Q Radio is a network of seven Independent Local Radio stations in Northern Ireland airing an adult contemporary format. The network is the fifth most listened to radio station in Northern Ireland, with a combined figure of 351,000 listeners as of December 2023, according to RAJAR.[1]
The various stations in the network previously had local opt-outs from the network schedule, including the Q Cafe on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There are currently[when?] no opt-outs on the schedule with all stations taking the network at all times, except for local news, traffic and advertising.[3]
Historyedit
Former Q101.2 studios in Omagh
The first use of the Q brand in Northern Ireland came with the launch of Q97.2 from Coleraine, County Londonderry, on 26 January 2000. Additional stations were opened in Derry (Q102.9) and Omagh, County Tyrone (Q101.2).
Further stations that would later become part of Q Radio launched in the mid-2000s. Seven FM launched on 1 November 2005 from its base in Ballymena.,[4] while Five FM won a licence to broadcast to Newry and Mourne on 100.5 MHz in 2006,[5] signing on 12 December.[6] That same year, River Media bought Mid 106 FM in Cookstown[7] from CN Group and rebranded it as Six FM. In 2011, Five FM, Six FM and Seven FM were rebranded as Q Radio stations.
In 2015, Q Radio acquired CityBeat in Belfast from CN Group, marking its entry into that market.[8] The station was then rebranded as Q Radio Belfast.
In 2017, "QHQ", the network's main studios, were opened in Belfast's Fountain Centre.[9] A series of licence extensions in 2018 brought Q Radio additional coverage in Northern Ireland, including transmitters covering Larne, Newcastle, Draperstown, Enniskillen and Ballycastle.[10]
^. Q Radio. Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
^"Seven FM launch day". RadioToday. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"Five FM win Newry licence". RadioToday. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"Five goes Live in Newry". RadioToday. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"CN Group sells Mid 106 FM". RadioToday. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"CN Group sells CityBeat to Q Radio Network". 29 January 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"New studios and HQ for Q Radio in Belfast". RadioToday. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
^"Q Radio extends FM coverage across N Ireland". RadioToday. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
External linksedit
Q Radio
January 01, 1970
radio, network, confused, with, radio, radio, network, seven, independent, local, radio, stations, northern, ireland, airing, adult, contemporary, format, network, fifth, most, listened, radio, station, northern, ireland, with, combined, figure, listeners, dec. Not to be confused with Q Radio Q Radio is a network of seven Independent Local Radio stations in Northern Ireland airing an adult contemporary format The network is the fifth most listened to radio station in Northern Ireland with a combined figure of 351 000 listeners as of December 2023 according to RAJAR 1 Q RadioBroadcast areaNorthern IrelandFrequenciesDAB 12D Bauer Northern IrelandFM 96 7 amp 102 5 MHz Greater Belfast97 2 amp 97 6 MHz North Coast100 5 MHz Newry101 1 MHz Kilkeel101 2 MHz Omagh102 1 MHz Enniskillen102 9 MHz North West106 0 106 3 amp 107 2 MHz Mid Ulster107 0 amp 107 6 MHz Mid AntrimProgrammingFormatAdult ContemporaryOwnershipOwnerNorthern Media GroupHistoryFirst air date9 August 2015 8 years ago 2015 08 09 LinksWebcastRadioplayerWebsitewww wbr qradio wbr com Contents 1 Network 2 History 3 Notable former presenters 4 References 5 External linksNetwork editQ Radio covers seven licence areas 2 Belfast 96 7 amp 102 5 FM and DAB North West 102 9 FM North Coast 97 2 amp 97 6 FM Mid Antrim 107 0 amp 107 6 FM Mid Ulster 106 0 106 3 amp 107 2 FM Newry amp Mourne 100 5 FM amp 101 1 FM Tyrone amp Fermanagh 101 2 amp 102 1 FM The various stations in the network previously had local opt outs from the network schedule including the Q Cafe on weekdays between 10 a m and 1 p m There are currently when no opt outs on the schedule with all stations taking the network at all times except for local news traffic and advertising 3 History edit nbsp Former Q101 2 studios in Omagh The first use of the Q brand in Northern Ireland came with the launch of Q97 2 from Coleraine County Londonderry on 26 January 2000 Additional stations were opened in Derry Q102 9 and Omagh County Tyrone Q101 2 Further stations that would later become part of Q Radio launched in the mid 2000s Seven FM launched on 1 November 2005 from its base in Ballymena 4 while Five FM won a licence to broadcast to Newry and Mourne on 100 5 MHz in 2006 5 signing on 12 December 6 That same year River Media bought Mid 106 FM in Cookstown 7 from CN Group and rebranded it as Six FM In 2011 Five FM Six FM and Seven FM were rebranded as Q Radio stations In 2015 Q Radio acquired CityBeat in Belfast from CN Group marking its entry into that market 8 The station was then rebranded as Q Radio Belfast In 2017 QHQ the network s main studios were opened in Belfast s Fountain Centre 9 A series of licence extensions in 2018 brought Q Radio additional coverage in Northern Ireland including transmitters covering Larne Newcastle Draperstown Enniskillen and Ballycastle 10 Notable former presenters editStephen Clements Declan Wilson Cate ConwayReferences edit RAJAR Quarterly Listening All Individuals 15 for period ending September 2023 www rajar co uk Retrieved 4 December 2023 How to Listen Q Radio Public File Q Radio Archived from the original on 5 May 2020 Retrieved 23 March 2020 Seven FM launch day RadioToday 1 November 2005 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Five FM win Newry licence RadioToday 8 June 2006 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Five goes Live in Newry RadioToday 12 December 2006 Retrieved 5 July 2020 CN Group sells Mid 106 FM RadioToday 7 March 2006 Retrieved 5 July 2020 CN Group sells CityBeat to Q Radio Network 29 January 2015 Retrieved 5 July 2020 New studios and HQ for Q Radio in Belfast RadioToday 8 September 2017 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Q Radio extends FM coverage across N Ireland RadioToday 15 February 2018 Retrieved 5 July 2020 External links editQ Radio Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Q Radio Network amp oldid 1221721825, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
