Will Leahy show axed

Rock Solid

The More Music Drive is to be axed, The show has been on air for seven years and Will didnt sound happy today, Ive been listening for several years and like his upbeat style and format, why dont they get rid of Larry Gogan and Dave Fanning ? Colm Hayes show has been crap l

Lisha

Disappointed for Will . Prob the only show on 2fm that does not annoy me

mrsdewinter

Wait - what?
Source?

fuerte1976

Source ?

Will Leahy Himself on this evenings show, agree he didn't sound too chuffed ...

Horsetiger

Absolute disgrace. One of the only things I still liked about 2fm was the use of regional studios that no other station can do - i.e. Breakfast from Galway, Will Leahy from Limerick, Michael Cahill from Cork etc... RTE2FM have obviously decided that their Dublin listeners are more important despite the fact that they have a much stronger listenership in Munster and Connaught. Although I preferred Will's show when he used to have interviews and live music, this latest move is too much for me - I'm off to TodayFM!

dr Golden

Rock Solid wrote: »

The More Music Drive is to be axed, The show has been on air for seven years and Will didnt sound happy today, Ive been listening for several years and like his upbeat style and format, why dont they get rid of Larry Gogan and Dave Fanning ? Colm Hayes show has been crap l

Fanning and Gogan are moving to weekend slots also

Patty O Furniture

dr Golden wrote: »

Fanning and Gogan are moving to weekend slots also

They dont know what they're doing in that station as Fanning & Gogan were already on w/ends before they got shifted to weekdays

mrsdewinter wrote: »

Wait - what?
Source?

It was a shock when i saw a twitter link here & press release here

I haven't listened to Will Leahy in a long while, as someone else has Todayfm on in the background, but he wasn't the worst, i'd have moved that big ballbag that is Hayes to w/ends.

Its gonna be called now The Less Music Drive/More Drivel Show

Here's what the official 2fm facebook page says

It's a good thing Will has a side job as he was a solicitor before radio,

Skid X

Horsetiger wrote: »

Absolute disgrace. One of the only things I still liked about 2fm was the use of regional studios that no other station can do - i.e. Breakfast from Galway, Will Leahy from Limerick, Michael Cahill from Cork etc... RTE2FM have obviously decided that their Dublin listeners are more important despite the fact that they have a much stronger listenership in Munster and Connaught.

I don't see how the location of a studio makes a show any better.

If anything, having presenters scattered all over the country disrupts any semblance of continuity in a Station's schedule (although that does not appear to be something 2FM have any interest in).

Lisha

Aww just saw it confirmed on FB.
Disgusted to say the least

JP Liz V1

Such a shame

Mr.Prodston

I listen to the radio very rarely but if I do happen to be in the car at around 4:30 it's hands down Will Leahy I'd listen to. Absolutely shocking decision and I sure as hell will be keeping away from 2fm for the foreseeable future. Whatever is going on there is disgusting!

purplecow1977

Mr.Prodston wrote: »

I listen to the radio very rarely but if I do happen to be in the car at around 4:30 it's hands down Will Leahy I'd listen to. Absolutely shocking decision and I sure as hell will be keeping away from 2fm for the foreseeable future. Whatever is going on there is disgusting!

Wholeheartedly agree.
Am very disappointed with the news.
Today FM? Bleugh.

Rock Solid

Maybe RTE will think twice before Monday, If not there gonna loose listeners, I wont be tuning into Colm Hayes.Nicki Hayes was great and they got rid of her.

dpofloinn

So which one of the Donnybrook luvvies will take over?

cena

Rock Solid wrote: »

Maybe RTE will think twice before Monday, If not there gonna loose listeners, I wont be tuning into Colm Hayes.Nicki Hayes was great and they got rid of her.

Nicki Hayes was great. She a great radio voice.

MJ23

Who will they get to count down to Friday now?

QuiteInterestin

So disappointed, love the Will Leahy show, always found it had the right mix of music and chat for the drive home from work. Made going to the gym after work a bit easier too being able to listen to it. Total opposite to the seriousness of Today FM show on at the same time. Never really listened to Colm Hayes so can't comment on what he'll be like, though can't see why they have to change it, if it isn't broke etc

shabba man

I seldom read a thread where I agree with every poster, so this is a first. It's bad enough to be replaced, but to be replaced by Colm Hayes is a sure fire slap in the gob. I confess that in former years I quite enjoyed Hayes, but since joining 2FM, he has become a complete pain in the backside. The more Music Drive is the only show on 2FM that sounds anything like a National station show. Seems to be the lesser talented, white haired boy Hayes, has certainly endeared himself with the this wigs in Montrose.

QuiteInterestin

Just had a quick glance through the 2Fm Facebook page, hundreds of people posting in complaint about the Will Leahy show being axed, 2Fm could be losing alot of listeners it seems.

Rabbo

Disgusted by this. Will Leahy is by far their most talented presenter. It looks like they are trying to cut out the regional broadcasting especially with the very Dublin-centric Colm Hayes taking over

dr Golden

People complain when 2fm don't make changes and people complain when they do ! People have been crying out for change at that station for years and now that its finally happening people moan about it

Rabbo

Most of us would agree that the station needs radical change but I don think shipping their best presenter to the weekend is very constructive.

MJ23

Rabbo wrote: »

especially with the very Dublin-centric Colm Hayes taking over

And his 'Man United' shyte.

marno21

dr Golden wrote: »

People complain when 2fm don't make changes and people complain when they do ! People have been crying out for change at that station for years and now that its finally happening people moan about it

People moan about no change because most of 2fm's schedule before recent times was all over the place. Now people moan about change cos it's worse now. Drivetime was easily the best show on the station and it would have had much better listenership if it wasn't preceeded by the mess that has come before it for quite a long time. Colm Hayes is only going to make the situation because a) he's a very difficult person to listen to, b) he doesn't suit their target demographic and c) anyone who will put up with him pprobably won't like 2fm's music policy

Lets see how it goes but I can't see this ending well

bbability

I wonder if broadcasting from Limerick was an costing issue similar to Hector from Galway? It must have been costing money to run both studios every day..

6781

I think there are a lot more shows on 2FM that could have got the bullet before this one. I wasn't a big fan of the show but I didn't mind it either and would listen to it regularly. He sounded pissed. What's his ratings like?

ford fiesta

What's the bets Will Leahy's weekend shows on Sat & Sun will be recorded?...like Damien Farallys "90s, 00s and Now" at that time on Sat.

If John Clarke's biggest jukebox is axed (which I hope will never happen!!) there will be even more anger amongst the listeners.

stop animal cruelty

6781 wrote: »

I think there are a lot more shows on 2FM that could have got the bullet before this one. I wasn't a big fan of the show but I didn't mind it either and would listen to it regularly. He sounded pissed. What's his ratings like?

very good ratings, prob the most popular show on 2fm

Rock Solid

I hope Wll and the people in RTE are reading this and Facebook posts, he only got notice today, same with Nicky Hayes she got a call after her show, we the licence payers should have some say in the running of RTE.

dr Golden

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

very good ratings, prob the most popular show on 2fm

Nope, the top 5 shows on 2fm in 2013 were Tubridy, Colm Hayes, Hector, Fanning on Saturday, John Clarke.

chilloutrelax

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

very good ratings, prob the most popular show on 2fm

Definitely not, have a look at the attached.

uisce33

Gutted to say the least,love will the best dj 2fm have.

Meangadh

Aw I'm really disappointed about this too. Really enjoyed listening to Will coming home from work. I listen to Matt Cooper a lot too but I would switch back to Will and generally stay with him- I won't be doing that with Colm Hayes, I'm not really a fan. Stupid decision I think.

Conor84

Like others, I am very disappointed too. Probably one of the best programmes on 2fm and I liked Will Leahy as a DJ.

I remember him years ago being on Sunday nights at school and that show was good too. Then on the Saturday Show and that was really good at that time. It seemed that effort had gone into the show - I remember Pat the Security Guard, DJ Gary, Family Four Tunes, 21sts ... really was an upbeat show and a good mix of music.

He was well suited then in the evenings for the last few years (is it really 7?). I liked listening going home or in the gym - again good upbeat stuff and a good mix of music. Liked all the bits and pieces - special song, school disco, the Irish song or song theme when they did that just before 7pm.

Lately the music mix had changed alot with the new music policy. The cheesy power ballads and older stuff disappeared which was a shame as I liked it mixed in with the current stuff. I felt like the show lost something then. I remember a few weeks ago John Clarke on the Jukebox saying that he would be always arguing with Will about playing Electric Dreams yet again - is apparently one of his faves - but that had all changed now that the 'music police' had arrived. He gets away with alot of anti-management comments.

He definitely sounded disappointed this evening although he was saying all the right things. If they are going for a younger audience replacing a 40ish (guess) DJ with a mid 50s DJ doesn't seem to make sense.

His new slot 5-7 on Saturday and Sunday seems to be a bit of a graveyard slot for DJs - suppose it will be the end of Michael Cahill and Damien Farrelly (great programme starting out when it was live but then sounded just lazy with when it was pre-recorded). Aidan Leonard had that slot before he moved upstairs. Hopefully Will will make it work though and it will be something to look forward to on weekend evenings

Mr Pseudonym

dr Golden wrote: »

Nope, the top 5 shows on 2fm in 2013 were Tubridy, Colm Hayes, Hector, Fanning on Saturday, John Clarke.

Conor84 wrote: »

He definitely sounded disappointed this evening although he was saying all the right things. If they are going for a younger audience replacing a 40ish (guess) DJ with a mid 50s DJ doesn't seem to make sense.

I'm not sure what's going on in 2FM (is anyone), but I don't think they were going after the "youth" market with this move: AFAIK, Leahy had the highest under-34 share of any RTE programme, for the last three years, so shunting him to the weekend would hardly fit that strategy. It would seem to me that they identified the morning slot as having the most opportunity for gains, and had to accommodate the well remunerated Colm Hayes in a high-profile slot.

Hannibal Smith

shabba man wrote: »

I seldom read a thread where I agree with every poster, so this is a first. It's bad enouhe's to be replaced, but to be replaced by Colm Hayes is a sure fire slap in the gob. I confess that in former years I quite enjoyed Hayes, but since joining 2FM, he has become a complete pain in the backside. The more Music Drive is the only show on 2FM that sounds anything like a National station show. Seems to be the lesser talented, white haired boy Hayes, has certainly endeared himself with the this wigs in Montrose.

I agree. ..colm was fantastic on the strawberry alarm clock. ..but 2fm has changed him. He was witty and funny...but for me..hes too aggressive. That kind of enthusiasm is great for mornings to get people started. ..but Will was great in the evening because what I was looking for was a nice calm non controversial pleasant journey home with a bit of a giggle thats what Will offered.

Colm Hayes got on with gerry ryan...colm did sone sort of comedy thing line scratch Saturday many moons ago, so he was already on their radar long before he joined 2 fm.

The breakfast show and 2fm are so commercial and so full of competitions and promotions it ruins the flow. I hope the new breakfast show people saw what happened to colm and Jim jim and how the million promotional bits stifled them.

Any how I wish they hadn't changed Will...I hope colm doesn't shake it up too much.

lollpop

Really disappointed with this.
I can't stand Colm Hayes and if you don't want to listen to current affairs, there aren't really any other choices at that time in the evening. Very disappointed.

Rock Solid

Has anybody contacted RTE, and whats the best way to contact them ?
Do they read Boards.ie

thesaurus2

There are plenty of other choices lollpop. I'm a recent convert to Nova since 2fm started to slide downhill. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of their later afternoon/drive DJ Pat something-or-other, at least he plays good music that makes the drive home more bearable, and he is not a clueless elitist snob like Colm Hayes. I'd expect Nova to show significant listener gains this year as a result of 2fm's jiggery pokery. I cant tune it in the house but I can get it in the car for some reason, 100.3fm.

dulpit

thesaurus2 wrote: »

There are plenty of other choices lollpop.

For the non-Dubs the options are:
RTÉ Radio 1, Newstalk & Today FM - all talk.
RnaG
4FM
Local radio

so you might be lucky, depending on where you live.

I didn't ever really listen to his show (more of a Matt Cooper person), but if I did hear bits it seemed okay, much better than what Colm Hayes will bring to the show. Although time will tell I suppose.

L1011

dulpit wrote: »

For the non-Dubs the options are:
RTÉ Radio 1, Newstalk & Today FM - all talk.
RnaG
4FM
Local radio

Plus an IRR unless you live in Wicklow (although most of the county can receive either Dublin stations, iRadio or Beat anyway).

dbrunson

Rock Solid wrote: »

The More Music Drive is to be axed, The show has been on air for seven years and Will didnt sound happy today, Ive been listening for several years and like his upbeat style and format, why dont they get rid of Larry Gogan and Dave Fanning ? Colm Hayes show has been crap l

Thank ****, couldnt stand his ****e talk about "friends" ross , rachel etc move on will

bubbaloo

dr Golden wrote: »

People complain when 2fm don't make changes and people complain when they do ! People have been crying out for change at that station for years and now that its finally happening people moan about it

That's because people want to see real change. Shifting the current presenters around so that the same shows are on at different times on different days is not REAL change. And putting Hayes on every weekday and shifting Will to weekends is utterly stupid.
They don't have the guts to make real change and get some new blood in there. They are a pathetic excuse for a radio station! :-(

vanderbadger

wouldnt be gone on leahy now, find him to be condescending to callers but as for hayes..jebus what a knob

jimmy2flutes

Delighted with this move. The biggest con of a radio presenter Ive heard in years. How he got away with it for so long is anyones guess!

philthrill69

Are RTE and Dan Healy so blind and stubborn that they can't see the loyal listeners uproar? 
Colm clearly doesn't want to move, Will clearly doesn't want to move and 99% of their listeners don't want them to move.
Look Nicky Byrne got a great reaction on celebrity Sunday but Sunday listeners are a completely different demographic to daily morning listeners.
If Dan Healy is so adamant to get Nicky on the air then give him the 5-7 graveyard shift that you're after lumbering the super talanted and hugely popular Will Leahy with.
Listen to your public for once, after all they have been listening to you for years.
[snip]

dbrunson

So anyone who disagrees with you opion is a troll. Very democratic.

greengirl31

I have to say I'm soooo disappointed with Will's move !! I've listening to 2FM for years and always in the morning and evenings and any time I can in between but I think I'll be on the hunt for a new station now.

I could take or leave Hector but he was the best of a bad bunch in the mornings - Were his Listener numbers in the last quarter of 2013 .... Maybe Dan Healy Jumped the gun a bit on that one !!!

As for Will, I was sure they'd leave him where he was because I believe he highest U35 ratings - the demographic they're after !! But no !!! WTF !!! And replacing him with that condescending Muppet Hayes !!! Disgusted !!

The 2 FM morning seems a bit all over the place ... Maguire and O'Shay (God Help us) first for the young wans, Tubs for the housewifes and then Nicky Byrne and I believe Lotty Ryan (again , God Help us !!!) presumably for the young wans too ... seems a little disjointed. I'm not Tubs biggest fan but I think he's alright ... I preferred him on the Full Irish a few years ago ... Maybe they should have shifted Tubs back to 7-9, slotted Nicky in at 9-11 and left Colm Hayes where he was.

Any word on Damien Farrelly ?? Is he gone ??

Addle

I have sometimes spent longer in my car than I needed to just to stay tuned to the show.
I'll miss it.

Larbre34

It used to be that 2FM set the trends for formats and talent, now they try to follow everyone else so much that you'd wonder if they're even relevant anymore. They genuinely never got over losing Gerry Ryan. 4 years on almost and it still feels like they have an interim schedule in place.

Game On is such a p1ss poor imitation of OTB that they should just bin it and go back to playing chart and requests after drivetime, regardless of whether or not teenagers listen to the radio anymore.

Will Leahy should go somewhere he's appreciated, one of the big regional stations would worship him and at least they have an audience

Blingy

Listen to this show every evening on my commute home and have thouroughly enjoyed it. Not impressed to see the new changes at all.
Used to listen to Hector in the morning (I know not everyone's choice) and Will in the evening and now both are being moved or gone. Looks like 2fm have just lost another listener!!! Don't see how the new line up will appeal.