[JMT1985]

Local radio has really died a death here in the UK - as Global and Bauer have ate up all the independent local radio stations and the BBC are currently mincing their own local radio output.

Cross over the pond to Ireland it is sort of different - where local radio is still appreciated, even by the big companies who own them, in fact the Murdoch owned Wireless company owns a chunk of local independent Irish stations, which helps Graham Norton during the summer months air his Virgin Radio show from a Cork based Wireless owned local radio station.

Highland Radio in the north west is Ireland's leading commercial radio station, covering Donegal, as well as Derry and Tyrone, and they have always been a success in recent years, and a very decent schedule with live programming with presenters each weekday from 6.30am until midnight or 1am, Saturdays from 7am to 1am and Sundays from 8am until after midnight.

Shame our UK local radio doesn't look to Ireland and see there can be local content for local people and not just minced shows.