Christmas FM
 | |
| Broadcast area | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Slogan | Ireland's Christmas Station |
| Frequency | Various |
| First air date | November 2008 |
| Format | Christmas Music |
| Website | www.christmasfm.com |
Christmas FM is Ireland's radio station dedicated to Christmas themed music. It is a temporary licensed station, traditionally broadcasting from 26 November until 26 December since 2008. The station streams over the internet and maintains social media presence.
History
It began broadcasting in Dublin in 2008. Cork was added in 2009. Limerick, Galway and the South East of Ireland were added in 2010.[1] With the inclusion of an additional transmitter, Kildare was added in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, transmitters were added in the North Midlands, in the North East and in North Wicklow.
In 2016, the station is broadcasting in Dublin on 105.2 FM, in Cork City on 106.7 FM, in Limerick City on 105.5 FM, in Galway City on 87.7 FM, in the South East (Waterford, Wexford etc.) of the country on 103.8 FM, in Kildare on 88.1 FM, in the North Midlands on 99.4 FM, in the North East on 101.6 FM, North Wicklow on 107.3 FM, South Wicklow 106.6 FM and Kilkenny city on 104.3 FM.
The format is music driven with the addition of Christmas-themed content, all aimed at creating the 'Magic of Christmas'.[2] As a temporary licensed station it does not carry commercial advertising but does each years has both on-air and online sponsors to cover operational costs.
Charity Work
The station has chosen charity partners in each of its broadcast years with the objective of raising awareness and funds for the partner. Funds are raised through a mixture of premium text, on-line donation and in-branch donation. 100% of listener donations go directly to the chosen charity The charity partners were:
- 2008: ISPCC, raising approximately €35,000
- 2009: Simon Communities Dublin and Cork, raising approximately €70,000
- 2010: Barnardos, raising approximately €86,000
- 2011: Focus Ireland, raising approximately €117,000
- 2012: ISPCC/Childline,[3] raising more than €100,000
- 2013: Aware[4]
- 2014: Age Action
- 2015: Make-A-Wish Foundation
- 2016: Focus Ireland
Christmas FM also operates a song competition in the run up to the broadcast period with the short list being aired for a listener voted winner to be selected.[5]
Online Stations
Christmas FM also operates four online only Christmas themed music stations - Classic Christmas FM, Classical Christmas FM, Global Christmas FM and Country Christmas FM. All stations are available to listen through the station website, mobile apps and TuneIn.
Staff
The station is staffed by approximately 100 volunteers and provides a 24-hour service during the license period. The Voice Over used in many of Christmas FM’s charity promotional appeals since 2008 belonged to Bob Gallico (1930 – 2013).
The founders and/or managers of the station were Paul Shepard, Walter Hegarty, Garvan Rigby, Daragh O'Sullivan and the late Jim Kenny.
Presenters (past and present) include: Keith Shanley, Niall O'Keeffe, Ray Jackson, Greg Townsend, Garvin Rigby, Daragh O'Sullivan/Steve Davitt, Chris Murray, Hugh O'Brien, Mike Maloney, Lyndsey Dolan, Dave Hynes, Andrea Hayes, Jim Kenny, Niall Boylan, Derek Jones, Jacki Ascough, Shane Pearse, Simon Young, Chris Barry, Damien Allen, Tommy Green, Hugh Browne, Chris Maher, Niall Cassidy, Stevie Bolger, Electric Eddie, Mike Eastwood, Gary Matthews, Declan Ralph, Noel Shannon,Noel McCaul, Paul Scanlon, Ollie Clarke, Isobel Tobin, Tony Scott, Lucianne White, Wendy Grace, Mathieu Norrie, Enda Caldwell, Bernie Jameson, Ray G, Brendan Flanagan, Amanda Brunker, Mike Williams and Dermot Breen.
References
- ↑ Christmas FM, the charity seasonal radio station now in its third year
- ↑ Christmas FM song contest voting open to the public on Saturday
- ↑ Childline: 1,212 calls, texts and messages from children on Christmas Day
- ↑ "Christmas FM". Christmas FM. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ↑ Christmas FM to return, song contest announced