Simon Maher's 8Radio.com keen to take-over from TXFM

Former Phantom 105.8 director Simon Maher has issued a statement confirming that his 8Radio.com set-up is interested in taking-over the Dublin alternative rock service that TXFM has decided not to reapply for.
8Radio.com lodged a formal expression of interest with the BAI before Christmas, but not realising that TXFM were dropping out of the race didn’t pursue it any further.
With TXFM closing down on or before October 28, that has now all changed.
“At 8Radio.com, we firmly believe that a viable and successful Alternative Music service can be provided and that there is sufficient interest to sustain such a service,” Maher states. “Obviously any service would need to be scaled to match potential revenues and we believe that the model that we have been developing since 2013 would do that. Combining the knowledge of the Alternative Music format and the programming proposition provided by 8Radio.com with the back-office and support services from selected other parties with significant commercial media experience would, we believe, provide Dublin with a valuable and valued radio station.
“8Radio.com hopes that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will recognise the need for a new model to maintain sustainable niche broadcasting in Ireland and that there is interest in providing such a service. We would encourage the BAI to re-advertise the Alternative Rock Licence at the earliest opportunity.
“In the interim, 8Radio is planning a series of digital platform expansions in the coming months as well as the continuation of its Temporary FM Broadcasts to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway this summer and autumn.”
Paying tribute to the TXFM team that are facing redundancy - “There are talented and passionate broadcasters at work there who I’m sure we will hear on Dublin radio again” – Maher continues: “From our own perspective, we are excited about the potential for 8Radio.com to continue build a business and programming model that will allow us to develop the station in a sustainable manner and maintain the ethos and values of the station. 8Radio.com was set up to provide a real alternative to other mainstream music services and to bring listeners back to traditional music radio who have been lost to streaming services such as Deezer, Spotify and elsewhere.”
Meanwhile, nearly 1,500 listeners have signed a petition calling on “Communicorp chief executive Gervaise Slowey to reconsider the closure of TXFM. We ask you and others associated with the radio station to find a way to continue the station in whatever capacity possible.
“We also ask the BAI to try and renegotiate the current contract or to provide scope for TXFM's current owners to possibly streamline the business as the current model is not considered to be economically viable by management.
“Do Communicorp want to be remembered for producing the same old same old music stations? Does Communicorp want to stand out from the norm? Where you could continue to provide a music station that is passionate about Irish and international indie music.”
Find out more at
[link]change.org/p/management-of-txfm-financiers-evergreen-ventures-gaiety-investments-and-communicorp-group-save-txfm-efc91f3d-e33a-4895-bba4-d2517ec91538?recruiter=58527840&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink[/link]
There have also been numerous messages of support from acts like Delorentos who say: “Desperate news. We need a home for alternative music in Ireland, TXFM played great music morning to night.”
Meanwhile, 2fm presenter Will Leahy messages: “Am desperately sorry to see the closure of TXFM. Our industry should ask why a city the size of Dublin only wants stations that play Rihanna.”