Live95FM retain Limerick broadcasting licence

"Live 95FM will continue to be the market leader in Limerick"

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland announced today that Limerick Radio station Live95FM have successfully retained their licence to broadcast in Limerick.

The UTV owned station had come up against fierce competition from a rival consortium Heart FM and both went head to head at oral hearings last November.

Heart FM was backed by comedian Pat Shortt, musicians Noel and Mike Hogan and businessman Tony Brazil.

Radiowaves.fm reports that the award is “subject to the successful outcome of contract negotiations and further details will be announced in the coming months.”

Live95’s Chief Executive David Tighe said today,

“I am delighted that we’ve been successful in retaining the licence to broadcast in Limerick city and county for the next decade. It was a long and complex process but we were confident that our track record - exemplified in numerous ways in our submission to the BCI - highlighted the good work we do, in the many walks of Limerick life.

We would also like to thank our listeners and advertisers, who have inundated the radio station with good wishes throughout the process - and with messages of congratulations since the result became known. Our plan is to stay in tune with our listeners as we move forward with exciting plans to make Limerick’s Live 95FM even bigger and better!”

Its thought contract could net Live95, who have held the license in Limerick since 1997 ,up to €20m over the 10 years the license runs for.