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 |
Coimisiún na Meán’s Community Radio (FM) Licensing Plan 2026/2027
Published: February 2026
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 2026. Additional services may be added to this Plan in 2026, and any updated plan will be published by the Commission.
The Plan includes 12 sound broadcasting contracts for existing community radio services as follows:
1) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for West Limerick
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Limerick including Abbeyfeale, Foynes, Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Broadford | Local community in the franchise area | Community | WLCR FM Limited | 28/08/2026 |
2) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Dublin City and its environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin City, defined as the area within the M50 | Local community in the franchise area | Community | ublin Public Services Radio Association Limited, trading as Dublin City FM | 31/12/2026 |
3) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Lucan and its Environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucan and its environs in County Dublin | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Liffey Sound Communications Co-Operative Society Limited, trading as Liffey Sound FM | 31/12/2026 |
4) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Dublin City and its environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin City, defined as the area within the M50 | Local community in the franchise area and the community of interest served by an Irish language service | Community of Interest | Comharchumann Raidió Átha Cliath Teoranta, trading as Raidio na Life | 31/01/2027 |
5) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Castlebar and its environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlebar and environs | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Community Radio Castlebar FM Company Limited trading as Community Radio Castlebar | 20/06/2027 |
6) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Connemara and its environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connemara and environs | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Connemara Community Radio Company Limited by Guarantee, trading as Connemara Community Radio | 20/06/2027 |
7) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Galway City (Students)
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galway City | Students in the franchise area | Community of Interest | College Campus Radio Limited trading as Flirt FM | 20/06/2027 |
8) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Cork City (Students)
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork City within the area bounded by Farranree, Mayfield, Mahon, Rochestown, Frankfield, Bishopstown and Hollyhill | Students in the franchise area | Community of Interest | University College, Cork trading as UCC 98.3FM | 20/06/2027 |
9) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Limerick City (Students)
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick City as defined by the administrative boundary of the City Council. | Students in the franchise area | Community of Interest | Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, trading as Wired FM | 20/06/2027 |
10) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for North East Dublin
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North-east Dublin including Coolock, Artane, Kilbarrack, Raheny, Clontarf, Darndale, Killester, Kilmore, Dollymount, Baldoyle and Beaumont | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Communications Cooperative Society Limited, trading as Near FM | 28/06/2027 |
11) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for North West Dublin
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North-west Dublin – specifically parts of Blanchardstown, Corduff, Mulhuddart, Clonsilla and Castleknock | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Dublin 15 Community Broadcasting Cooperative Society Limited, trading as Phoenix FM | 30/06/2027 |
12) Community Sound Broadcasting Contract for Kilkenny City and its environs
| Franchise area | Community served | Service Type | Existing Service | Contract Expiry Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilkenny City and environs | Local community in the franchise area | Community | Kilkenny Communications Co-op Society, trading as Community Radio Kilkenny City | 26/10/2027 |