By Sean Treacy – OnlineNews.ie
4 Mins Read
July 27, 2026 07:38
FáilteDAB is the public-facing name for a high-powered DAB+ trial radio system currently operating in Ireland. Licensed by the communications regulator ComReg to the Irish engineering company Foothill Communications, the temporary service began transmission in April 2025 and has since been extended and significantly expanded.
It now delivers digital radio across a growing network that will soon reach more than 85% of the Irish population through two multiplexes: Mux 1 in Leinster and the new Mux 2 covering the Midlands, Southeast, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo.
DAB+ offers clear advantages over traditional FM. It provides superior sound quality, text and data services, and—most importantly—allows a single frequency to carry 20–40+ stations instead of just one. This creates a genuine opportunity for Ireland to modernise its radio sector, increase diversity and quality of content, and potentially reclaim greater control of its airwaves.
Content providers on the trial
Onic Audio Ltd (ultimately owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp) is the largest content provider on the FáilteDAB platform and has been aggressively launching stations. Formerly known as Wireless Ireland (or Wireless Radio ROI Ltd) and rebranded to Onic in March 2025, the company operates both traditional FM stations and a growing range of digital-only services.
Main FM stations owned by Onic:
| Station | Location | Format |
|---|---|---|
| FM104 | Dublin | Hits & entertainment |
| Q102 | Dublin | Oldies / classic hits |
| 96FM | Cork | Hits & local |
| C103 | Cork | Greatest hits & talk |
| Live 95 | Limerick | Local hits |
| LMFM | Louth / Meath | Local |
| U105 | Belfast | Hits & local |
It also holds rights for talkSPORT Ireland. On DAB+, rather than simply simulcasting its FM stations, Onic has launched multiple original digital-first services, including Onic Hits, Onic 80s, Onic 90s, Onic Country, Onic Alt, Onic Kids, Onic Pride Vibes, Onic Irish and others. The company also operates the Onic Player app and produces podcasts under the Onic Originals banner.
Bauer Media Audio Ireland (owned by the German Bauer Media Group) is Ireland’s largest commercial radio group. It previously operated as Communicorp Group (owned by Denis O’Brien) until Bauer acquired it in 2021. Bauer owns both of Ireland’s national commercial stations and many of the country’s biggest regional ones:
| Station | Area | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Today FM | National | Hits & entertainment |
| Newstalk | National | News, talk & current affairs |
| 98FM | Dublin | Hits |
| SPIN 1038 | Dublin | Youth / pop |
| SPIN South West | South West | Youth / pop |
| Red FM | Cork | Hits |
| iRadio | North West & Midlands | Hits |
| Beat 102-103 | South East | Youth music |
On the FáilteDAB trial, Bauer has taken a more cautious approach. Its current presence includes Newstalk, SPIN 1038, SPIN K-POP and Today FM Country Hits (on Mux 2). Most of these are simulcasts or limited additional services rather than new digital-first brands. Bauer also offers a strong multi-platform service through its GoLoud app.
Onic vs Bauer comparison
| Aspect | Onic (News Corp) | Bauer Media Audio Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | News Corp (USA/Australia) | Bauer Media Group (Germany) |
| Size in Ireland | Large | Largest commercial radio group |
| DAB+ approach | Very aggressive – many new digital-first stations | More cautious – mostly simulcasts + limited extras |
| Main strength | Digital innovation & niche stations | Scale, national stations & broad reach |
| Key stations | Q102, FM104, 96FM, LMFM, Live 95 | Today FM, Newstalk, 98FM, SPIN, Red FM, iRadio, Beat |
| Current DAB presence | 8+ stations (mostly new digital brands) | Fewer, mostly existing brands |
Concerns about the trial
Despite its scale and potential, the trial has received little mainstream publicity. Most coverage has been limited to specialist radio industry sites, leaving average listeners—and even many smaller Irish broadcasters—largely unaware that a high-powered national-scale digital radio platform is already live and expanding rapidly.
The structure of DAB+ is particularly attractive to large media groups. A single multiplex licence offers enormous capacity for dozens of stations, targeted advertising and data services—far more efficient than scattered FM licences. Foreign-owned companies with deep pockets and existing Irish assets are already moving fastest: Onic is flooding the platform with new stations to build audience and brand presence, while Bauer has the infrastructure and regulatory experience to scale quickly.
Because the service is officially a “trial,” it attracts less public and political scrutiny than a full national licensing process. Early movers can establish technical capability, listener habits and commercial models now, positioning themselves strongly for future permanent DAB+ multiplex licensing rounds by ComReg and Coimisiún na Meán. History of Irish radio licensing shows that larger (often foreign-linked) groups have frequently moved fastest and consolidated control.
Bottom line
DAB+ could help Ireland refresh its airwaves with better choice, sound quality and more diverse content. Without greater public awareness, however, independent Irish operators, community voices and new entrants risk being squeezed out—repeating patterns seen in previous licensing cycles.
The trial is already here and expanding. The question is whether Irish interests will engage before the digital licences are effectively spoken for.
