With 413,000 listeners on a daily basis and a National Market Share of 6.7% year on year, Newstalk is the second most listened to station in Ireland, ahead of RTÉ, 2FM and Today FM.

According to the latest JNLR figures, the station’s flagship drive-time programmes have recorded major growth in audience.

Now Ireland’s biggest radio show outside of RTÉ, The Hard Shoulder with Ivan Yates has grown its audience by 25,000 over the last year to reach 182,000 listeners.

Newstalk Breakfast with Shane Coleman and Kieran Cuddihy has grown by 4,000 since this time last year and now has 125,000 listeners every morning.

Newstalk has 742,000 listeners each week and in the commercially important 20-44 year old age group, Newstalk was 11% listened yesterday, level with RTÉ Radio 1.

Newstalk Managing Editor Patricia Monahan said: “Newstalk has had a strong year delivering informative, engaging and entertaining radio.

“We are delighted to retain our position as the second most listened to station in Ireland and to see our drive-time shows, Newstalk Breakfast and The Hard Shoulder, become increasingly popular.