98FM
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What 98FM does
98FM is a Dublin-licensed commercial radio station operating under Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP (the largest independent radio group in Ireland), with roots tracing to its 1989 launch. It broadcasts a contemporary hit music mix to the Dublin adult audience across three formatted streams: the main 98FM (Best Music Mix), 98FM Dance (electronic/dance), and 98FM R&B (rhythm and blues/old skool), with additional event branding via CLUB98. Programming includes flagship shows such as The Big Breakfast with Brendan & Rebecca, daytime programming with Barry Dunne, and evening drive with Brian Maher, alongside podcasts, news, lifestyle, and entertainment verticals. Distribution is multi-channel: FM broadcast across Dublin, the GoLoud Player digital streaming platform (via Triton Digital infrastructure with geo-fenced licensing), and native mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows developed with Square1 and Bauer Media Digital.
The station's core technology stack is a conventional broadcast-plus-digital hybrid: FM transmission licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, web/app streaming via goloudplayer.com, and a standard martech/adtech integration layer (Firebase, Google Analytics, MailChimp, Rudderstack CDP, Adswizz audio ad serving, Meta attribution, Eventbrite event registration, and Covatic privacy-first advertising). It is GDPR-compliant as a data controller under Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP and operates a VIP Club listener membership with separate data governance terms. Competition mechanics (Cash Machine SMS/online entry via Fonix and Jotform, plus social media giveaways) double as first-party data collection touchpoints.
98FM's revenue model is advertising-only, sold through Bauer Media account managers on a quote-based structure, with the station serving as a reach vehicle for brands targeting Dublin's adult population. As part of Bauer Media Audio Ireland's portfolio (which also includes Newstalk, Today FM, Spin 1038, Spin Southwest, OTB Sports, Red FM, iRadio Beat, Audio XI, and GoLoud — collectively reaching over 1.6 million adults weekly), 98FM benefits from cross-brand audience packaging and shared ad inventory. Operating from Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2, the station employs 51–100 people and has no public revenue disclosure or independent capital structure, being wholly owned within the Bauer Media group.
98FM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 98FM
- Legal name
- Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP
- Website
- https://98fm.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
98FM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Music Radio Networks (Format-Based) (MPABABAF), Independent Local Radio Stations (MPABACAD)
Keywords
Where 98FM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
98FM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Radio Advertising: 98FM generates revenue through advertising, offering brands the ability to reach its weekly adult audience. The advertising process involves initial consultation, concept development, and creative execution.
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
98FM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
98FM is a Dublin commercial radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit music mix across FM, digital streaming, and mobile app, with additional sub-format streams (98FM Dance, 98FM R&B), podcasts, news, lifestyle and entertainment content, competitions, and listener promotions. The station is monetised primarily through advertising sales to brands seeking to reach its adult audience in Dublin and across Ireland.
Product overview
98FM is a Dublin-based commercial radio station operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP (Reg #LP3374), offering a multi-format music and entertainment proposition. The station's core product is its live radio broadcast, which is distributed across three branded streams: the main 98FM contemporary hit format, 98FM Dance (electronic music), and 98FM R&B (rhythm and blues/old skool). These streams are accessible via the Go Loud Player streaming platform and the 98FM Mobile Application (developed by Bauer Media Digital) for iOS, Android, and Windows. Content verticals include Shows, Podcasts, News, Lifestyle, Entertainment (What's On, Celeb, Movies, TV, Music), Competitions (including the Cash Machine SMS/online competition and social media giveaways), and Win promotions. The station also operates a VIP Club for listeners and competition winners with separate data governance terms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 98FM Dance: A music format sub-brand of 98FM focused on dance music content.
- 98FM R&B
- 98FM MORE
- CLUB98
Companies that use 98FM
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
98FM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
98FM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bauer Media Audio Ireland LPcore98FM is owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP, the largest independent radio group in Ireland. The company operates multiple radio brands including Newstalk, Today FM, 98FM, Off The Ball, Spin 1038, Spin Southwest, OTB Sports, Audio XI, GoLoud, Red FM, iRadio Beat 102-103, and Media Central, reaching over 1.6 million adults weekly.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
98FM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Newstalk: National Irish talk and news radio station operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP. Same parent, same corporate advertising sales infrastructure, and overlapping Dublin listenership but differentiated by news/talk format versus 98FM's music focus.
- Today FM: National Irish commercial music and entertainment radio station and direct sister station under Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP. Operates the same business model (FM + digital streaming + advertising) and competes for the same Dublin music/entertainment audience demographic as 98FM.
- Spin 1038: Dublin-based youth-leaning music radio station owned by Bauer Media Audio Ireland LP. Directly competes with 98FM for the same Dublin music audience, particularly younger demographics, and shares the same Bauer Media distribution infrastructure (GoLoud).
- FM104: Dublin's longest-established commercial mainstream hit music station, operated by Wireless Group (News Corp). Direct competitive overlap with 98FM in Dublin commercial music radio advertising market with comparable audience target.
Broad incumbents
- RTÉ Radio 1: Ireland's national public service broadcaster's flagship radio station
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
98FM social profiles
Digital presence98FM compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
98FM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
98FM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
98FM subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
98FM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
98FM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 98FM
What does 98FM do?
98FM is a Dublin commercial radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit music mix across FM, digital streaming, and mobile app, with additional sub-format streams (98FM Dance, 98FM R&B), podcasts, news, lifestyle and entertainment content, competitions, and listener promotions. The station is monetised primarily through advertising sales to brands seeking to reach its adult audience in Dublin and across Ireland.
Is 98FM a public or private company?
98FM is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was 98FM founded?
98FM was founded in 1989. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is 98FM based?
98FM is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does 98FM make money?
One revenue line is on record: radio Advertising.
Who are 98FM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Newstalk, Today FM, Spin 1038 and FM104. RTÉ Radio 1 is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does 98FM have an API?
No public API is recorded for 98FM.
What industry is 98FM in?
98FM's product category is Commercial Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAA, Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM), with a secondary code of MPABABAF, Music Radio Networks (Format-Based). Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.