South East Radio's Average Audience Jumps 50% Under Midlands 103 Ownership

Will Faulkner, Managing Director, Midlands 103 and South East Radio

The Two Stations' Combined Weekly Audience Exceeds 188,000 Adults

Advertising customers on South East Radio are achieving a 50% higher return on investment year-on-year, with the average commercial message now influencing 12,000 adults.

The latest figures come during a period of significant change at the Wexford-based station, following Midlands 103’s announcement in March 2025 that it was to acquire the company.

Weekly listenership is up 14% to 79,000 adults, while market share remains the highest in Leinster at almost 43%.

There have been increases across the schedule over the past three months, with the highest gains recorded for the new Feel Good Drive with Julie McCracken. The Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran remains the county’s most popular show.

Meanwhile, Midlands 103 has reclaimed its position as Leinster’s largest local radio station, with 109,000 weekly listeners, and has climbed to second overall in the country.

Joint National Listenership Research is Ireland’s largest survey outside of the Census, with results gathered independently by Ipsos MRBI.

It shows almost 3.5 million adults, or 78%, tune into radio each weekday, underlining the medium’s continued strength and relevance in a changing media landscape.

Listening to local and regional radio remains a cornerstone of Irish media, with 2.3 million adults tuning in on weekdays. Radio also continues to dominate the wider audio landscape, accounting for 74% of total audio listening time, far ahead of streaming and podcasts.

Radio continues to perform strongly among younger audiences, with 66% of 15 to 34-year-olds listening daily.

In celebration of their audience growth, both South East Radio and Midlands 103 are announcing major tours of their regions, with more than 60 community-focused outside broadcasts planned for the year ahead.

Managing Director Will Faulkner says he is looking forward to a number of special projects in the year ahead.

“New programmes are being launched on both services to open the airwaves to underrepresented voices, while Local Democracy Reporters are being appointed from June - a first for independent radio - along with a special series to support survivors of domestic abuse, which will be developed before Christmas.

“We’re also planning significant studio investments to deliver state-of-the-art video for both our own content creators and our customers.”

George Lawlor - Labour TD, Will Faulkner - South East Radio and Minister for Housing James Browne TD.Pictured at the inaugural South East Radio Home and Energy Expo at St Peter's College, Wexford: George Lawlor TD, Midlands 103 and South East Radio Managing Director Will Faulkner, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD.

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