The changing face of the media scene in Galway will accelerate over the next few weeks as the CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ) complete deliberations on the separate acquisitions of Galway Bay FM and the Connacht Tribune newspaper.
The Commission has invited submissions on the acquisitions and the closing deadline for Phase One submissions by third parties to the Tribune sale is today Thursday (June 12 ) while the deadline for submissions by third parties to the Galway Bay FM sale is Monday next, June 16.
However both sales, which have been under negotiation for many months, are expected to proceed smoothly without any objections.
The Connacht Tribune is to be acquired by Formpress, which is part of the corporate group of Media Concierge (Holdings ) Limited, a holding company owned by Malcolm Denmark and based in the UK. In Ireland, Formpress owns and operates a number of local and regional newspaper titles and newspaper websites.
Galway Bay FM is to be acquired by Bay Broadcasting, owners of Ireland’s leading independent radio stations including Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8.
The Tribune was first published in May 1909. Two decades later the group introduced the Connacht Sentinel, which ceased publication some years ago, and the Galway City Tribune was added by the group in 1984.
The radio sale marks a significant expansion of Bay Broadcasting’s footprint across Ireland and reaffirms its commitment to its local radio investments in Ireland.
The purchase is subject to CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ) and also subject to Ministerial approval.
In a statement to the Advertiser, Kevin Branigan, Director of Bay Broadcasting, said that Galway Bay FM stands out as one of Ireland’s most respected local stations, with a loyal audience and a strong local identity.
“It’s one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station’s proud position as the leading radio service in Galway”.
Speaking on behalf of the departing shareholders of Galway Bay FM, Peter Allen, Chairman said, “There were several interested parties, but Bay Broadcasting was the clear choice. Their respect for local radio, strong track record, and Irish ownership aligned with everything we’ve worked to build over decades really stood out.
“The shareholders – many of whom are families with generations of involvement – wanted to ensure that the station’s future remained rooted in Galway. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and confident that Galway Bay FM will be in excellent hands,” he said.
Galway Bay FM launched in 1989 under the name Radio West, rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which owned a 27% stake, became sole owners in 2006.
Bay Broadcasting is a privately-owned Irish media company co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan. It operates Dublin’s top leading music radio stations – Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 – along with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, and is Ireland’s only multicity radio station.
With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting will become, behind German-owned Bauer, the second largest radio group in Ireland - and the only Irish-owned radio group, making Bay now larger than Onic (formerly Wireless ), operators of FM104/Q102 in Dublin, 96FM/103FM in Cork, Live 95 In Limerick and LMFM in Louth/Meath.
