WEALTH April 9, 2026 0 Comments

DMG Media’s Bold Play: How Their Move into Broadcasting Could Rewrite the Rules of Media Domination

So, dmg media Ireland just made a bold leap into the broadcast arena by snagging a majority stake in Waterford’s powerhouse radio station, WLR. Now, here’s a question worth pondering: how often does a media giant step into a new domain and instantly tap into a fierce local loyalty, capturing 65% of the adult audience each week and a whopping 43% daily? WLR isn’t just any station — it’s a dominant voice in Waterford with 73,000 dedicated weekly listeners and a streak of local radio awards that screams quality and trust. For dmg media Ireland, this isn’t just an acquisition; it’s a strategic masterstroke combining scale, savvy investment, and a digital-first mindset, all while preserving WLR’s authentic connection to its community. Get ready for a new chapter where tradition meets innovation, driven by a partnership that promises to shake up the Irish media landscape from the airwaves down to digital streams. LEARN MORE

dmg media Ireland has entered the broadcast sector with its acquisition of a majority shareholding in Waterford radio station WLR.

WLR (Waterford Local Radio) is the leading independent radio station serving Waterford city and count attracting 65% of all adults living in Waterford each week and 43% of all adults daily.

Broadcasting across FM and digital platforms, WLR has built a loyal and highly engaged audience of 73,000 weekly listeners.

Through its strong editorial standards, local insight and commitment to reflecting the voice of the region, it has been awarded Ireland’s Local Radio Station of the Year an unprecedented five times between 2019 and 2024.

The addition of WLR represents a strategic expansion of dmg media Ireland’s presence within the Irish media landscape and marks the group’s first significant move into broadcasting.

WLR will benefit from dmg media Ireland’s scale, investment capability and proven expertise in building and transforming media brands in a digital‑first environment, while retaining its strong local identity and editorial focus.

Paul Henderson, CEO of dmg media Ireland, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome the entire WLR team into the dmg media Ireland group. Their professionalism and broadcasting expertise will complement our existing strengths and help us deliver even more engaging content to audiences.

“dmg media Ireland has built some of the country’s most recognised media brands by connecting with audiences through great content. With WLR, we can now apply that same approach to broadcasting.”

Michael Byrne, CEO of WLR, said: “This marks a significant milestone for WLR and signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the station. Over the past decade, radio has evolved far beyond its traditional FM roots into a dynamic, multi‑platform audio experience, and we’ve already made strong progress on that journey.

“This partnership enables us to accelerate that momentum in a way that is both ambitious and sustainable. The entire WLR team is delighted to be part of dmg media Ireland and looks forward to what we can achieve together.”

WLR will join dmg media’s growing portfolio of media brands, which collectively reach 3.6m adults across Ireland each month.

This portfolio includes EVOKE, Extra.ie, RollerCoaster.ie, everymum, One Fab Day, The Irish Daily Mail, The Irish Mail on Sunday, Business Plus, and BusinessPlus.ie.

Photo: Des Whelan, founder & Chair, WLR, with Paul Henderson CEO, dmg media Ireland.