Licensing Notices

Below are the open licensing notices for both commercial and community sound broadcasting services, along with information on how to apply.

Commercial Sound Broadcasting Services

In accordance with section 67(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”), Coimisiún na Meán (“the Commission”) hereby states its intention to proceed to invoke the fast-track licensing procedure under section 67(6) of the Act for the award of the sound broadcasting contracts (“Contract”) for the provision of the following sound broadcasting services on the FM band:

National broad-format sound broadcasting service targeting all adults

The sound broadcasting contract, currently held by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited, acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP and broadcasting as Today FM, is due to expire on 31 May 2027.

Regional music-driven sound broadcasting service targeting a 15-to-34-year old audience in the South West Region (Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary and South West Laois)

The sound broadcasting contract currently held by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited, acting as a general partner of Bauer Audio Ireland LP and broadcasting as SPIN South West, is due to expire on 28 June 2027.

Any person other than the incumbent interested in providing either sound broadcasting service is required to submit in writing that they wish to apply for the award of the Contract and to deposit the sum of €25,000 (for the national service) or €20,000 (for the regional service) with An Coimisiún by 14 September 2026. Such a deposit is refundable if an application for the award of the Contract is subsequently submitted to An Coimisiún in accordance with section 65 of the Act.

A Guide and Form for Statement of Intent for each of the above sound broadcasting contracts is available here:

Interested parties must complete the Statement of Intent Form in full and submit it as a PDF to [email protected] by 12 noon on Monday, 14 September 2026.

A Statement of Intent submitted in response to this notice does not constitute an application for either of the sound broadcasting contracts specified herein or any other sound broadcasting contract.

All valid Statements of Intent will be made available publicly following consideration by An Coimisiún.

For further information, contact:

Contract Awards,
Coimisiún na Meán,
1 Shelbourne Buildings,
Shelbourne Road,
Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
T: 01 6441200,
E: [email protected]

Cuireann Coimisiún na Meán fáilte roimh chomhfhreagras i nGaeilge

Community Sound Broadcasting Service

In accordance with section 65(8) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”), Coimisiún na Meán (“the Commission”) hereby invites applications in writing from persons interested in securing sound broadcasting contracts for the provision of the following sound broadcasting services on the FM band:

Community Sound Broadcasting Service for Connemara and its Environs

The community sound broadcasting contract, currently held by Connemara Community Radio Company Limited by Guarantee and broadcasting as Connemara Community Radio, is due to expire on  20 June 2027.

Community Sound Broadcasting Service for Castlebar and its Environs

The community sound broadcasting contract, currently held by Community Radio Castlebar FM Company Limited by Guarantee and broadcasting as Community Radio Castlebar, is due to expire on 20 June 2027.

Community Sound Broadcasting Service for Dublin North-East

The community sound broadcasting contract, currently held by Comharchumann Cumarsáide Pobal Bhaile Átha Cliath Thoir-Thuaidh Teoranta and broadcasting as Near FM, is due to expire on 28 June 2027.

Programming on the services should be community-focused, specifically address the interests of, and seek to provide a social benefit to, the community in the specified area. The services should be owned and controlled by a not-for-profit organisation whose structure provides for membership, management and operation primarily by members of the community.

An applicant must be representative of, and accountable to, the community to be served by the sound broadcasting service.

Guides to applications and application forms are available here:

Connemara and its Environs

The closing date for the submission of applications is 5p.m. on Thursday, 19 November 2026.

Castlebar and its Environs

The closing date for the submission of applications is 5p.m. on Thursday, 26 November 2026.

Dublin North-East

The closing date for the submission of applications is 5p.m. on Thursday, 26 November 2026.

Applicants should note that the Commission reserves the right not to award a contract.