Radio

Public Service Media radio services

We have overall responsibility for the regulation of Irish public service radio stations. These are:

For more information on these audio services, see the RTÉ website.

Independent and community radio stations

Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for the licensing of independent and community radio stations in Ireland. We initiate the licensing processes for commercial and community/community of interest services.

• View the current Commercial Radio Licensing Plan 2024 – 2025 (PDF)

There are 33 commercial radio and 21 community, community of interest, and special interest services on air nationwide, regionally and locally. These services provide a diverse range of news, current affairs, entertainment, speech and music content which cater for a wide range of tastes, including those of minority interests.  

Temporary sound broadcasting contracts of up to 30 days can be applied for at any time. These are typically awarded to educational and student groups and other groups for special event purposes, such as festivals, drive-in movies, and other small area services. Coimisiún na Meán awards approximately 15-20 such licences (PDF) .  

Community groups interested in providing a temporary community radio service can also apply for a temporary sound broadcasting contract of up to 100 days. 

Institutions such as colleges and hospitals can apply for institutional sound broadcasting contracts, which can be awarded for up to ten years. Currently, there are four institutional services: Dreamtime Radio (Kilkenny), CUH FM Hospital Radio (Cork), St. Ita’s Hospital Radio (Dublin), and South Tipperary General Hospital Radio. 

More information