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  • What’s in the bag: My podcast kit, 2023 edition

    What’s in the bag: My podcast kit, 2023 edition

    This post was first published in 2018, then upgraded in 2019. Now in 2023, my podcast kit hasn’t seen too much change though I have added some extra Rode kit.

    Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you eventually purchase a product through one of these links it will generate a commission.

    When it comes to podcast production, whether on the road or in the office, everyone will have a different take or a preference for another microphone or recording device. In a nutshell, though, the gear boils down to the same functions – something to record on, something to record with, something to listen to your work as you go, and something to edit on.

    In brief: What’s in my bag?

    You can tell I like my Rode gear, but they keep building and I’ll likely keep buying.

    In detail: What’s in my bag?

    Zoom H6

    I’ve had my Zoom H6 portable recorder pretty much since it hit the market. Before that, I swore by my trust Zoom H4 and I’m pretty sure there was a Zoom H2 in there before that. The H6 gives you an incredible amount of flexibility thanks to four combo inputs and additional microphone attachments allowing you up to six channels for recording. It can run for hours on four AA batteries, recording to SD, or can be used as a USB audio interface in either stereo or multi-channel setups.

    My 2020 podcasting kit, including a Zoom H6 and some Shure SM58 dynamic vocal mics
    My 2020 podcasting kit, including a Zoom H6 and some Shure SM58 dynamic vocal mics

    Format-wise you can start at 44.1kHz/16bit right up to 96kHz/24bit and if you’re combining it with video, there’s an optional hot shoe mount that can be attached, along with a plethora of accessories. For studio-quality recording in your pocket, the H6 is by far and away one of the most user-friendly options on the market that offers serious bang for your buck.

    Rode NTG-2

    Rode NTG2
    Rode NTG2

    My shotgun mic of choice for video for years, I started carrying the NTG-2 in my bag for walk-and-talk interviews. It’s great at distance, ideal on the end of a boom pole and requires little maintenance. You can power it via phantom or pop in a single AA battery and it will last you weeks. I’ve used this for everything from voiceovers to countless radio interviews, to capturing audio for video and it’s always performed. It’s still available on the market at around the €240 mark depending on where you shop but has long been upgraded. The NTG-4 is in a similar price bracket but if you step up to the NTG-5 you’ll start doubling your cash outlay.

    Shure SM58

    Shure SM58
    Shure SM58

    The industry standard when it comes to dynamic microphones. Tried and tested in every situation known to man, the Shure SM58 is a rockstar mic and I’ve carried at least one in my bag since 2006. At around €125ish each, they’re virtually indestructible and never let you down. You’re as likely to find them on stage at concerts the world over as you are at gigs in the back of a pub or in a reporter’s bag.

    2 XLR cables

    XLR cables are the basics ties that bind the audio world together when it comes to professional microphones. Given I’m using the Zoom H6 quite a bit, I’ll carry at least two cables with me that will have been checked and tested before I go recording. If I’m setting up for two people, I’ll bring a third cable, and three people a fourth cable etc. Safety first.

    2 sets headphones and a headphone splitter

    Never leave home without headphones when you’re recording and if you can bring a spare pair with you, do. I’ll bring a set of over-ear headphones and in-ear buds with me wherever I’m going to record. It might sound harsh, but there’s a special place reserved in audio hell for those who insist on recording without headphones or checking their levels before they push start – don’t take up one of those places. Using a splitter (stereo) means I can offer a guest a set of headphones, or send a separate feed to a headphone amp (they come cheap), or my video camera.

    1 pack spare AA batteries

    The Zoom H6 will record for about 20 hours on just four AA batteries. That means I’ll always carry an extra four with me, just in case. The NTG-2 also requires a single AA battery. If you’re recording out in the sticks and you realise you need batteries, you’re better off looking at them than looking for them.

    2 16 GB SD Cards

    Similarly, with batteries, SD cards can be fickle at times. The cost of SD memory cards has come down dramatically in recent years to the point where you can pick up (for example) a 128GB class-10 card with a write speed of 140mbps for roughly €15, at the time of writing at least. My Zoom H6 will take one card but I’ll always make sure to have a second one just in case. If you do a lot of chopping and changing with cards. Typically for a transfer from the H6 I will opt to use USB mode and mount the card as a readable drive as opposed to taking the card out to pop into an external SD card reader. The less travel it has to do, the better.

    iRig microphone

    IK Multimedia's iRig Mic
    IK Multimedia’s iRig Mic

    This one doesn’t get too much use these days and requires an optional jack to USB/lightning adapter but if you’re looking for a wired handheld option that links straight to your phone, the iRig mic is a great one to get you out of a spot of bother. Connected to an iOS device, it also has a headphone socket for monitoring your recording.

    You can find out more from IK Multimedia.

    Rode Wireless Go II (pair)

    When the Rode Wireless Go appeared on the market, I knew they were going to become part of my setup. When the II came along, I jumped at the chance and ended up getting a complimentary Rode Interview Go (giving you a handheld option). The Wireless Go II gives you two wireless transmitters, good for a 200m line of sight, with a dual-channel wireless receiver that allows you to record transmitters separately or combined.

    There’s universal compatibility with cameras, mobiles, your laptop and more, meaning working with this piece of kit puts you in some rare air with capabilities. The Rode SC5 cable is included in the kit if you need to get audio to a DSLR but for iOS devices you’ll have to acquire an additional cable. The transmitters also have a 3.5mm TRS input for use with lav mics.

    Rode SmartLav+

    Considering they work well with the Wireless Go kit, having a Rode SmartLav+ in my bag seems like a no-brainer now, but it was there before the wireless kit cropped up. If I’m looking for soundbites, or I’m at an event and want to travel really light, I’ll grab my phone and the SmartLav+ and make for the door. You can get clear audio in a noisy environment and while it’s not my first port of call, when the camera comes out and I want to hide a wireless transmitter, it does come in fierce handy.

    2 additional lav mics

    Secondary to the SmartLav+, I picked up a couple of off-market lav mics, both with 5-metre leads, more for video work than anything else.

    Rode AI-Micro

    Given that I’ve got a few lav mics in the bag, I figured I might as well have the Rode AI-Micro in there too. Pop it into an iPhone, connect two lav mics and a set of headphones and you’ve got a nifty dual-channel interface where you can effectively fit all your recording equipment in your pocket.

    You could also use a RODE VideoMic, any wireless system that allows a 3.5mm connection or stereo microphones. TRRS connections are also supported. Not a bad option too for Zoom calls if you want some better quality audio or a bit of distance from your screen.

    What’s my home setup like?

    For home sessions, I keep things fairly simple. There was a stage where I was using a 16-channel analogue desk, combined with the Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 for the PC or using the Digidesign 003 Rack with the Macbook (it also still works with Windows 10 with some gentle persuasion if you’ve got a FireWire card handy).

    Nowadays it’s much simpler

    The Rodecaster Pro, while set up at home, is also terrific in a mobile setting and, with the right cabling, doesn’t require mains power to run meaning you could run it powered by USB from a laptop. Or if you’ve got mains power, don’t bother bringing the laptop and you’ve got yourself a multi-channel recorded with phone inputs, Bluetooth pairing and a fully programmable FX bank (which you can also use to load in pre-recorded audio).

    Rodecaster Pro v1

    With Class-A servo biased preamps, Aphex processing on board, the option to record in full multi-track, eight programmable pads, four mic inputs and five headphone outputs plus additional connectivity on USB devices (with a full mix-minus), TRRS and Bluetooth, the original Rodecaster Pro has gotten me out of so many holes in recent years and opened up countless possibilities for interviews whether over Zoom or Skype or my mobile (including WiFi calls or WhatsApp calls) without having to leave my desk.

    It’s portable, mains powered with an optional extra to go USB-powered, and can work as a multi-channel interface with your DAW or a standalone recorder and that’s just for starters.

    More recently, I’ve made it part of my fledgling Twitch streaming efforts but if the budget was there wherever you’re working or streaming from, I’d be recommending grabbing the first or second versions of these units, the more the merrier. It’s a one-stop shop for podcast production and can easily be used in a live radio setting with broadcast meters and output muting also included. I’ve had good success in pairing mine with a Tieline VIA for home broadcasting and it comes packed with presets for a variety of RODE and non-RODE microphones to help you get the best production.

    As interfaces go, they’re not cheap and the latest iteration will set you back close to €700 a unit but the Rodecaster is easily one of the best audio purchases I’ve made in years. Learn more about it in detail here.

    Rode PodMic

    I’ve used plenty of different microphones for my home setup over the years but this year (2023) I picked up the RODE PodMic following a trip to Thomann’s factory (town) in Germany, pairing it with the low-profile Elgato Wave arm. It’s about a third of the cost of an SM7B, doesn’t need half as much work to drive it and it’s perfect for home podcast, broadcast or streaming use. Learn more about it on Rode.com here.

    Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250ohm headphones

    I made the point above that if you’re recording audio of any description, you better be wearing headphones. Well, when you’re wearing headphones, you may as well be comfortable. I’ve got a black set of Beyerdynamic DT-100s looking at me here, a staple of radio stations around the world, but a few years back I upgraded them to a set of the Beyerdynamic DT 770s, mainly for comfort and some additional warmth (gotta love the velvet pads instead of the leather).

    Elgato’s Wave Mic Arm LP

    The Wave Mic Arm LP from Elgato is a low-proflie studio-grade boom arm that sits below the shoulder line for an unobstructed view on camera – meaning it’s idea for streamers or podcasters and broadcasters who don’t like a mic arm dropping into their line of sight. For my home setup, it’s popping out just under my monitor and gets pushed out to the side when not in use. For streaming in particular or videos I make at the desktop, you can’t see it in shot, something that makes for a more engaging visual experience. More on Elgato.com.

    16 GB MicroSD card

    If you want to record directly to the Rodecaster Pro, you’re going to need a memory card and in the case of the first version of the interface, it’s MicroSD all the way. With the Rodecaster Pro you can record via USB and straight to the SD, including in multi-track mode.

    But wait, there’s more

    There’s definitely more gear on the go, something usually the case with anyone involved in live or studio engineering. I know if I open another pocket in the bag I’ll find something stuffed there from a year or two ago, or discover I’ve extra cables or spare parts but ultimately you’ll use what’s right for the occasion and location you’re recording in.

    Given the portability of the Rodecaster Pro, I’ve used that previously to record episodes of The Football Manager Football Show when production studios aren’t available, instead opting for an office setup. Similarly, there have been episodes of that podcast recorded using my Zoom H6 with two dynamic microphones (SM58s), in particular when we’ve had to record on location outside of the studio.

    At the end of the day you’ll find the right kit for the right location, but I like to have my bases covered when it comes to recording. If I add any more gear or refine my selections, I’ll update this list in due course.

    And if you’ve got any must-have pieces of equipment that you can’t live without when recording, leave a comment below with details.

  • Learning Waves to host Podcast Day 2023 later this month

    Learning Waves to host Podcast Day 2023 later this month

    Learning Waves, the training body for the independent commercial radio sector in Ireland, is hosting Podcast Day 2023 on Thursday 25 October.

    Signups are available here.

    The Gibson Hotel in Dublin’s docklands provides the backdrop with the day bringing together a number of speakers on the world of podcasting, monetisation, sound design, podcasts for radio stations and more, all under the one roof.

    It’s a one-day affair, kicking off at 11am with comedian and podcaster Jarlath Regan the keynote speaker. There are two sessions booked before lunch and in the afternoon. Here’s how the schedule is looking…

    • 11am: Introductions
    • 11.10am: Keynote speaker – Jarlath Regan
    • 11.50am: Radio stations making podcasts: Why, the wins and the watchouts with Aisling Moore (Senior Producer, Newstalk, and Producer of Inside the Crime), Liam Thompson (Programme Director, Classic Hits, and Co-Founder of The Smart 7), Darren Cleary (Bauer Media) and Ian Doyle (Head of Podcasting at Wireless Group)
    • 12.40pm: Achieving world-class sound design in your podcast with Niall Breslin (Where Is My Mind?) and Lochlainn Harte (Imaging Manager, Newstalk)
    • 1.15pm: Lunch
    • 2pm: Fireside chat with Doireann Garrighy (RTÉ 2FM) in conversation with Patrick Haughey (AudioBrand)
    • 2.40pm: The International Perspective – UK and Germany with Martin Liss (audio entrepreneur & management consultant) and Meera Kumar (multi award-winning podcast producer)

    The day is aimed at all those interested in podcasting, currently working in the independent radio sector in Ireland.

    As such, you must be currently working with an independent radio station to book.

  • Cybersecurity month: 10 simple tips for safeguarding your radio station from cyber threats

    Cybersecurity month: 10 simple tips for safeguarding your radio station from cyber threats

    Did you know that October is cyber security month in some quarters?

    Whether you’re a national, regional, local or community radio station, cyber security should always be kept on the agenda. Devices can go missing, pet names get used for passwords, programs get installed that shouldn’t and, with the rise of scammers, suspect links and attachments in emails to invoice redirection and outright theft, there’s always something to consider.

    Each year, for the entire month of October in Europe, hundreds of activities around cyber security take place from conferences to workshops, training to webinars and more. It’s all driven by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) which runs an annual campaign dedicated to promoting cybersecurity among EU citizens and organisations, along with providing up-to-date online security information through awareness-raising activities and the sharing of good practices.

    It sounds like a mouthful, and you can read more about it here, but in essence, it’s a month-long effort to aid the understanding and importance of cyber security for the world we live in today.

    For radio stations, it’s paramount. Think of your internal setup – from remote staff to in-house workers, reception through to sales and commercial departments, news and sports programming to production and advertising. You may be running internal file stores, having countless connected machines from desktop computers to CCTV, your on-air playout system to your online streaming service. You’ve got full-time staff, part-time staff, contractors, swing jocks, cover reporters, work experience students and more – and that might be just on any given day.

    A 48-port network switch.
    A 48-port network switch. Photo: Brett Sayles / Pexels

    Then think of your external setup as the analogue world has shifted to digital. You might have one transmission site, or you might have a dozen. They could be all interconnected, all networked. You’ve got primary links, backup links, AOIP connections, SIP connections and a plethora of hardware and software from many different providers that all have a key job to do in keeping the show on the road.

    While you may not be able to bridge every gap or plan for every scenario, there are some simple things you can do to help improve cyber security hygiene for your radio station. And yes, these tips could be adapted and applied to businesses in all walks of life, but I’m focusing on the radio side of things for the minute.

    Plenty of variables in a connected world, which could mean plenty of opportunities for would-be cyber attackers. So from safeguarding sensitive data to ensuring uninterrupted broadcasts, here are ten quality cyber security tips that you could implement immediately to bolster your radio station’s defences and protect your assets.

    10 simple cyber security tips for radio stations (and other businesses)

    1. Implement robust firewalls

    Every radio station’s IT infrastructure should be shielded by robust firewalls. These act as the first line of defence against external threats, filtering out malicious traffic and preventing unauthorised access. That’s literally what firewalls do – provide a layer of protection from the outside world. Typically a single firewall setup will sit between your internal network and your external connection to the internet.

    All manner of rules and configurations can be implemented to restrict traffic from outside sources, and limit requests to resources from inside (e.g. blocking certain websites or categories of online content). Whether you’re managing a firewall yourself or you’ve engaged the services of a third-party IT or security firm, you should ensure that your firewall hardware and software settings are regularly updated and reviewed.

    2. Secure data storage

    Radio stations handle a plethora of data and information every single day, from listener contacts and queries to commercial contracts and big finance deals, to sensitive employee information and more. It’s vital to store this data securely. Where you can, opt for encrypted storage solutions and consider using cloud services that offer advanced security features and regular backups. Always ask yourself the question – if I lost this data in the morning, how much would it impact my ongoing operations? If the answer is anything more than ‘not at all’, you need to consider your data storage options.

    3. Regularly update software

    In April 2014, Windows XP reached end of life. The extended support for Windows 7 beyond the end of life was reached in January 2023. Windows 10 will reach its end of life in October 2025. Yet there are core systems in radio stations around the world that are still running on dated, unsupported and no longer updated operating systems or running outdated software.

    If you dig deep enough, you may even find it as a requirement of your insurance that you’re required to be running on updated versions of particular software. In the case of Microsoft, regular updates are pushed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and, while sometimes they introduce headaches when done in the background, they’re provided for a reason – especially OS security upgrades.

    The bottom line, keep essential software up-to-date and in line with your provider’s schedule for updates. Where you’re using other third-party software whether for remote access, scheduling, traffic and advertising, playout or the management of other key hardware and infrastructure, keep up with patch notes from vendors and apply updates regularly.

    4. Establish a strong password policy

    This one’s a simple one and can be applied to any walk of life. There are two areas jumping off the page immediately for this – one is with users logging on to an internal network (also picked up in my next point) and the other is for email and social media.

    A strong password policy can be put in place by domain administrators (assuming your internal network uses a domain) while policies can also be set for Microsoft 365 / Google Workplace accounts for accessing email and other associated online services. For example, please don’t let someone’s password be ‘password’ or ‘abc123’. Consider a strong password policy, that can be enforced, encouraging longer, more cryptic options.

    Tools like 1Password will provide password generators, LastPass too have an online option available here. If you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and that link is your password, it’s an easy one to improve. Equally, if you’re not already using MFA (multi-factor authentication for cloud accounts, remote studio access, email etc) then that’s a move you should be considering.If you’re a Microsoft 365 user, you may have already seen warnings coming about transitioning users from old 2FA methods to authentication apps, or doubling up with a password and an authentication app for additional layers of security.

    5. Limit network access with defined roles for domain users

    This is possibly more of an internal matter than an external matter but if you’ve got all desktops in your radio station on your primary network, and let’s say those desktops have access to shared files, running orders, contact details, show logs and more, that’s a lot of information you’re leaving up for grabs.

    If you don’t have something in place already, consider a separate area, machine or network setup for program preparation that may allow access to the web in general, social media tools or printers. However, a better conversation starts with your network administrator in defining user roles and requirements for those accessing your network. Programming staff shouldn’t need access to commercial shares, your commercial staff shouldn’t need access to technical shares etc.

    Users could be segmented into groups (a news pool, a music pool) with access rights to certain areas of your network restricted based on their role. If everyone has the keys to the castle, who’s really minding the castle?

    6. Encrypt sensitive devices

    Do you have a laptop or network-connected device heading to an outside broadcast? Have a phone passed around the studio as ‘the social phone’? If you’ve got portable devices heading out into the wilds – and that includes station-issued mobile handsets or other IP devices – make sure that there’s a strong level of security in place.

    For Windows-based laptops, look at Bitlocker encryption, for Mac-based options look at enabling FileVault. For mobile phones, you should at the very least have SIM and device logins enabled, whether by PIN, patterns or biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint). Got social accounts running on devices? Consider implementing 2FA/MFA or adding app-specific passwords (a useful feature on Android handsets) to provide an additional layer of security.

    7. Personal device (BYOD) policies

    When it comes to personal devices, my recommendation would be that they stay off-network (or get segmented network access i.e. guest access) and they shouldn’t be used for any station-related work including mails, socials or otherwise.

    If staff or contributors need to work on their own devices for any reason, then you need to consider a BYOD or Bring Your Own Device policy. This would determine how staff, contractors and other users can use their own laptops, smartphones or other personal devices on the company network if they need to access network-stored data to perform their job duties.

    Essentially your radio station owns the data, but you don’t own the devices that are being used to access it. Options on device management, allowing apps to run in a separate partition or profile on a device can be looked at but running a BYOD policy can bring challenges. You may have to offer and provide support for devices that you’re allowing into your network, you have to be able to ensure compliance with policies and procedures (including legal), and you’ve still got to ensure your data is protected.

    If it’s something you’re looking at, this article from the National Cyber Security Centre may shed some light.

    8. Educate staff on phishing threats

    The great unknown when it comes to network security is still the human element. How many times have we heard phone-ins on talk shows discussing bank accounts being emptied, credit cards being charged, and identities being stolen because someone clicked a link in an email?

    Remember the Sony hack in 2014? It might necessitate you inserting warning messages to emails internally on delivery, cautioning staff on opening links and attachments. It may necessitate training days, webinars, or regular briefings or, as with my last point below, engaging with cybersecurity experts to help inform and educate staff.

    Come across something in the news worth sharing with your team? The last thing you’ll want is one of your own team ending up on your morning talk show about how they’ve been scammed or had their Facebook account hacked because they clicked something they shouldn’t have, let alone the greater impact that could pose to your station.

    9. Regular backups

    Nightly, daily, incremental or whole snapshots, the choice is yours. If your radio station was hacked, flooded, struck by lightning or burned to the ground in the morning, could you survive with the loss of data? Or what if someone had clicked a link in a spurious email or opened an attachment they shouldn’t have and suddenly you find you’ve been locked out of vital systems? Imagine your playout was rendered unusable, could you spin it up in the cloud? Or if the building was fine but someone happened to gain entry to your network and delete everything overnight, have you backups in place?

    If the answer is no, or not regularly, then put them on the top of your list. For playout, the likes of Myriad offers automated backup of audio and metadata to Dropbox and One Drive along with replication solutions, while RCS provide a full Disaster Recovery solution for their on-air suite.

    Don’t leave it to chance though, and when you are making backups, try to have them backed up to somewhere other than the machine you’re taking them from. Redundancy counts for a lot.

    10. Collaborate with cybersecurity experts

    You can’t know everything and can’t be expected to know everything, that’s why IT contractors and cybersecurity experts exist. If you’re already working with a third-party provider, turn the conversation from reactive to proactive and open a dialogue about your cyber security options. Talk to them about auditing your radio station’s network and assess weak points, be they hardware, software or human. There’s no silver bullet

    A final word & additional reading

    If you fear you’ve been a victim of a cybercrime or data theft, you should report the incident to your local Garda station and may need to contact the Data Protection Commission.

    This article on the new cybersecurity requirements for the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) is also worth a read to give you an idea of security steps manufacturers will have to take for products in the European market by August 2025. This article too offers a similar breakdown.

    Got a tip to share for other radio stations? Leave it in the comments below.

  • And the gold goes to: The full list of winners from the IMRO Radio Awards 2023

    And the gold goes to: The full list of winners from the IMRO Radio Awards 2023

    The who’s who of the Irish radio industry were in the Lyrath Estate Hotel on the outskirts of Kilkenny city on Friday night for the 23rd annual running of the IMRO Radio Awards.

    With some new categories in this year’s awards and a new host in the guise of Oliver Callan, we saw Clare FM’s ‘genuine connection with the local listeners and consistent content” earn them 2023’s Local Station of the Year while SPIN1038 collected the Music Station of the Year.

    With their ‘well-rounded programming and focus on listener engagement’ setting them apart, the overall National Station of the Year went to Newstalk.

    Other key winners on the night included The Big Breakfast with Brendan and Rebecca (98fm) who scooped the Breakfast Show of the Year with the overall Radio Moment of the Year going to LMFM for Losing my Boys to Suicide.

    The first award of the night, the Outstanding Achievement Award, went to Radiocentre Ireland, the body established by RTÉ and the IBI to promote audio as a marketing medium. If you’ve not crossed paths with them previously, find them online at radiocentreireland.ie.

    A: Music Programming Awards

    A1: General Music Programme

    • Gold: Dave and Fionnuala, iRadio
    • Silver: Dermot and Dave, Today FM
    • Bronze: Weekend Mix with Nadia Sakni, Live 95

    A2: Specialist Music Programme

    • Gold: The Music Tree, Radio Kerry
    • Silver: FM104’s Freaks on Friday, FM104
    • Bronze: Ambient Orbit, RTÉ Lyric FM

    A3: Breakfast Programme

    • Gold: The Big Breakfast with Rebecca and Brendan, 98FM
    • Silver: The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • Bronze: SPIN’s Fully Charged with Ed and Valerie, SPIN South West

    A4: Music Special / Music Event

    • Gold: The Belfast Mixtape, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: Barrscéalta – A Live Musical tribute to those lost Creeslough Tragedy, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Bronze: RnaG 50 – Cúige Uladh, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

    A5: IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative

    • Gold: iRadio’s iLoveIrish, iRadio
    • Silver: Irish Music Month on SPIN, SPIN1038
    • Bronze: Sessions from Oblivion, RTÉ 2XM

    B: News and Sports Programming Awards

    B1: News Story / News Event

    • Gold: Creeslough – John Cooke for RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Silver: Drug Debt and Intimidation, WLR FM
    • Bronze: Lunchtime Live – Bullying in the HSE, Newstalk

    B2: News Programme – Full Service

    • Gold: The New Prime Minister, Evening Extra, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: Morning Ireland – Tragedy Unfolds in Creeslough, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Bronze: This Week – Creeslough, RTÉ Radio 1

    B3: News Programme – Local / Regional

    • Gold: Creeslough, Highland Radio
    • Silver: WLR News @ One Tricolour Special, WLR FM
    • Bronze: Ocean FM Lunchtime News, Ocean FM

    B4: Current Affairs Programme – Full Service

    • Gold: The Hard Shoulder, Newstalk
    • Silver: On the Record, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Good Morning Mr. President, Good Morning Ulster, BBC Radio Ulster

    B5: Current Affairs Programme – Local / Regional

    • Gold: Deise Today with Damien Tiernan, WLR FM
    • Silver: Violent Schooldays, Galway Bay FM
    • Bronze: The Morning Show with Declan Meehan, East Coast FM

    B6: Sports Story

    • Gold: The Making of Chiedozie Ogbene, Newstalk
    • Silver: Frank Greally: Running Full Circle, Midwest Radio
    • Bronze: Cliona Darcy Wins Boxing Gold, Galway Bay FM

    B7: Sports Programme – Full Service

    • Gold: Off The Ball, Newstalk
    • Silver: Jacqui’s Christmas Sporting Selection Box, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Bronze: Game On, RTÉ 2FM

    B8: Sports Programme – Local / Regional

    • Gold: Connacht Club Championship Special, Galway Bay FM
    • Silver: Foyle Sportsound – FAI Cup Final, BBC Radio Foyle
    • Bronze: Radio Kerry Weekend Sports, Radio Kerry

    C: Speech Programming Awards

    C1: Documentary

    • Gold: Documentary on One: Blackrock Boys, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Silver: Falsely Accused, Clare FM
    • Bronze: Documentary on One: Minding Mary, RTÉ Radio 1

    C2: Music, Arts and Culture Documentary

    • Gold: The Irish Soundtrack, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Silver: The Dawning of the Day (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM
    • Bronze: Whatever Happened to Gertrude Page?, LMFM

    C3: Short Feature

    • Gold: Heritage Hunters, Radio Kerry
    • Silver: The Day the Box Was Seen by Jackie Browne, Radio Kerry
    • Bronze: Park Bench, RTÉ Radio 1

    C4: Magazine Programme

    • Gold: The John Toal Show, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: The Anton Savage Show, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Moncrieff, Newstalk

    C5: Drama

    • Gold: The Listener, RTÉJr Radio
    • Silver: Sniper Joe and Sister Jim, Newstalk
    • Bronze: One Day, Galway Bay FM

    C6: Specialist Speech Programme

    • Gold: Murmurations, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Silver: Talking History, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Tech Talk with Jess Kelly, Newstalk

    C7: Craoltóireacht le Gaeilge

    • Gold: Snaoisín Bán, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Silver: Dúshlán na Feirme, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Bronze: Abair Amach Éar WLR FM – Alzheimer’s Special, WLR FM

    C8: Interactive Speech Programme

    • Gold: The Stephen Nolan Show, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: Lunchtime Live, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Talkback, BBC Radio Ulster

    D: General Awards

    D1: Community / Social Action

    • Gold: Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon, Cork’s 96FM
    • Silver: FM104’s Get Lewis to The Gig, FM104
    • Bronze: Coast to Coast Challenge – Paddleboard Scotland to Northern Ireland, Cool FM

    D2: On-Air Competition / Promotion

    • Gold: Ireland’s Greatest Accent – The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • Silver: FM104’s Get Lewis to The Gig, FM104
    • Bronze: Pass the Parcel, 98FM

    D3: Station Imaging

    • Gold: SPIN1038
    • Silver: Today FM
    • Bronze: Cork’s 96FM

    D4: Entertainment Inserts

    • Gold: FM104’S Strawberry Alarm Clock, FM104
    • Silver: Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • Bronze: Bonner’s blessing on SPIN’s Fully Charged, SPIN1038

    D5: Digital and Social Innovation

    • Gold: Cathal’s Camino – Dermot and Dave, Today FM
    • Silver: FM104’s #GetLewisToTheGig, FM104
    • Bronze: Dublin Delish, 98FM

    D6: Radio Station Podcast of the Year

    • Gold: The Kinahans, Q102/Wireless/Urban Media
    • Silver: As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern and The Good Friday Agreement, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Inside the Crime: The Charles Self Murder, Newstalk

    E: People Awards

    E1: Music and Entertainment Presenter of the Year

    • Gold: Dara Quilty, Today FM
    • Silver: Dermot Whelan, Today FM
    • Bronze: Pamela Joyce, Today FM

    E2: Radio DJ of the Year

    • Gold: Simon Murdoch, Cork’s 96FM
    • Silver: Tracy Clifford, RTÉ 2FM
    • Bronze: Paul Bonass, 98FM

    E3: Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year

    • Gold: Kieran McGuinness, Radio Nova
    • Silver: J.J. O’Shea, Radio Kerry
    • Bronze: Aedín Gormley, RTÉ Lyric FM

    E4: News Broadcaster of the Year

    • Gold: Declan Harvey, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: Justin McCarthy, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Bronze: Chris Buckler, BBC Radio Ulster

    E5: News Reporter of the Year

    • Gold: John Cooke, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Silver: Barry Lenihan, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Bronze: Sean Defoe, Newstalk

    E6: Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service

    • Gold: Joe Molloy, Newstalk
    • Silver: Aisling O’Reilly, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Damie O’Meara, RTÉ Radio 1

    E7: Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional

    • Gold: Tim Moynihan, Radio Kerry
    • Silver: Donal Ryan, Ocean FM
    • Bronze: Austin O’Callaghan, Ocean FM

    E8: Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service

    • Gold: Stephen Nolan, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Silver: Ciara Kelly, Newstalk
    • Bronze: Sean Moncrieff, Newstalk

    E9: Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional

    • Gold: PJ Coogan, Cork’s 96FM
    • Silver: Neil Prendeville, Cork’s RedFM
    • Bronze: Alan Corcoran, South East Radio

    E10: The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year

    • Gold: David Nelligan, Radio Kerry
    • Silver: David Hollywood, Midlands 103
    • Bronze: Donal Ryan, Ocean FM

    F: Station of the Year Awards

    F1: Radio Moment of the Year

    • Gold: Losing My Boys To Suicide, LMFM
    • Silver: A Special GloryDaze – PJ Gallagher’s Story as told to Jim McCabe, Radio Nova
    • Bronze: The Neil Prendeville Show: “Shane Will Shine On”, Cork’s RedFM

    F2: Local Station of the Year

    • Gold: Clare FM
    • Silver: Radio Kerry
    • Bronze: Ocean FM

    F3: Music Station of the Year

    • Gold: SPIN1038
    • Silver: Cork’s 96FM
    • Bronze: 98FM

    F4: National Station of the Year

    • Gold: Newstalk
    • Silver: BBC Radio Ulster
    • Bronze: Today FM

    Full details and audio samples of the gold-winning entries will be available on imroradioawards.ie.

  • Radio competitions: On-air promotional ideas for November 2023

    Radio competitions: On-air promotional ideas for November 2023

    Much like I penned in September (for October), we’re back with a few more ideas to get the creative juices going for the month of November.

    I’ll be doing a series of posts like these over the course of a calendar year, giving some light tips and suggestions for on-air competitions and promotions that might be useful for the following month. They’ll be seasonal, some a little easier to integrate into your on-air offering than others while every now and again you might get something that will take an extra few weeks for planning and execution.

    Either way, if you’re looking at some ideas for standalone promotions or show integrations in November 2023, you’ve come to the right place. Here are seven suggestions to get you thinking.

    1. Thanksgiving recipe contest

    I’ll drop this one in here for the visitors from across the Atlantic as the US gets set for Thanksgiving at the end of the month. That said, you’ll find a lot of Irish radio stations around Thursday 23 November (that’s the date this year) tapping into their book of American contacts and contributors to discuss Thanksgiving traditions. If you’re jumping on that bandwagon, then how about a Thanksgiving recipe contest?

    Get listeners to put their best recipes forward, get them shared and get voting. Prizes could include cooking equipment, gift vouchers for local butchers or supermarkets, or go all out and offer a catered Thanksgiving dinner in a listener’s home (or even bring them into the station instead and get a few of the team around for food). If you’re considering commercial possibilities, target local food stores, kitchen appliance brands, or dealers.

    2. The Winter Warmup song contest

    In Ireland we love a good song contest so if you’re looking for a bit of craic this November, why not try out the Winter Warmup Song Contest? After all, there’s no point in waiting for the Eurovision to roll around in May when you can get stuck into the singing in just a few weeks.

    With the cold weather likely to set in for November, invite listeners to submit their favourite ‘warmup’ songs, something that gets them moving or warms their spirits. It could be a classic hit, something hot or if you’re willing to play your Christmas music early, it could be something a little festive. Best song goes to the top of the class with your prize offerings the likes of gig tickets, wireless headphones and the likes. Get listeners to send in their songs and get your final list down to 10-15. If you’ve got the songs in your library, why not shape a clock from them or get them on a playlist, spinning them across the month with a vote at the end of the month on the ultimate Winter Warmup song.

    3. Movember awareness campaign

    Is your mo’ ready for November? It’s that time of year again where those with a penchant and ability for growing facial hair can go all out on the moustache or bear front across the month before trimming it all off in the name of charity. Movember has grown into a focus on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Grow a mo, move for mental health, host a mo-ment or just “mo your own way”. Read all about it here.

    A man gets a moustache and beard trim. Photo: Cottonbro / Pexels

    If you’re looking at a campaign to target male listeners, why not get involved with Movember? Encourage the moustache-growing movement, share progress and stories, get some WhatsApp or social interaction going. You could go the whole hog and open up a voting system, team up with some men’s grooming products suppliers, maybe a local health clinic or even a barbers, with prizes on the line including grooming kits, health checkups, a hot towel shave etc.

    4. Black Friday scavenger hunt

    Production departments around radio stations in Ireland (and presumably globally) will likely be chock full of Black Friday requests, ads, campaigns and the rest. What was very much “a thing” in the US market has certainly been adopted by Irish retailers in recent years as businesses look to make the most of pre-Christmas sales with the hope of tempting customers in with some day-only to week-only offers.

    One option that’s primed for local radio stations or particular local/regional markets is a Black Friday scavenger hunt, with clues leading to local businesses offering Black Friday deals. Provide your clues on air, via social media or look to an outside broadcast for some live event participation. If single retail stores are out of reach for sponsors, look at shopping centres, town groups, maybe even e-commerce platforms or online shops. For prizes, think exclusive deals, vouchers or one-off Black Friday goodies.

    5. Thankful thoughts

    This is a little like point number one in that it has to do with giving thanks, but it could help generate some feel-good content for air. What are people thankful for? The clocks will have changed, the evenings are drawing in and November is a good month for reflection before planning ahead for Christmas and the new year. Did someone do a listener a good turn over the course of the year? Did a neighbour come to the rescue during the flood weather? Maybe you’ve got a listener who’s thankful to be alive, to have found work, found a home, got a promotion, started a new job, or taken up a new hobby?

    Whatever the case is, make a spot for sharing thankful thoughts on air and look at how they could be rewarded – do something nice in return for someone. A prize for the story of the day, or one that tugs at the heartstrings of your audience?

    6. Countdown to Christmas fitness challenge

    This November, why not encourage listeners to get out, get healthy, and boost their fitness with an on-air challenge? Like it or loath it, there will be plenty of people hoping to shed a few pounds ahead of the festive social season, and plenty more who would like to get out and about, get moving and improve their health. While gyms and fitness centres will be the target of much hype for the January market, why not get ahead of the curve and link up with a local gym, sportswear brand or health food store?

    You could offer online registration, work it in conjunction with a health/nutrition slot on-air or online, or offer up prizes like a gym membership, a fitness tracker, or an activewear wardrobe makeover. The cold and dark nights will be closing in so why not make the most of it!

    7. Photo contest: “My November”

    Years ago (and this may well be still a thing), you would have companies calling out for photos to make their annual calendar. Texaco or Top Oil may have been the front-runners in the Irish market but I stand to be corrected. How about running something similar online where you put the call out for listeners to capture what the month of November means to them in a photo – maybe it’s the turn of the leaves, their town at night, a frosty morning. Instead of a calendar, why not make the winning photograph (because you’ll need to pick a winner) your Facebook / Twitter cover photo for the month of December and show it some love on your website.

    Got something to add?

    If you’ve got something to add yourself or have a competition or promotion that you keep returning to in November and fancy sharing it with the rest of the class, drop a note in the comments area below.

  • Listen Up: Emotion’s Defining Role in Audio Advertising Effectiveness; new report launched

    Listen Up: Emotion’s Defining Role in Audio Advertising Effectiveness; new report launched

    An interesting one coming out of the UK sees System1 and Radiocentre release Listen Up!, a new publication exploring the role of emotion in audio advertising effectiveness.

    Radiocentre is the industry body for commercial radio in the UK with a focus on advertising, policy and clearance. System1 is the Creative Effectiveness Platform that harnesses the power of emotion to drive growth for the world’s leading brands. They also allow brands to compare their ads against competitors thanks to a database of over 100,000 ads. The Irish equivalent, Radiocentre Ireland, was established in 2022 by the IBI and RTÉ to promote audio as a marketing medium, with the core aim to promote the benefits of audio to advertisers and advertising agencies.

    Listen Up: Key findings

    The analysis in the publication is based on 131 radio ads, featuring effectiveness and emotional data collected from over 50,000 radio listeners and non-listeners.

    Among the findings (read about them here) you’ll find

    1. Audio ads that make listeners feel more positive drive consumer behaviour change and deliver longer-lasting brand effects.
    2. Radio is as likely to cause long-lasting effects through an emotional response as TV advertising.
    3. Well-branded (fluent) radio advertising creates bigger trust effects.
    4. Audio ads with more right-brain features are more likely to cause longer-lasting brand effects.

    Per Andrew Tindall, Listen Up! author and Global Director of System 1, “Listen Up! demonstrates how radio is the ideal environment to entertain for commercial gain. The creation of mental availability, trust & behaviour change with right-brain creative features can inspire a new generation of audio advertising.”

    The publication reveals six key take-outs that will help brands and agencies develop compelling creative for audio platforms. At the heart of these findings is the important role that feeling (i.e. positive emotion) plays in audio advertising’s short and long-term effectiveness.

    Download Links

    If you’re working in commercial production or advertising, be it radio, TV or the online space, this could be worth an hour of your time for reading.

    Get your hands on a full copy of the report here.

  • Switching off: Google Podcasts to cease in 2024 as focus shifts to YouTube Music

    Switching off: Google Podcasts to cease in 2024 as focus shifts to YouTube Music

    Joining the likes of Google Wave, Google Duo, Google Talk, Google Glass, Google+ and countless other products over the best part of the last 20 years, Google Podcasts is going in the bin.

    That might sound a bit harsh, but this week saw the announcement that Google Podcasts is sunsetting and will shut up shop in 2024, six years on from its inception. The writing may have been on the wall back in January with the removal of Google Podcasts embeds from search results.

    Per the YouTube blog, “Looking forward to 2024, we’ll be increasing our investment in the podcast experience on YouTube Music — making it a better overall destination for fans and podcasters alike with YouTube-only capabilities across community, discovery and audio/visual switching. Later in 2024, as part of this process, we’ll be discontinuing Google Podcasts. As part of this process, we’ll be helping Google Podcasts users move over to Podcasts in YouTube Music. This matches what listeners and podcasters are already doing: according to Edison, about 23% of weekly podcast users in the US say YouTube is their most frequently used service, versus just 4% for Google Podcasts.”

    With more investment into YouTube Music, the aim now seems to build out a single destination ‘that rewards creators and artists and provides fans with the best Podcasts experience’.

    Podcasts on YouTube Music

    In April this year, podcasts landed on YouTube Music – albeit in the US only – without the need for a premium subscription.

    That meant you could watch or listen to podcasts on demand, offline, in the background, while app-switching, casting etc. You could also seamlessly switch between audio-video versions on YouTube Music. While the service is yet to roll out to Ireland, it’s growing wings and should see availability in other countries later this year.

    For creators in the US, you can already upload audio and video versions of the podcast, with encouragement for audio-only podcasts to consider uploading a video with a static image, or use audiograms or other dynamic video formats. At the time of launch, it was also planned to allow the import of audio-only podcasts straight from RSS feeds to save doubling up on work.

    Looking at one of the busier podcasts I produce, I can’t say that the traffic from Google Podcasts will be missed with the likes of CasteBox, podcast Addict, Pandora and Amazon already streets ahead.

    For now, Google Podcast Manager is still available and so too is the analytics data that comes with it. For podcast listeners, they’ll be able to export their subscriptions from Google Podcasts direct to YouTube Music or else take an OPML file to upload to another podcast app.

    What I am looking forward to is seeing how the analytics will be made available and fed back to the likes of Transistor, Acast or other publishing platforms.

    Whatever the case, we’ll all find out by the end of the year.

  • The 2023 IMRO Radio Awards are just around the corner, so who’s nominated for what?

    The 2023 IMRO Radio Awards are just around the corner, so who’s nominated for what?

    The 2023 IMRO Radio Awards are set to take place at Kilkenny’s Lyrath Estate Hotel once more on Friday 6 October.

    It’s the annual gathering of the majority of the Irish radio industry, from on-air talent to front-of-house, sport, sales, production and more, save for the few souls left behind on cover shifts or late broadcasts while the party gets going on the old Dublin Road.

    Update: (7/10/23) You can now find all the winners here.

    In recent years we’ve seen the addition of the Local/Regional awards section, opening up more opportunities for the non-RTÉs and Newstalks of the world to be recognised for news and sports programming (or to stand more of a chance) while the award categories have also extended to the addition of Radio Station Podcast of the Year.

    While there may be certain favourites for categories, the variety of the judges for each category and the judging process itself means there are no usually dead certs on the night, adding to the buzz in the room.

    Last year’s big awards saw Sarah McInerney’s RTÉ Drivetime interview with Yuri Filatov scoop gold for Radio Moment of the Year, with WLR taking the gold for Local Station of the Year. Cork’s Red FM, since bought over by Bauer Media Group, was named as Music Station of the Year while the overall National Station of the Year went to Today FM, seeing off competition from Newstalk and RTÉ Radio 1.

    While serving to recognise the best of work in radio in Ireland over the past year (typically a June to May cycle), each year also sees the induction of members to the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame. This year, that honour is going to Joe Finnegan (Shannonside Northern Sound), Paddy Halpenny (former CEO, Communicorp), John Bennett MBE (BBC Radio Ulster) and Mary Wilson (RTÉ Radio 1), their induction made formal earlier this month.

    Take a look at the full list of nominees below for this year’s awards and keep an eye on Twitter/X for results on the night.

    A: Music Programming Awards

    A1: General Music Programme

    • Dave and Fionnuala, iRadio
    • Dermot and Dave, Today FM
    • Pamela Joyce, Today FM
    • The Darren and Joe show, SPIN1038
    • Weekend Mix with Nadia Sakni, Live 95

    A2: Specialist Music Programme

    • Ambient Orbit, RTÉ Lyric FM
    • American Country Show, Tipp FM
    • FM104’s Freaks on Friday, FM104
    • The Music Tree, Radio Kerry
    • The Tom Dunne Show, Newstalk

    A3: Breakfast Programme

    • Beat Breakfast, Beat 102-103
    • SPIN’s Fully Charged with Ed and Valerie, SPIN South West
    • The Big Breakfast with Rebecca and Brendan, 98FM
    • The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • 2FM Breakfast with Doireann, Donncha and Carl, RTÉ 2FM

    A4: Music Special / Music Event

    • Barrscéalta – A Live Musical tribute to those lost Creeslough Tragedy, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Lalla Roukh (Opera Night with Paul Herriott), RTÉ Lyric FM
    • Live at the Ulster Fleadh, BBC Gaeilge
    • RnaG 50 – Cúige Uladh, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • The Belfast Mixtape, BBC Radio Ulster

    A5: IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative

    • Ceol for the Soul, Galway Bay FM
    • iRadio’s iLoveIrish, iRadio
    • Irish Music Month on SPIN, SPIN1038
    • RTÉ Choice Music Prize – Song of the year – with Tracy Clifford, RTÉ 2FM
    • Sessions from Oblivion, RTÉ 2XM

    B: News and Sports Programming Awards

    B1: News Story / News Event

    • Creeslough – John Cooke for RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Drug Debt and Intimidation, WLR FM
    • Fr Sheehy and The Sinners, Radio Kerry
    • Lunchtime Live – Bullying in the HSE, Newstalk
    • The Queen’s Death, Evening Extra, BBC Radio Ulster

    B2: News Programme – Full Service

    • Morning Ireland – Tragedy Unfolds in Creeslough, RTÉ Radio 1
    • The New Prime Minister, Evening Extra, BBC Radio Ulster
    • The Stephen Nolan Show, BBC Radio Ulster
    • This Week – Creeslough, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Today FM’s 5@5, Today FM

    B3: News Programme – Local / Regional

    • FYI Galway, Galway Bay FM
    • Ocean FM Lunchtime News, Ocean FM
    • The 5.45, Tipp FM
    • Creeslough, Highland Radio
    • WLR News @ One Tricolour Special, WLR FM

    B4: Current Affairs Programme – Full Service

    • Good Morning Mr. President, Good Morning Ulster, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Newstalk Breakfast, Newstalk
    • On the Record, Newstalk
    • Taking Stock, Newstalk
    • The Hard Shoulder, Newstalk

    B5: Current Affairs Programme – Local / Regional

    • Deise Today with Damien Tiernan, WLR FM
    • Knock Knock The American President is There – The Joe Finnegan show, Shannonside Northern Sound
    • The Michael Reade Show, LMFM
    • The Morning Show with Declan Meehan, East Coast FM
    • Violent Schooldays, Galway Bay FM

    B6: Sports Story

    • A Faithful Legacy, Midlands 103
    • Cliona Darcy Wins Boxing Gold, Galway Bay FM
    • Frank Greally: Running Full Circle, Midwest Radio
    • Ón Taobhlíne: Blianta Órga: Ard Mhacha 2002, BBC Gaeilge
    • The Making of Chiedozie Ogbene, Newstalk

    B7: Sports Programme – Full Service

    • Game on, RTÉ 2FM
    • Jacqui’s Christmas Sporting Selection Box, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Off The Ball, Newstalk

    B8: Sports Programme – Local / Regional

    • Connacht Club Championship Special, Galway Bay FM
    • Foyle Sportsound – FAI Cup Final, BBC Radio Foyle
    • Radio Kerry Weekend Sports, Radio Kerry
    • RedFM’s Big Red Bench, Cork’s RedFM
    • Remembering Paudie Palmer, C103 Cork

    C: Speech Programming Awards

    C1: Documentary

    • A Man from Cork, Newstalk
    • Bottler, Brendan Grace, Clare FM
    • Documentary on One: Blackrock Boys, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Documentary on One: Minding Mary, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Extraordinary Eire, Newstalk
    • Falsely Accused, Clare FM

    C2: Music, Arts and Culture Documentary

    • Give The Beatles Back To The Irish, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Sing All Our Cares Away, RTÉ Radio 1
    • The Dawning of the Day (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM
    • The Irish Soundtrack, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Whatever Happened to Gertrude Page?, LMFM

    C3: Short Feature

    • Dear Kerry – Letters to a Kingdom, Radio Kerry
    • Henry McKean Reports, Newstalk
    • Heritage Hunters, Radio Kerry
    • Park Bench, RTÉ Radio 1
    • The Day the Box Was Seen by Jackie Browne, Radio Kerry

    C4: Magazine Programme

    • Late Lunch – Gerry Kelly, LMFM
    • Moncrieff, Newstalk
    • The Anton Savage Show, Newstalk
    • The John Toal Show, BBC Radio Ulster
    • The Saturday Social with Rachael Ryan, 98FM

    C5: Drama

    • An Eachtra, BBC Radio Ulster
    • An End of Term, Newstalk
    • One Day, Galway Bay FM
    • Sniper Joe and Sister Jim, Newstalk
    • The Listener, RTÉJr Radio

    C6: Specialist Speech Programme

    • Murmurations, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Stand out with Ian O’Connell, Radio Kerry
    • Talking History, Newstalk
    • Tech Talk with Jess Kelly, Newstalk
    • Tell Teresa, BBC Radio Ulster

    C7: Craoltóireacht le Gaeilge

    • Abair Amach Éar WLR FM – Alzheimer’s Special, WLR FM
    • An Saol Ó Dheas, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Beo ar Éigean, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Dúshlán na Feirme, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
    • Snaoisín Bán, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

    C8: Interactive Speech Programme

    • Focus on Fostering – The Jennifer Zamparelli Show, RTÉ 2FM
    • Lunchtime Live, Newstalk
    • Night Time Talk with Niall Boylan, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio
    • Talkback, BBC Radio Ulster
    • The Stephen Nolan Show, BBC Radio Ulster

    D: General Awards

    D1: Community / Social Action

    • Coast to Coast Challenge – Paddleboard Scotland to Northern Ireland, Cool FM
    • Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon, Cork’s 96FM
    • FM104’s Get Lewis to The Gig, FM104
    • Make A Wish, Newstalk
    • The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, Today FM

    D2: On-Air Competition / Promotion

    • Blue Monday, 98FM
    • FM104’s Get Lewis to The Gig, FM104
    • Gallagher’s Grand Primera with Mick’s Garage on Morning Glory with PJ and Jim, Radio Nova
    • Ireland’s Greatest Accent – The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • Pass the Parcel, 98FM

    D3: Station Imaging

    • Q Radio
    • Cork’s 96FM
    • iRadio
    • SPIN1038
    • Today FM

    D4: Entertainment Inserts

    • Bonner’s blessing on SPIN’s Fully Charged, SPIN1038
    • Emma, Dave and Aisling present Des Kelly the Musical, SPIN1038
    • FM104’S Strawberry Alarm Clock, FM104
    • Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM
    • Mollie in the Morning, Galway Bay FM

    D5: Digital and Social Innovation

    • Cathal’s Camino – Dermot and Dave, Today FM
    • Dublin Delish, 98FM
    • FM104’s #GetLewisToTheGig, FM104
    • FM104’s The Buzz, FM104
    • From Dreams to Victory: Sam Maguire Returns To The Kingdom, Radio Kerry

    D6: Radio Station Podcast of the Year

    • As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern and The Good Friday Agreement, Newstalk
    • Inside the Crime: The Charles Self Murder, Newstalk
    • Let Me Explain, Newstalk
    • The Kinahans, Q102/Wireless/Urban Media
    • Leaving Cert Music Podcast, RTÉ Lyric FM

    E: People Awards

    E1: Music and Entertainment Presenter of the Year

    • Dara Quilty, Today FM
    • Dermot Whelan, Today FM
    • Emma Nolan, SPIN1038
    • Nathan O’Reilly, FM104
    • Pamela Joyce, Today FM

    E2: Radio DJ of the Year

    • Dee Woods, Radio Nova
    • Michaela Hayes, SPIN1038
    • Paul Bonass, 98FM
    • Simon Murdoch, Cork’s 96FM
    • Tracy Clifford, RTÉ 2FM

    E3: Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year

    • Aedín Gormley, RTÉ Lyric FM
    • Ann Marie Kelly, Midlands 103
    • J.J. O’Shea, Radio Kerry
    • Kieran McGuinness, Radio Nova
    • Stephen McCauley, BBC Radio Ulster

    E4: News Broadcaster of the Year

    • Ben Finnegan, Today FM
    • Bryan Dobson, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Chris Buckler, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Declan Harvey, BBC Radio Ulster
    • Justin McCarthy, RTÉ Radio 1

    E5: News Reporter of the Year

    • Barry Lenihan, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Brian O’Connell, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Emma Tyrell, 98FM
    • John Cooke, RTÉ Radio 1
    • Sean Defoe, Newstalk

    E6: Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service

    • Aisling O’Reilly » Newstalk
    • Damien O’Meara » RTÉ Radio 1
    • Joe Molloy »Newstalk
    • John Duggan » Newstalk
    • Nathan Murphy » Newstalk

    E7: Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional

    • Austin O’Callaghan » Ocean FM
    • Donal Ryan » Ocean FM
    • Luke Liddy » Live 95
    • Ruairí O’Hagan » Cork’s RedFM
    • Shane O’Keefe » KCLR
    • Tim Moynihan » Radio Kerry

    E8: Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service

    • Ciara Kelly » Newstalk
    • Pat Kenny » Newstalk
    • Sean Moncrieff » Newstalk
    • Shane Coleman » Newstalk
    • Stephen Nolan » BBC Radio Ulster

    E9: Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional

    • Alan Corcoran » South East Radio
    • Damien Tiernan » WLR FM
    • Gerry Kelly » LMFM
    • Neil Prendeville » Cork’s RedFM
    • PJ Coogan » Cork’s 96FM

    E10: The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year

    • David Hollywood » Midlands 103
    • David Nelligan » Radio Kerry
    • Donal Ryan » Ocean FM
    • Elizabeth Hearst » Dublin’s Q102
    • Matthew Matthews » SPIN1038

    F: Station of the Year Awards

    F1: Radio Moment of the Year

    • A Special GloryDaze – PJ Gallagher’s Story as told to Jim McCabe » Radio Nova
    • Losing My Boys To Suicide » LMFM
    • My Dying Wish » Cork’s 96FM
    • Radio One News at One Robert Troy Interview » RTÉ Radio 1
    • The Neil Prendeville Show: “Shane Will Shine On” » Cork’s RedFM

    Local Station, Music Station and National Station of the Year will be announced on the night.

    If you’ve read this far, you can now find the winners here.

  • Mic’d up: Shure launch the SM7dB with built-in preamp features

    Mic’d up: Shure launch the SM7dB with built-in preamp features

    One of the world’s best-loved microphones just got a massive upgrade that’s coming to come as welcome news to broadcasters and podcasters alike.

    Considering I’ve recently put four SM7Bs into a live studio space, the SM7db will be a welcome upgrade for those who have been putting off a purchase given the typical need for extra gain in the chain. As dynamic mics go, the SM7B needs a lot of “welly” thanks to its low sensitivity. Whether you’re using something like a Cloudlifter for an extra 25db gain or another third-party preamp or maybe adding some digital gain from your console, to date, getting more from the SM7b has usually meant spending more. In my case, I’m sending 60-65dB of gain to each mic channel using an SM7B in one studio being driven by Wheatstone’s split frame LXE console.

    Now, in what should be welcome news for podcasters in particular for home podcasters, Shure have added a new member to the SM7 family some 50 years on from its introduction. The new edition brings all the traditional qualities of the SM7B and adds in a Shure-designed active preamp that provides an additional 18 or 28 dB of clean gain. That means no need for a separate preamp (that said, the technology is licensed from Cloud) and less chance of picking up hiss from other preamps or sound cards. If you don’t need the gain, you don’t use it, so you’ll still get that original SM7B performance.

    The selector switches are mounted on the rear of the microphone (see the image above).

    Cost-wise, it is pricey, roughly equating to the cost of adding a preamp, per microphone, to your setup. That is to say with the SM7B retailing around €389, the SM7dB will cost you around €589 from Thomann, £514 from StudioSpares, €591 from Amazon, so it doesn’t come cheap.

    Pricing aside, it’s a smart move from Shure and may likely see the SM7dB gain some ground with content creators with some breathing room in their wallets. I’ve not had a hands-on look at the mic itself but the short B&H review below is worth exploring for more.

    Watch: Shure SM7dB microphone review

  • Podcasting 101: 10 tips for beginners who want to start a podcast

    Podcasting 101: 10 tips for beginners who want to start a podcast

    Starting a podcast can be an exciting venture, with low barriers to entry, that can ultimately give you a platform to share your passion, knowledge, or stories with a global audience.

    Note: This post contains affiliate links to podcast hosts, meaning should you choose to sign up for a host from my link, I may receive a small commission.

    If you’re thinking about starting your own podcast, the odds are you’re already listening to podcasts so you may have some idea how things come together. If not, but you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of podcasting, this post series should help. I’m calling it Podcasting 101 and over the course of six posts you’ll be able to get a feel for what you need to do to start a podcast and believe it or not, for me at least, it all begins with a pen before you go near a microphone.

    To get this series underway, I’m going to share ten things you should do ahead of your first podcast release. You’ll find more podcasting posts and tutorials here on the blog that delve into these topics a little deeper.

    10 things to do when starting a podcast

    1. Define your niche

    Before you hit record, it’s crucial to define your podcast’s niche. Yes (and with apologies), it sounds like a very American thing to say. Just don’t pronounce it as nitch. Essentially, before you hit record or open your mouth, know what it is you’re going to be talking about and what the focus of your podcast is. Is it about general health? Is it something more specific like dealing with diabetes? Is it a football podcast, or a Liverpool football podcast? As yourself, what topics will you cover? Who is your target audience? A well-defined niche helps you create focused, engaging content that will appeal to a specific listener demographic.

    2. Plan your format

    Podcasts come in various formats, from solo and co-hosted shows to interviews, narratives, and round-table discussions. Decide on the format that best suits your content and presenting style. For me, my first season of the ‘Food In 5 Minutes’ was a ‘solo cast’ i.e. just me, discussing the food news of the week, for five minutes.

    A podcast running order. Photo: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels
    A podcast running order. Photo: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels

    For The Football Manager Football Show, the format is clear – co-hosts with a back-and-forth on a specific set of topics. Ask yourself, what should my presentation sound like and, just as important, how long will my podcast be? If you’re aiming for 60 minutes, be sure you can fill 60 minutes and do it regularly (see my final point).

    If you need help with formats, here are 6 reasons your podcast needs a running order.

    3. Craft engaging content

    Cash was king until contactless came in. No matter what they tell you though, content is most definitely king. Once you’ve got your format decided, you should plan out your podcasts meticulously, ensuring they offer value to your listeners. Whether it’s entertainment, education, or inspiration, your content should be compelling and well-organised. Being strict from the offset will reap dividends down the road.

    4. Invest in quality equipment

    Good audio quality is non-negotiable. As someone working in commercial radio, I can tell you with no uncertainty – there is no excuse for poor-quality audio. If you’ve got a budget, invest in a decent microphone, headphones, and an audio interface. You don’t need a professional studio, but a quiet, suitable recording space is essential.

    If you’re planning on recording everything on your phone and you don’t have the budget to spend on hardware, aim for as clean a sound as possible, avoiding wind, plosives and pops. I’ll be honest – I’ve switched off or abandoned more podcasts in recent years because audio quality lets the hosts or guests down. When your listener only has a finite amount of time and you’re hoping they’ll spend it on your podcast, you should be delivering a polished product.

    And if you’re planning on going down the video podcasting route, investing in quality equipment becomes a bigger task when you have to start budgeting for cameras or editing software. But if you’re delivering quality audio straight out of the traps, you’re already streets ahead of so many other podcasts.

    5. Learn basic audio or video editing

    Do yourself a favour and familiarise yourself with audio editing software. Yes, there are tools and services that allow you to record a podcast without the need for any editing software (hello, Anchor), but learning basic editing skills can significantly enhance your podcast’s sound quality, help remove awkward silences, umms, aahs, and background noise.

    Cool Edit Pro. Screenshot: Ken McGuire
    Cool Edit Pro. Screenshot: Ken McGuire / KCLR

    Whether you’re running a 20-year-old version of Cool Edit, a free version of Audacity or the latest versions of Adobe Audition or ProTools, do yourself a favour and get comfortable with the basics of audio editing. You don’t need to spend on the software, but you should get a feel for how you can tighten your final file before uploading.

    6. Create eye-catching artwork

    Your podcast’s cover art is the first thing potential listeners see. Design eye-catching, professional artwork that accurately represents your podcast’s content and tone.

    Podcast artwork.
    Example podcast artwork.

    You can direct potential listeners to your podcast by any means, but if you’re hoping to catch casuals browsing through Apple Podcasts or Spotify, a visual that pops will go a long way.

    7. Write a compelling podcast description

    When it comes to listing your podcast on different directories or aggregators (think Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Spotify etc.), you’ve got room for a few lines that will help sell your audience on what your podcast is about.

    As an example, I’ve been listening to a lot of True Spies this year, great on late-night walks. Would this capture your attention?

    “True Spies takes you inside the world’s greatest espionage and detective operations. Our hosts Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Sophia Di Martino and Daisy Ridley talk to the real spies behind the missions. What do they know? What are their skills? And what would you do in their position? We explore and investigate real life thrillers, mysteries and crimes – stories that prove truth is stranger than fiction!”

    In three lines we know exactly what the podcast is about, who the hosts are and what listeners can expect for each episode. Find it on Spotify here.

    So craft yourself a concise, engaging podcast description that outlines your show’s content and unique selling points. Again, your podcast description can help you stand out in podcast directories and attract your target audience.

    8. Choose a Hosting Platform

    Now you’ve got yourself a niche, a format, a name, some snazzy artwork and a compelling description, it’s time to put your podcast live. To do that, you’ll need to select a reliable podcast hosting platform to store and distribute your audio files. Your host should offer sufficient storage, bandwidth, and distribution options to major podcast directories as a standard.

    Gone are the days of having to host a podcast yourself and build your own RSS feeds (been there, done that). Instead, there are plenty of platforms that will see you right, offer embeddable players, dedicated podcast websites, transcription services and more.

    Some providers will charge you per podcast hosted, others will charge you based on downloads but allow you to set up as many podcasts as you like. Where you end up may be decided by your budget, but you’ll find some free and paid options below.

    I’ll break down the best and worst sides of podcast hosts in a later post along with DIY options on hosting your own without the restrictions of a third-party host.

    9. Promote your podcast

    When you’ve got your first episode published, it’s time to leverage social media, your website, and other channels to promote your podcast.

    If you’re opening up social profiles specifically for your podcast, then start by going to where your audience is going to be found. If you’re business and technology-driven, maybe LinkedIn is a good place to start. For The Football Manager Football Show, Twitter was always going to be the place to get up and running first because that’s where a lot of the conversations around the game happen in the open.

    Check Discord servers that you’re registered with, forums, Facebook groups, and friendly Reddit threads or start at the beginning and drop an email to friends and family to let them know you’re up and running.

    As you grow your podcast archive, engage with your audience, encourage subscriptions, promote back-episodes (previous releases) and ask for reviews to help boost your podcast’s visibility.

    10. Stay consistent

    I hinted at point number 10 at the outset, but consistency is key to building and maintaining an audience. Knowing your format is one thing, but being able to hit your releases consistently is such a big thing. There’s nothing that grinds my gears like a podcast advertised as ‘weekly’ only to see three or four weeks between episodes, with the next release finding the host beginning the podcast with an apology. .

    You can either stick to the schedule you’ve planned or you can’t. If you can’t, find one that you can stick to, releasing episodes regularly, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, and keep your content fresh and engaging.

    Any advice?

    So there you have it – 10 things you can do when starting a podcast that will hopefully make your experience, and that of your potential listeners, better.

    I’ll go into more detail at a later date but if you’ve read through the above and you’ve got something to add or a tip that you find useful, sound off in the comments below. Above all else, enjoy the process. Podcasting should be a fun, rewarding experience and if you’re passionate, know your audience and have a plan you can stick to, it won’t be long before you start reaping those rewards.