RTÉ says show has been going through a ‘rest period’ since veteran broadcaster hung up his micJNLR figures provide good news for the likes of Brendan O’Connor and Miriam O’Callaghan
As proof of Duffy’s star power, figures from the latest Joint National Listenership Research (JNLRs) reveal the huge slump in his show over the summer.
The veteran presenter finished up on June 27, after 37 years with RTÉ and was replaced with a rotating panel of broadcasters following his retirement.
It may spell an uphill battle for Kieran Cuddihy when he takes up the reins of the show next Monday as part of the massive RTÉ Radio 1 reshuffle.
Ratings for Liveline dropped to their lowest-ever levels, going from 299,000 listeners to 279,000 in the period from July, August and September.
Liveline has seen a slump since Joe Duffy left earlier this year.
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An RTÉ spokesperson said the long-running show was going through a “rest period” over the summer with a natural fall-off expected.
“Joe left RTÉ on June 27 so this book (survey) is only for July, August and September. It reflects the rest period for Liveline with the rotating presenters. We are really looking forward to Kieran starting on Monday. It’s all about the future now,” the spokesperson said.
In general, Radio 1’s schedule is continuing to perform strongly, particularly at the weekends.
Brendan O’Connor’s Saturday show is up 7,000 to 419,000, while figures for his Sunday slot are even stronger. He now has an average of 427,000 listeners, an increase of 18,000 from the previous survey.
The show has now achieved a higher listenership than when it was helmed by the late Marian Finucane.
Miriam O’Callaghan, meanwhile, added an impressive 20,000 more listeners for her Sunday show, which now stands at 337,000.
Figures for Radio 1’s weekday offerings remain consistently strong, starting with Morning Ireland, which is up 2,000 to 471,000 listeners.
It retains the title of Ireland’s most popular radio show, with presenters Mary Wilson and Áine Lawlor signing off on a high at the end of September.
There was a slight drop in listeners to Oliver Callan’s show, which will run for two hours from next Monday from 11am-1pm. He is down 7,000 to stand at 347,000, but is performing well.
Kieran Cuddihy has a battle on his hands as he prepares to fill the ‘Liveline’ slot. Photo: Steve Humphreys
Claire Byrne, who has now exited the station ahead of starting with Newstalk, saw no change for her show’s slot with 354,000 listeners. This is one of the highest ratings for that slot and puts her in a strong position heading into Newstalk.
Louise Duffy’s show is down 4,000 to stand at 215,000, while News at One has shed 14,000 to stand at 298,000.
The afternoon slot that was occupied by Ray D’Arcy, who left RTÉ last month, had ratings of 181,000 – only down 1,000 from the last survey.
Despite the decision to swap out regular presenters Sarah McInerney and Cormac O’hEadhra, Drivetime gained 5,000 listeners over the summer months, which is usually a quiet time for ‘talk radio’.
The show’s slot now stands at 222,000, with new presenters Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin inheriting a popular show as part of the reshuffle.
The RTÉ spokesperson said it was an “exciting time for Radio 1”.
“We haven’t seen a schedule shake-up like this in a very long time and the presenters and the programme teams are very excited,” she said.
“The new Inside Sport show will have two great presenters at the helm in Jacqui Hurley and Marie Crowe. We are a nation that loves its sports and they will really reflect that.”
The latest figures show RTÉ Radio 1 remains the first choice for adults aged 35-54 nationwide, with a weekly reach of over one million listeners.
Over in the commercial sector, Anton Savage is continuing to win over listeners for his weekend shows, which Pat Kenny will inherit next year.
Despite strong competition, Savage has added 7,000 listeners to his Saturday show which now stands at 146,000. His Sunday show is also up 5,000 to come to 124,000.
Commenting on the figures, he said it was a “lovely feeling to see the growth and the number of people willing to put up with me of a Saturday and Sunday”.
RTÉ Radio 1’s new line-up sees David McCullagh take over from Claire Byrne, and a new sports show presented by Jacqui Hurley and Marie Crowe. Photo: RTÉ
There has been much speculation that he could take over Cuddihy’s weekday slot, but Newstalk is keeping tight-lipped on plans for now.
The station confirmed today that it will “soon announce a new presenter and fresh take on this show for 2026”.
Cuddihy dropped 14,000 listeners over the summer to stand at 151,000 for his drivetime show.
Other substantial drops were recorded for Pat Kenny’s morning show, which will be helmed by Claire Byrne in the new year as he moves to the weekends.
Kenny dropped 20,000 listeners to come down to 196,000. Also down is Off the Ball which is down 12,000 to stand at 47,000, while Lunchtime Live is down 8,000 to 116,000 alongside Newstalk Breakfast, which is down 4,000 to 161,000.
On Today FM, there was good news for most of its flagship shows. As proof of his enduring popularity, Ian Dempsey’s breakfast show is up 5,000 to stand at 218,000, making it the most popular morning slot on commercial radio.
Dave Moore is up 6,000 to stand at 204,000 while Louise Cantillon gained 10,000 to come to 129,000. There was good news too for Matt Cooper’s Last Word which added 3,000 listeners to stand at 184,000.