Christmas FM explained

Christmas FM
Logo Alt:Ireland's Christmas Station — Christmas FM — Bringing you the Magic of Christmas
Sister Stations:Halloween FM, Sound of Ireland
Airdate:November 2008
Frequency:Various
Area:Ireland
Language:English
Format:Christmas Music
Network:Radiohub
Website:christmasfm.com

Christmas FM is a seasonal radio station based in the Republic of Ireland dedicated to Christmas-themed music, billed as "Ireland's Christmas Station". Airing during the Christmas season, it is a temporary licensed station, traditionally broadcasting from 28 November until 27 December since 2008. The station streams over the internet and maintains social media presence.

History

It began broadcasting in Dublin in 2008. Cork was added in 2009. Limerick, Galway and the South East of Ireland were added in 2010.[1] With the inclusion of an additional transmitter, Kildare was added in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, transmitters were added in the North Midlands, in the North East and in North Wicklow.

In 2018 the station broadcast network was in Sligo 95.0, Dublin 105.2, Cork 106.7, Galway 87.7, Naas 88.1, South East 103.8, Nth East 99.4, Nth Midlands 101.6, Kilkenny 104.3, Wicklow 106.6, Nth Wicklow 99.5, Limerick 105.5, Ennis/Clare 105.2, Letterkenny 105.7, Kllarney/Tralee 105.0.

The format is music driven with the addition of Christmas-themed content, billed as trying to bring the 'Magic of Christmas'.[2] As a temporary licensed station it does not carry commercial advertising but does have both on-air and online sponsors to cover operational costs each year.

Dunnes Stores and Cadbury were the main sponsors of the station for 2017, and in 2018 Coca-Cola joined these two main sponsors.

Charity work

The station has chosen charity partners in each of its broadcast years with the objective of raising awareness and funds for the partner. Funds are raised through a mixture of premium SMS, on-line and in-branch donation. 100% of listener donations go directly to the chosen charity. Charity partners are listed below:

Christmas FM also operates a song competition in the run up to the broadcast period with the short list being aired for a listener voted winner to be selected.[18]

Previous Winners from the Christmas FM Song Contest

Online stations

Christmas FM also operates two online-only Christmas themed music stations: Christmas FM Classical and Christmas FM Classics and Christmas FM UK.[19]

Staff

The station is staffed by approximately 100 volunteers and provides a 24-hour service during the license period. The voice-over used in many of Christmas FM's charity promotional appeals since 2008 belonged to Bob Gallico (1930–2013).

The founders of the station were Paul Shepard, Walter Hegarty, Garvan Rigby and Daragh O'Sullivan. It was conceived by Garvan Rigby. All had previous experience in pirate radio and in temporary licensed stations, with the first two having been among the principals of temporary licensed Premier FM. The first station manager was the late Jim Kenny. Chris Maher, an expert in soul music, did a stint as station manager. The current station manager is Dan McDermott, who occasionally presents on Christmas FM, but is best known as a presenter on alternative-oriented online station 8Radio.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.mecglobal.ie/news-desk/mec-news/christmas-fm-the-charity-seasonal-radio-station-now-in-its-third-year/ Christmas FM, the charity seasonal radio station now in its third year
  2. http://entertainment.ie/music/news/Christmas-FM-song-contest-voting-open-to-the-public-on-Saturday/156853.htm Christmas FM song contest voting open to the public on Saturday
  3. Web site: Our History . Christmas FM . history.
  4. Web site: Childline: 1,212 calls, texts and messages from children on Christmas Day . 14 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023449/http://www.ispcc.ie/news-media/past-press-releases/press-releases-2012/childline-1212-calls-texts-and-messages-from-children-and-young-people-on-christmas-day/3070 . 3 December 2013 . dead .
  5. Web site: Christmas FM. Christmas FM. 28 November 2013.
  6. News: Russell . Cliodhna . Christmas FM raised more than €360,000 for Focus Ireland . 6 November 2019 . The Journal . 10 January 2017.
  7. Web site: €214,000 raised for Sightsavers in 2017 . Christmas FM . 6 November 2019.
  8. Web site: Christmas FM listeners fund thousands of sight-saving operations . Sightsavers . 6 November 2019.
  9. News: O'Brien . Cillian . Christmas FM raised more than €200,000 for Sightsavers . 6 November 2019 . Irish Mirror . 9 January 2018.
  10. Web site: Christmas FM raises over €400,000 in 2018 . Christmas FM . 6 November 2019.
  11. News: Hanratty . Dave . Christmas FM raises over €400,000 for Temple Street Children's Hospital . 6 November 2019 . Joe.ie . Joe.ie.
  12. News: Christmas FM raises over €400k for Temple Street Children's Hospital . 6 November 2019 . Irish Examiner . 17 January 2019.
  13. https://christmasfm.com/thanks-for-helping-us-raise-e412021-for-barretstown/
  14. Web site: Christmas FM announces ALONE as official charity partner for 2020.. Christmas FM. christmasfm.com. 12 December 2020.
  15. https://christmasfm.com/christmas-fm-raises-e284000-for-alone/
  16. https://christmasfm.com/christmas-fm-raises-e331515-for-barnardos/
  17. https://christmasfm.com/themagicofchristmas/
  18. http://entertainment.ie/music/news/Christmas-FM-to-return-song-contest-announced/149891.htm Christmas FM to return, song contest announced
  19. Web site: Classical Christmas FM. Christmas FM. 5 January 2022.

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