Fans of popular Cork radio programme 'disappointed' as show time halved to facilitate new Ryan Tubridy Show

A CORK radio station has come under fire for a decision to halve the time slot for one of its most popular shows.

Presented by Derry O’Callaghan, Oldies and Irish is now set to air from 12pm to 2pm on Sunday, whereas previously it ran for four hours from 10am. Beginning this Sunday, the two morning hours will be filled by a show presented by Ryan Tubridy.

Mr Tubridy joined Virgin UK after parting ways with RTÉ last year. As part of his new deal, he is to present the two-hour Sunday morning show across the Wireless Ireland radio group of stations, which includes Cork’s 96FM.

A number of fans of the show have queried adjustments to the current format, describing Oldies and Irish as an ‘institution.’ 

Cork City North-West Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent was among those to speak out about the scheduling changes.

He said that he and party colleague councillor Kenneth Collins are huge fans of the show.

“We saw the news on social media and are very disappointed by it,” Mr Nugent told The Echo. 

“It’s a real pity, given that the show is such an institution in Cork. People really look forward to it and it’s one of the only shows playing the likes of bands like the Wolfe Tones. If you did a poll the vast majority of people in Cork would want to leave things the way they are on a Sunday morning. 

"You can see from the response to this news that any threat to the show is taken very seriously. It’s only when you have a threat to a programme like this that you realise just how loved it is by people.” 

Advocate for the elderly, Paddy O’Brien said the show provides an extremely valuable service to older people in particular.

“There were often times where I was asked to write a letter to Derry O’Callaghan requesting a special message for a friend or family member. Requests came from everywhere from Ballyphehane to Blackrock. Recently I spoke to a woman who heard the news about the programme from a neighbour on her way back from the mass and it was like a death to her. 

"The elderly people love the music and it’s a great outlet for them. This has come as an awful disappointment.” 

He also described the show as an institution adding: “This was four hours of beautiful entertainment on a Sunday morning and now Ryan Tubridy is taking away two hours of that. The people of Cork love Derry O’Callaghan. What is happening is so wrong. This show isn’t just for the elderly. There are so many people who love it.” 

A spokesperson for 96FM said they are ‘delighted’ to welcome Ryan Tubridy to their schedule.

“I can confirm that Oldies and Irish, presented by the brilliant Derry O'Callaghan, moves to a new time slot from 12 noon to 2pm every Sunday. 

"At the same time we're delighted to welcome the inimitable Ryan Tubridy to our schedule and our listeners' ears in a brand new show from 10am to 12. 

"With The Arts House broadcasting from 8 to 10am, 96FM is starting 2024 with the must-listen soundtrack for Cork's Sunday morning.”