麻豆社

It was part of the Trust's review of all the 麻豆社's radio stations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the latest in the Trust's rolling programme which sees each 麻豆社 service evaluated at least once every five years, and the review included a public consultation, audience research and discussions with local licence fee payers led by the Trust's Audience Council for Northern Ireland.

The findings include:

听

• Nine out of 10 listeners say that Radio Ulster/Foyle provides them with high quality and impartial news, as well as a better understanding of news in Northern Ireland; and that the service highlights social issues and supports music from Northern Ireland;
• Radio Ulster/Foyle reaches more than a third (37 per cent) of the population in Northern Ireland each week, more than any other radio station in Northern Ireland; and listeners tune in for longer than to any other 麻豆社 radio station in Northern Ireland;
• Nine out of 10 listeners (92 per cent) say that Radio Ulster/Foyle is value for money; and
• 81 per cent of listeners say that Radio Ulster/Foyle gives them something they cannot get elsewhere.

听

麻豆社 Trustee for Northern Ireland Rotha Johnston said:

"Radio Ulster/Foyle is clearly highly valued and well liked by listeners across Northern Ireland. Appreciation of its news and broad range of quality programming is a real vote of confidence in the station. But there are areas to build on - we support the 麻豆社's plans to do more to meet audience demand in areas like educational content; we would also like the station to do more in partnership with the 麻豆社's radio stations for Scotland and Wales in areas like commissioning and talent development in future."

The Trust has also recommended that a cross-nation benchmarking group should be established to better understand variations in production costs.

As part of this review, the Trust asked the Executive to develop their strategies for each of the radio stations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Trust recognises that these strategies may need to be adjusted to take into account the savings needed across the 麻豆社 as a result of the licence fee settlement and the 'Delivering Quality First' process, however the Trust's priority will be to ensure that the stations remain high quality and distinctive.

Notes to Editors

The Trust began its review of the radio stations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in October 2010 and included a 12 week consultation with licence fee payers. This was promoted on the services themselves and online. The consultation received around 1,500 responses from licence fee payers and industry stakeholders. The Trust also drew on a range of audience research, performance monitoring and financial analysis.

The Trust is committed to reviewing each 麻豆社 service at least every five years. This is the ninth service review completed by the Trust.

The RAJAR results for Quarter 2 2011 show that Radio Ulster/Foyle's reach has increased to 40.6 per cent.