuant to its statutory obligation to produce plans regarding the number, nature and scope of broadcasting contracts that it proposes to enter into, the Commission presents its commercial radio licensing plan on the FM band for 2026 and 2027.
The national, regional and local radio services included in this plan are listed below.
| Franchise area | Station type & audience | Contractor | Station name | Contract expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quasi-National | All adult speech and news service | Bauer Media Audio Ireland, acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP | Newstalk | 31/12/2026 |
| National | All adult broad-format service | Bauer Media Audio Ireland, acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP | Today FM | 31/05/2027 |
| South West Region – Counties Kerry, Limerick and Clare, North Tipperary and South-West Laois | Music-driven service for the 15-34 age group | Bauer Media Audio Ireland, acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP | Spin South West | 28/06/2027 |
| Limerick City and County | All adult local broad-format service | Treaty Radio Limited (part of the Onic Group) | Live 95FM | 24/10/2027 |
Community Radio (FM) Licensing Plan 2025
Published: March 2025
Coimisiún na Meán (“the Commission”), Ireland’s media regulator, has prepared a strategy for the provision of broadcasting services in Ireland. The Commission’s current Broadcasting Services Strategy outlines its approach to the licensing of radio and television services in the State (in addition to those provided by RTÉ and TG4) to ensure that lrish audiences are served by a diverse range of services that are open and pluralistic in nature.
Pursuant to its statutory obligation to produce plans regarding the number, nature and scope of broadcasting contracts that it proposes to enter into, the Commission presents its Community Radio Licensing Plan for 2025. Additional services may be added to this Plan in 2025 and any updated plan will be published by the Commission.
The Plan includes 1) one new sound broadcasting contract and 2) a sound broadcasting contract for an existing community radio service as follows:
1) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for East Clare
| Franchise area | Community served | Existing pilot scheme |
|---|---|---|
| East Clare, including Tulla, Scariff, Whitegate and Killaloe | Local community in the franchise area | Scariff Bay Community Radio |
2) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Roscommon Town and its Environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Existing service | Contract expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roscommon town and its environs | Local community in the franchise area | RosFM Radio Limited trading as Ros FM | 31/12/2025 |