'Sad to see it go' - Listeners gutted as RTÉ to close four radio stations at the end of the year
The broadcaster said the move is part of a broad range of 'cost-cutting measures'
RTÉ has said it will shut down four digital radio stations at the end of this year in an announcement on Thursday.
The stations, RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉjr Radio, will no longer be broadcast from December 31, 2025.
The move to shut down the four stations was initially announced in 2019 as part of a broad range of cost-cutting measure but the confirmed date was only announced on Thursday afternoon.
It's believed there will be no job losses following the shut downs but presenter at 2XM John Kenny has said it will be "sad to see it go".
In a post on X, the presenter said,
"Sad to report our little oasis @rte2xm is to close permanently on dec 31st 2025. I’ve been with it since it opened in 2007 and I for one will be very sad to see it go and the JK EXPERIENCE will be no more we have a few shows left so pitch up every Sunday at 1400."
RTÉ has said the move contains a "number of factors" citing financial and efficiency reasons, minimal audience demand and the plan to "streamline" RTÉ's audio offering.
The broadcaster has said any savings from the closure of the four stations will be reinvested into the new development of modern digital platforms including a new audio app, which could be operational by 2026.
It also stated the move will have little impact on listeners as some of the specialized content from each show will be absorbed into existing services including 2FM and the RTÉ Player.