Investors buy out two Cork stations
IRISH TIMES 1^st March 1996

UTV takeover approved 1^st February 2001
Tanaiste Mary Harney has given the go-ahead for the £31m takeover of County Media by UTV under national mergers and takeovers legislation. Last Monday, the Irish Radio and Television Commission blocked the bid because it ran contrary to their policy on local and diverse ownership within the broadcast sector - including the IRTC's 27% ownership guideline. Both County Media and UTV have issued statements saying they are awaiting clarification of the decision from the IRTC before deciding their next moves. County Media owns three radio stations in Co Cork, 96FM, County Sound North in Mallow and County Sound West in Bandon.

Fat lady yet to sing in Cork radio decision
SUNDAY BUSINESS POST 4th February 2001

UTV and CML may sue IRTC
SUNDAY BUSINESS POST 4th February 2001

UTV deal gets IRTC approval 27^th February 2001
The Independent Radio and Television Commission have given their approval - in principle at least - to a 60% UTV purchase of Cork's County Media which includes three local radio stations. Last month, the Commission blocked a 100% takeover by UTV because it contravened their guidelines on local ownership but, according to IRTC chairman Mr Conor J. Maguire SC, the new bid satisfies the majority of the Commission's board that there will be a majority of local people on County Media's board following the takeover. Sitting on the new board would be two people from County Media, two from UTV and an independent local chairperson. Existing staff will stay in place. Although the current bid was still what Mr Maguire called an 'exception' to IRTC guidelines which prevent more than a 27% controlling interest by an existing media group in any other, he states that the rules have not been changed by default. The guidelines are due to be discussed in April.

UTV want it all 28^th February 2001
UTV still want to have a 100% controlling interest in Cork's County Media, the company who own three licensed radio stations in the area. Having bought out 60% of the company for £17.1m, UTV now say that they are in a position to have the remaining 40% sold to a third party if a full takeover is not given IRTC approval.

UTV still want it all 18^th April 2001
UTV are still hopeful that the IRTC will allow a full takeover of County Media. They have already acquired 60% of the Cork-based company, which owns the three local independent radio stations. The IRTC have said that a decision will not be made until March 2002. A company has been set up which is owned 60% by UTV and 40% by County Media. The plan is that if the 100% deal is not approved, UTV may sell off County Media's share to a third party.

Survive it to drive it
For update click here

€10,000 Squared 8th October 2002
Hot on the heels of last week's Survive It To Drive It competition, Cork's 96FM & 103FM have announced another giveaway which will take place on the airwaves of Cork City and County.
From October 14th next, 96FM & 103FM will qualify 100 finalists through a series of on-air games to take part in the '€10,000 cash drop', which the stations claim is Cork's biggest ever cash giveaway. The final will take place on November 6th at Cork Racecourse in Mallow. One listener will walk away €10,000 richer, with the money literally falling from the sky.
Each of the 100 qualifiers will be allocated a number and on November 6th, this number will correspond to a square of ground at the Racecourse. All of the qualifiers will watch a helicopter take to the air over the ground. At some point that morning, a bag containing €10,000 will be dropped from the helicopter to the ground onto the 100 squares. Whoever has the square where the money lands will walk away €10,000 richer.

103FM's flagship show to set sail 28^th August 2003
Cork 103FM's 'The West Cork Today Show' will be exchanging the airwaves for sea waves tomorrow when it broadcasts live from the missile destroyer, USS The Sullivans. The ship is moored near Castletownbere for the 400th year anniversary of O'Sullivan Beara's historic march from Beara to Co. Leitrim. Presenter John Greene will be interviewing the ship's captain and one or two of the 370 strong crew recently returned from active duty.
This unique broadcast will be aired between 10am and 2pm and the 103fm Street Fleet will be there to add to the festival atmosphere.

The Fugitive is on the loose again 16^th April 2004
Cork sister stations 96FM & 103FM have unleashed their 'Find the Fugitive' competition on their listeners again, following two previous successful runs. On the loose since Monday morning at 8am, a total of €400,000 cash prizes are on the line over the next 6 weeks for anyone who tracks down The Fugitive. Three clues are given out on air each day on the stations.

BCI signs contract with County Media 22^nd October 2004
The BCI have announced the signing of a ten year sound broadcasting contract with County Media Limited - trading as Cork's 96FM & 103FM County Sound - to continue to provide local sound broadcasting services for the franchise areas of Cork City and County. The stations will continue to provide radio services that inform, entertain and interact with people from all walks of life, all socio-demographic groups and all tastes and values, underpinned by a strong local ethos. Both stations provide music spanning the past number of decades to cater for the target audience.
103FM County Sound will also continue to run an opt-out service for the West Cork region which consists of eight hours of programming for the area. This service provides localised versions of news, current affairs, music and sport within West Cork.
Speaking at the signing the BCI's Chairman Conor J. Maguire said: "I would like to congratulate Cork's 96FM / 103FM County Sound on today's contract signing and to thank all involved in finalising the details of the contract. I am confident that both services will continue to maintain the high standards of programming for the listeners of Cork City and County. We wish the stations every success in the years ahead."