Communicorp

Communicorp Group Limited
Limited company
Industry Mass media (radio stations)
Founded 1989 (1989)
Headquarters Dublin, Ireland
Key people
 Denis O'Brien (owner)
Lucy Gaffney (chairperson)
Gervaise Slowey (CEO)
Number of employees
 1000+
Website www.communicorp.ie

Communicorp is a media holding company based in Ireland and owned wholly by the Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien.

History

Communicorp Group Ltd was formed by Denis O'Brien in 1989. It launched its radio operations in Ireland that same year and entered the Czech Republic in 1992. It later added stations in Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary and Ukraine.[1] Based in Dublin, the company now owns 42 radio stations in eight European countries, including Ireland's Newstalk, Today FM, Dublin's 98, SPIN 1038 and SPIN South West. O'Brien owns in its entirety Ireland's independent national radio (all stations apart from those run by state broadcaster RTÉ).[2]

O'Brien's Communicorp was the highest bidder for Emap's Irish operations when that company decided to sell its radio stations, buying FM104, Highland Radio and Today FM on 14 July 2007.[1][3][4] In October 2007, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) approved Communicorp's proposed takeover of Today FM and Highland Radio, but not FM104.[5][6] The deal was completed by January 2008.[7] Due to a Competition Authority decision, Communicorp was required to sell-on FM104, which it did (to UTV Media) immediately upon its acquisition. O'Brien offloaded Highland Radio in mid-2008.[8][9]

It opened two radio stations in Jordan in 2008.

On 21 July 2008, a joint bid from Boxer TV Access and Communicorp, supported by BT Ireland, were successful in obtaining three digital terrestrial television multiplex contracts from the BCI. Boxer DTT Limited withdrew from its agreement to provide a DTT platform on 20 April 2009.

In September 2012 Communicorp launched their only digital radio station FRQ.fm

On 6 February 2014, Communicorp announced it would be acquiring eight UK stations from Global Radio, subject to review by Ireland's Competition Authority.[10] The stations were required to be sold off by the Competition Commission following Global's acquisition of GMG Radio in 2012. The formation of Communicorp UK on the 1st April 2014, headquartered at Laser House, Manchester, allows Communicorp UK to be operated as a standalone entity.

Stations

Apart from its dominance of the Republic of Ireland's national radio (where it owns all stations apart from state broadcaster RTÉ), Communicorp owns stations in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia and Ukraine.[11]

Czech Republic
  • Kiss 98
  • Kiss Hady
  • Kiss Morava
  • Kiss Publikum
  • Kiss Jizni Cechy
  • Kiss Delta
  • Kiss Proton
  • Country Radio
  • Radio Beat
  • Radio Jizera
  • Radio Spin
  • Radio 1
Hungary
  • Juventus Radio
Latvia
Estonia
Finland
  • Radio SuomiPop
  • Groove FM
  • Classic Radio
  • Metro FM
Ukraine
  • Nashe Radio Network
  • NRJ
Bulgaria
Jordan
  • Spin FM
  • Ayyam FM

ICAN Interactive

Communicorp also have a majority interest in ICAN an interactive PR agency in the Irish online advertising market.

References

  1. 1 2 "Denis O'Brien's Communicorp to acquire Irish radio stations -Today FM, FM104 and Highland Radio - in €200m deal". Finfacts. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Byrne, Elaine (16 October 2011). "So who's afraid of Denis O'Brien? Enda Kenny is". Sunday Independent.
  3. ↑ "Emap sells radio stations to O'Brien". RTÉ News. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "O'Brien buys Emap radio stations in €200m deal". The Irish Emigrant. 18 July 2007. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Blow for O'Brien's €200m radio bid". Irish Examiner. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Beesley, Arthur (9 October 2007). "Denis O'Brien cannot buy FM104 as part of €200m deal". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Hancock, Ciarán (12 January 2008). "O'Brien seals €200m deal for Emap's three Irish radio outlets". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Denis O'Brien sells Highland Radio". The Irish Emigrant. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Hancock, Ciarán (12 January 2008). "O'Brien sells Highland Radio". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Martin, Roy (2014-02-06). "Communicorp buys 8 Global stations". RadioToday. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  11. ↑ http://nasimjo.blogspot.com/2008/02/exclusive-radio-news-european-brand.html
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