Will Leahy show axed

frozenfrozen

Ah that's terrible. Only found out now through this thread. Will was literally the only thing I would have the radio on for, bar the news...

stop animal cruelty

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Yep saw that post.
As someone else posted further down (I've been reading and liking a lot of comments!) though, Will is a proud man and I doubt he'd come back to weekday just now because of a petition etc. I will definitely be trying to catch a listen at the weekends but doesn't really suit me to listen to the radio then - I'll have to catch a podcast! I'm really disappointed and couldn't believe it when he announced it.

Thats true bout him being a proud man, but l think he has been overwhelmed by the amount of support and upset it has caused...there might be that slight chance, but if something were to happen it prob wouldn't for a good while

LizT

purplecow1977 wrote: »

Yep saw that post.
As someone else posted further down (I've been reading and liking a lot of comments!) though, Will is a proud man and I doubt he'd come back to weekday just now because of a petition etc. I will definitely be trying to catch a listen at the weekends but doesn't really suit me to listen to the radio then - I'll have to catch a podcast! I'm really disappointed and couldn't believe it when he announced it.

He mentioned the petition yesterday and basically said there was no need for it

purplecow1977

Sweaty Betty wrote: »

He mentioned the petition yesterday and basically said there was no need for it

Yes I know that. I mean the whole shebang - campaign on FB etc, boycott 2fm. I don't think it matters as he won't be back.

fergus1001

Ret can go shove it to be honest

I loved that show from the pack of three to the special request song it was just the right amount of positive for the way home


Rte and there Dublin cronies can go suck on a lemon as far as I'm concerned

Skid X

The time for a campaign was a few weeks ago when rumours of Will Leahy's demotion were doing the rounds. 2FM won't bring him back to weekdays now.

I don't think Will Leahy's show ever received much promotion outside of 2FM. Hector, Tubs and Colm Hayes all had television advertising campaigns but I never noticed any serious marketing of his show. Perhaps a stronger promotion of his show would have gained more listeners - those who listened to him seemed to like it a lot.

purplecow1977

Skid X wrote: »

The time for a campaign was a few weeks ago when rumours of Will Leahy's demotion were doing the rounds. 2FM won't bring him back to weekdays now.

I don't think Will Leahy's show ever received much promotion outside of 2FM. Hector, Tubs and Colm Hayes all had television advertising campaigns but I never noticed any serious marketing of his show. Perhaps a stronger promotion of his show would have gained more listeners - those who listened to him seemed to like it a lot.

I hadn't heard anything about such a demotion until this week. I knew there was a bit of a shake up but I didn't dream that they would do this. It's not as if they're even putting in a DIFFERENT programme - it sounds like Mr. Hayes' show is of a similar calibre (Well in their dreams, he doesn't have a patch on Will) and it all goes to show that it is not simply a layout of a show that reels listeners in, it's because of the DJ and I loved Will's banter and way of presenting.

Fr Tod Umptious

Leahy is a full time solicitor and a part time radio show host, who essentially works remotely.

Its unlikely he had the time to do all the off air stuff that hosts usually do, like show prep etc.

I'd say RTE decided that the reshuffle was the time to 'regularize' the situation by replacing him with a Dublin based host who would be working a full day.

I liked Leahy's show, I thought it ran well and was a alternative to all the talk at that time of the day.

I don't like Hayse however so I will not be listening.

Addle

So what if he had another job?
He still had a great radio show, a lot better than some 'full time' djs.
Fair play to him.

L1011

Addle wrote: »

So what if he had another job?

It does seriously limit where he can be moved to in the schedule - he's not available before 4pm and he has to use the Limerick studio which requires more staff on-hand to operate than if he was in Dublin.

Addle

MYOB wrote: »

It does seriously limit where he can be moved to in the schedule - he's not available before 4pm and he has to use the Limerick studio which requires more staff on-hand to operate than if he was in Dublin.

So just don't move him!

Fr Tod Umptious

Addle wrote: »

So just don't move him!

It was probably a money saving exercise for RTE, and god knows they are always being bashed for not taking steps to save money.

The show was costing more that it should by virtue of having a part timer, in a prime slot, who was essentially working from home.

If he was pulling in a huge audience then he may have had some bargaining power, but apparently he was not.

Seren_

I really wasn't aware of his popularity at all until this thread tbh. I used to listen to the Saturday show about 10 years ago and enjoyed it, but never once heard the afternoon show.

Seems to be a decision higher ups in 2FM will come to regret anyway, if they don't already.

pleb41

Whats with everyone having such a bee in their bonnet about Dublin? Will never mentioned Dublin or anything. Some guy here was even putting Dublin in quotation marks as if it was some abstract concept. It only has 1.5 million people. I liked Will's show but at the end of the day he had the least listener ship apart from Larry G. I don't think Colm Hayes will appeal to under 35's but at a drive time show he might cash in on people coming home from work in their 30's, 40's and 50's. He was ever going to attract young people listening at college at 1pm

dr Golden

I have known for some time that will was going but i really thought a youth presenter would get the gig.

stop animal cruelty

dr Golden wrote: »

I have known for some time that will was going but i really thought a youth presenter would get the gig.

how did you know?

bbability

John Clarke's not holding back this morning..

purplecow1977

bbability wrote: »

John Clarke's not holding back this morning..

What has JC said?

bbability

You know I used to listen to Will Leahy and I just fell out with the show because the music wasn't what I would associate with Will or his show and John has basically said that they weren't allowed to choose the music for nearly two years now. It's starting to make sense now.. I hope and pray they pack up and move to other stations.

purplecow1977

Have you not heard of this 'rule' that they can't play music before 1990? They're trying to target the under 35s age group, specifically females. I would have though Will's show was doing alright in that regard...
http://radionation.ie/2013/07/2fm-boss-djs-safe-but-music-will-change/

It seems he doesn't know his arse from his elbow as all these reports floating about from last July are complete opposites to what has actually happened.

Red Fred

purplecow1977 wrote: »

What has JC said?

He said that himself and Will found out that The More Music Drive was being axed through an RTE Press Release.

jimmy2flutes

Stations change, if you can't adapt, you deserve to be sacked!

Meangadh

jimmy2flutes wrote: »

Stations change, if you can't adapt, you deserve to be sacked!

Adapting is all well and good if it's what your listeners want, but a huge number of people don't want that change. It's a shame.

bbability

jimmytwoflutes banned for abusing moderator and being uncivil as per forum charter

Kettleson

jimmy2flutes wrote: »

Stations change, if you can't adapt, you deserve to be sacked!

Stations don't change, audiences change. No one "deserves" to be sacked when the reason is nothing to do with their ability or performance. The independent stations are getting the younger audiences over and they are all been commercially force fed a load of diarrhea as provided by the major labels. 2FM needs to grow a brain.

Frankie Lee

I've never been a regular listener of 2fm but getting rid of the few half competent presenters they have and replacing them with the likes of Nicky Byrne is frankly unbelievable. That coupled with the continued presence of Tubridy in the peak mid morning slot can only point to attempted sabotage of the station from Dan Healy.

stop animal cruelty

Im 23 female been listening to JC since l was 17....every sunday (when l was home) l would always tune in because l enjoyed the show!! not every person my age are into nicki mindge or little mix....cant believe hes gone its not fair

Meangadh

John Clarke said earlier that last summer when Bruce Springsteen was playing 5 sold out gigs in Ireland, he and Will were told they weren't allowed to play any Bruce as it wasn't the type of music they were supposed to now be playing on the show. That doesn't even make any sense. Surely if music is popular or doesn't matter what era, genre or performer it comes from. Stupid rule.

stop animal cruelty

Meangadh wrote: »

John Clarke said earlier that last summer when Bruce Springsteen was playing 5 sold out gigs in Ireland, he and Will were told they weren't allowed to play any Bruce as it wasn't the type of music they were supposed to now be playing on the show. That doesn't even make any sense. Surely if music is popular or doesn't matter what era, genre or performer it comes from. Stupid rule.

Didnt know that, crazy tho will played him thursday :pac:

Eoin 19

In an ideal world, this would be the ideal 2fm schedule for me... great radio personalities and packed with on the ball music (played more regularly in every show!)

MONDAY - FRIDAY

7am - 9am: Jennifer Maguire, Bernard O'Shea & Keith Walsh
9am - 12pm: Ray D'Arcy with Mairead Farrell & Will Hanifan
12pm - 2pm: Keith Cunningham (KC)
2pm - 4.30pm: Louise Duffy
4.30pm - 7pm: Will Leahy with JJ Hartigan
7pm - 8.30pm: Second Captains with Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early, Mark Horgan, Simon Hick and Ciaran Murphy
8.30pm - 10.30pm: Brian Maher & Dara Quilty
10.30pm - 1am: Chris Greene & Ciara King

SATURDAY:

7am - 10am: Michaela Hayes
10am - 12pm: Larry Gogan
12pm - 2pm: Colm O'Sullivan
2pm - 5pm: Ruth Scott & Paddy McKenna
5pm - 7pm: Nessa Harney
7pm - 1am: Jenny Greene

SUNDAY:

7am - 10am: Michaela Hayes
10am - 12pm: Larry Gogan
12pm - 2pm: Colm O'Sullivan
2pm - 5pm: Ruth Scott & Paddy McKenna
5pm - 7pm: Nessa Harney
7pm - 9pm: Daithi O'Daibhin
9pm - 1am: Mark McCabe

stop animal cruelty

Eoin 19 wrote: »

In an ideal world, this would be the ideal 2fm schedule for me... great radio personalities and packed with on the ball music (played more regularly in every show!)

MONDAY - FRIDAY

7am - 9am: Jennifer Maguire, Bernard O'Shea & Keith Walsh
9am - 12pm: Ray D'Arcy with Mairead Farrell & Will Hanifan
12pm - 2pm: Keith Cunningham (KC)
2pm - 4.30pm: Louise Duffy
4.30pm - 7pm: Will Leahy with JJ Hartigan
7pm - 8.30pm: Second Captains with Eoin McDevitt, Ken Early, Mark Horgan, Simon Hick and Ciaran Murphy
8.30pm - 10.30pm: Brian Maher & Dara Quilty
10.30pm - 1am: Chris Greene & Ciara King

SATURDAY:

7am - 10am: Michaela Hayes
10am - 12pm: Larry Gogan
12pm - 2pm: Colm O'Sullivan
2pm - 5pm: Ruth Scott & Paddy McKenna
5pm - 7pm: Nessa Harney
7pm - 1am: Jenny Greene

SUNDAY:

7am - 10am: Michaela Hayes
10am - 12pm: Larry Gogan
12pm - 2pm: Colm O'Sullivan
2pm - 5pm: Ruth Scott & Paddy McKenna
5pm - 7pm: Nessa Harney
7pm - 9pm: Daithi O'Daibhin
9pm - 1am: Mark McCabe

god no :eek:

Careful_now!

What were the JNLR figures for Will Leahy. I can't find the figures for his show.

STB

Continuing the PD of 2fm for a week.... what a great competition idea!

MONDAY - FRIDAY

7am - 10am: Ian Dempsey & Rosenstock
9am - 12pm: Andy Preston
12pm -3pm : Ray Foley
3pm - 5pm : Keith Cunningham
5 - 7pm : Will Leahy
7pm - 9pm: Barry Dunne
9pm-12pm : Greg Gaughran

I'm sticking Jason Maine on the overnights, weeknights.

Saturday

7am-11am : Matt Dempsey
11am-1pm : Brian McColl
1pm - 3pm : Larry Gogan
3pm - 6pm: Phil Cawley
6pm - 9pm : Jenny Greene
9pm-1am: Al Gibbs

Saturday and Sunday Overnights are up for grabs, perhaps some token good looking chick that would look great on posters for the station.

Sunday

7am - 9am Phil Cawley
9am-11am Larry Gogan
11am -2pm John Clarke (if its not broke, dont try and fix it)
2pm-6pm Liam Coburn
6pm-9pm Tony Fentoni (and he is allowed play the Boys of Summer at least once per show, even during winter, haters)
9-12pm Colm Hayes (with no links longer than 30 seconds)

Kettleson

It's a bit dodgy for me to get involved here as I'm just a listener, BUT, Tony Fenton just at the weekend? From the apparent approach of your schedule, why not get rid of him completely? Personally I rate him as one of the best in the business.

The whole thing seems to be a crazy ageist thing with 2fm trying to reach a younger audience? Is that not the case? If it is, then they are making a right balls up of it. If you wanna do it, do it right FFS.

I am well out of the age category that 2fm want to court, but whatever wavelength Will Leahy, John Clarke, Tony Fenton and the legend that is Larry Gogan broadcast on, I for one will be tuning in.

stop animal cruelty

Kettleson wrote: »

It's a bit dodgy for me to get involved here as I'm just a listener, BUT, Tony Fenton just at the weekend? From the apparent approach of your schedule, why not get rid of him completely? Personally I rate him as one of the best in the business.

The whole thing seems to be a crazy ageist thing with 2fm trying to reach a younger audience? Is that not the case? If it is, then they are making a right balls up of it. If you wanna do it, do it right FFS.

I am well out of the age category that 2fm want to court, but whatever wavelength Will Leahy, John Clarke, Tony Fenton and the legend that is Larry Gogan broadcast on, I for one will be tuning in.

I like tony fenton but he always, always plays the same music...

radiofreak

Just tuned in to hear what is on instead of The School Disco. Looks like its going to be non stop recent chart hits. sad.

emer_b

At the start of the show today paddy McKenna said he was just on for the week, "pity it's not under different circumstances".
Was Colm supposed to start today? Have 2fm stalled their decision for a week?
Maybe I'm reading too much into it!

radiofreak

Colm will be on in 4 weeks time.

ford fiesta

It was announced by paddy that Colm's show starts next week

greengirl31

So I went off on the hunt for a new station today ..... I don't want all the heavy talk on today fm and I'm not into the forced fun on the Dublin stations so I thought I'd give Garreth O'Callaghan a whirl on 4FM - Good God, it didn't do anything to lift the mood at all - the music was soooo depressing !!! As if I wasn't feeling bad enough !!!! I felt like there was a death in the car on the way home today !!!

I felt sorry for poor aul Paddy today - He's not the worst of them. I'm sure it can't be easy for those that are left ... I'm sure a lot of them are walking around keeping the head down hoping they're not next for "an exciting new slot" !!!!


I did listen back to John Clarke today - he didn't hold back did he ?? Fair play to him - it's good to hear at least one of the presenters not spouting out the usual company line !!

Jpmarn

I really missed Will Leahy this evening. Paddy Mc Kenna had nothing to offer only the best in chart music with Rem thrown in.
No joke of the day
No celebrity birthdays and birthday requests.
No topics of the Day,
No pack of 3, the last one ended before last Christmas and he wasn't able to start a new one because he knew he was gone only he wasn't allowed to tell us the listeners until last Wednesday.
No Special Song.
No regular topics like on Mondays what did you learn last weekend. Happy Tuesdays, Wednesday Whinge, and Friday Treats and after Bank Holidays what celebrities did you meet.
No entertainment tonight covering gigs and tv shows.
No school disco with a quiz thrown in.
I tuned into my local radio station Limerick Live95fm were djs can mix in 70s and 80s along with some of today's hits. At least I got to hear a couple of songs that haven't heard in a long time.

greengirl31

It seems the facebook page/petition seems to have disappeared - anyone know what happened there .... ??

stop animal cruelty

greengirl31 wrote: »

It seems the facebook page/petition seems to have disappeared - anyone know what happened there .... ??

fuk it, it is :eek: wonder what happened? Did ye see the message the man himself wrote, asking people to stop being abusive and sending in texts etc to other presenters demanding to get him back on? It sounds like it all went a bit ott.....

Lisha

Yeah Will said don't be abusing staff members that he was still going to work for rte. it seemed to be calming but some warriors seem to think they fight was still on.
It was a nice gesture to show support for Will but as said I think things got very OTT

stop animal cruelty

Does anyone have a link to a podcast of a few shows? cant find them on the 2fm website

greengirl31

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

Does anyone have a link to a podcast of a few shows? cant find them on the 2fm website

You can listen back to shows on the RTE Radio Player App ... I think they only go back a week or so though ... There doesn't seem to be many pod casts of Will's show and the ones that are there aren't recent

philthrill69

Just thought you'd like to know that 2fm and Dan Healy are so worried about this " little" petition page that they had it reported and taken down off Facebook. So much for freedom of speech, but fear not because there's another page up and running already under the same name "keep will leahy on drive time".

hufpc8w3adnk65

philthrill69 wrote: »

Just thought you'd like to know that 2fm and Dan Healy are so worried about this " little" petition page that they had it reported and taken down off Facebook. So much for freedom of speech, but fear not because there's another page up and running already under the same name "keep will leahy on drive time".

How do you know it was Dan Healy?

Skid X

Will Leahy's own post on his Facebook page about the 'Save Will' campaign is worth a read.


https://www.facebook.com/willleahyon2fm/posts/10152250135602008?stream_ref=10

have never used this phrase before, but if possible could you share this around as I would like it to reach as wide as possible an audience. I would have said it all on air, but it's not possible at the moment.

Last week a very kind listener set up an online petition to request RTE to leave the More Music Drive where it is. To be honest, I thought nothing about it. There are petitions for everything online from "Give Fungi the Freedom of Dingle" (great idea by the way) to "Have the US President agree the moon is made of cheese". Most of these get a few likes and that is the end of it.

The MMD campaign now has over 15k likes in 5 days - the irony is not lost on me that the campaign now has more likes than the show's official page.

Today it was the subject of an article on the Irish Independent's website ( see below). Now I know it is no longer a joke. My mother reads the Indo.

The problem is that many of those who are posting online are being a bit mean. Nasty things are being posted about friends and colleagues of mine in 2FM who are simply trying to do a day's work. Programmes are being flooded with texts which is really interfering in the day to day running of the station. Obviously it is flattering to me but I have nothing but sympathy for the poor misfortunes in the RTE Social Media department who must be afraid to turn on their phones.

So please remember - I am not dead - I have not been kidnapped by the Taliban. I still work for 2FM, and will be starting a new show in a month at the weekends. By all means "like" whatever Facebook petition you like ( the moon isn't made of cheese. Fungi told me) but I would ask that you please desist from any abuse towards the great team that work on the floor in 2FM ,both on air and off air.

Paddy McKenna is on air on 2FM all this week at 4.30 p.m. and please only text in positive vibes. He is a lovely man.

greengirl31

philthrill69 wrote: »

Just thought you'd like to know that 2fm and Dan Healy are so worried about this " little" petition page that they had it reported and taken down off Facebook. So much for freedom of speech, but fear not because there's another page up and running already under the same name "keep will leahy on drive time".

Was it really Dan Healy or is that just you're suspicions ?? While I wouldn't be surprised if it was Dan Healy, I find it bazar that facebook won't remove a NECKnomination page after 2 deaths but they will remove a page petitioning the national broadcaster .... But I'm not saying that's not what happened.

My suspicions are that perhaps Will Leahy contacted the group and requested that the page be removed - Maybe he was getting pressure from the boss but as he said in his FB post, he still has to work there !!