100-102 Today FM, formerly called Radio Ireland , is Ireland s only independent national commercial radio station (there are many other independent local commercial stations, however). The station commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick s Day in 1997.

= Origin: Radio Ireland =

The original Independent National Radio franchise holder in Ireland was 100-102 Century Radio, which launched in 1989 and closed down abrubtly within months. The Independent Radio and Television Commission did not re-advertise the contract for several years, until 1996.

Radio Ireland Limited, originally owned by John McColgan and Moya Doherty (and because of their involvement, dubbed Radio Riverdance ), won the contract when it was advertised. The station went on air on 17th March 1997. At first the station was a mixed network, airing much talk programming and various types of music. However after disastrous ratings, the station was revamped, and on 1st January 1998 became 100-102 Today FM. The station axed almost all its programming and changed its music policy entirely. The IRTC went along with the schedule changes, though in a statement soon after the relaunch said it was not entirely satisfied with the new schedule. However within three months, the station s listenership had almost doubled.

= Main programmes =

The station is known for three chief main programmes:

The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show - broadcasts from 7-9am each weekday, presented by Ian Dempsey. A lively mix of music and chat m the show is known mainly for its sketch segment - Gift Grub - which features a comedy sketch involving carictures of several main Irish personalities, including Bertie Ahern, Roy Keane, Michael D. Higgins, Liam Lawlor, Ray Burke, Daniel O Donnell (Irish singer), and others. These are performed by Mario Rosenstock. Film critic John Maguire reviews new cinema releases on Mondays.

The Ray D Arcy Show - this is broadcast from 9am-12 noon on weekdays. Presented by Ray D Arcy and often assisted by [http://itof.fimc.net/showdj.aspdjid=19661 Jenny Kelly], this show combines popular music with various - sometimes inane - topics. A feature of this show is Fix-It Friday which airs on Friday morning, which aims to answer any question the listenership should choose to throw at it.

The Last Word - this is the station s main current affairs strand and the only programme which survives from the station s original incarnation as Radio Ireland. Airing from 5pm-7pm weekdays and presented by Matt Cooper, this consists of analysis of the days events. It is not however rolling news. The Last Word is often praised for its detailed analysis and probing interviews, some of which have been exclusives to the station. But it has often been critised for its exessive reliance on a small number of guests, including Shane Ross, Fintan O Toole, and others who frequently appear on the show. However this has become less of a feature since the departure of the show s former presenter, Eamon Dunphy.

= Other programming details =

The stations playlist during the day and overnight centres mostly on UK Top 40 / Irish Top 30 popular music, but there is a slightly less slavish adherence to the playlist than at most popular music-based independent local radio stations, and DJs often play much of their own choice. The evening programming is presented by Tom Dunne, Ray Foley and Donal Dineen.

Other notable DJs on the station are Ann-Marie Kelly, Phillip Cawley, and Tim Kelly. Overnight programming is automated and without a DJ.

The station broadcasts a 20-minute main news bulitten at 12:45pm each weekday. At weekends, current affairs programming consists of Sunday Supplement , a 90 minute review of the weekend newspapers at Sunday lunchtime, The Sunday Business Show , which precedes the above at 10:30am, and a repeat of highlights of The Last Word , Saturdays at 10am. The station provides its own full news service, with bulletins on the hour between 7am and midnight.

= Current ownership =

In 2002, Scottish Radio Holdings plc acquired Radio Ireland Limited from its shareholders. In June 2005, an agreed takeover offer for that company was made by EMAP plc and is now owned by them.

= See also =

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