Cork councillor questions decision to halve airtime of popular radio show

A CORK city councillor has written to the CEO of Cork’s 96FM in a bid to see the decision to halve the time slot of the popular Oldies and Irish programme reversed.

Independent councillor Ken O’Flynn said he had been inundated with messages from disappointed constituents since the news broke that the radio show was to be cut from four hours to two.

“In the past weeks, I have received a significant number of calls, emails, and letters from upset individuals, both locally and in the diaspora from the United States to Australia.

Distress and anger 

“The reduction in airtime has caused considerable distress and anger among the audience,” Mr O’Flynn said in the correspondence.

“The show, particularly the Oldies and Irish traditional Irish music segment, has been a cherished part of people’s lives, providing moments of joy and happiness for many.

“It has become a tradition and a staple of our local broadcasting.

“The decision to cut the show’s airtime has not only disappointed the local community but has also garnered negative reactions from those abroad,” he continued.

Mr O’Flynn called for the radio station’s management to reconsider the decision to reduce the airtime of Oldies and Irish.

“Understanding that your company is part of the Wireless Group, I kindly request you to appeal to your colleagues to reconsider this decision.

“The Oldies and Irish show holds sentimental value for many, and restoring its previous broadcast duration would undoubtedly alleviate the concerns and disappointment expressed by my constituents,” he said.

His correspondence comes as this week county councillors in Cork separately agreed to write a letter to the management of Cork’s 96FM to voice the strong preference of the council for the reinstatement of the full four hours of Oldies and Irish.

Letter

At a county council meeting this week, councillors also agreed for a letter to be sent to Communications Minister Eamon Ryan on the matter.

Presented by Derry O’Callaghan, Oldies and Irish now airs from 12pm to 2pm on Sunday, whereas previously it ran for four hours from 10am.

The two morning hours have now been 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 now presents the two-hour Sunday morning show across the Wireless Ireland radio group of stations, which includes Cork’s 96FM.

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,” they said.