Christmas FM is Ireland's radio station dedicated to Christmas themed music. 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 SouthEast of Ireland were added in 2010. 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 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, all aimed at creating the 'Magic of Christmas'. 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, 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 text, on-line donation and in-branch donation. 100% of listener donations go directly to the chosen charity. Charity partners for the last decade 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.
Online stations
Christmas FM also operates four online only Christmas themed music stations - Classic Christmas FM, Classical Christmas FM, Christmas FM North Pole and Christmas FM UK. All stations are available to listen through the station website, mobile apps, Alexa, TuneIn or LiveRadio.
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. The founders and/or managers of the station were Paul Shepard, Walter Hegarty, Garvan Rigby, Daragh O'Sullivan and the late Jim Kenny. Presenters include: Keith Shanley, Niall O'Keeffe, Ray Jackson, Walter Hegarty, Garvin Rigby, Daragh O'Sullivan/Steve Davitt, Chris Murray, Hugh O'Brien, Mike Moloney, Lyndsey Dolan, Dave Hynes, Andrea Hayes, Jim Kenny, Niall Boylan, Derek Jones, Jacki Ascough, Shane Pearse, Simon Young, Chris Barry, Damien Allen, Tommy Green, Hugh Browne, Chris Maher, Niall Cassidy, Stevie Bolger, Electric Eddie, Mike Eastwood, Gary Matthews, Declan Ralph, Noel Shannon, Noel McCaul, Paul Scanlon, Ollie Clarke, Isobel Tobin, Tony Scott, Lucianne White, Wendy Grace, Mathieu Norrie, Enda Caldwell, Bernie Jameson, Ray G, Brendan Flanagan, Amanda Brunker, Mike Williams, Mark Manning, Stephen Keogh, Gareth O'Connor, Gerry Wilson, Shay Harford, Mike Ryan, Karl Tsigdinos, Keane Harley, Gareth O'Connor, Marty Miller, Fergal Mitchell, Ryan Phillips and Dermot Breen.
