The Story of a Brand That Came to Ireland
Greatest Hits Radio is a name that many music fans in Ireland now recognise. It arrived on Irish airwaves in 2025 with little fanfare. But its story is one of the most interesting in Irish radio right now. It involves a court case, a name change, and a battle over listeners.
This article looks at the history of Greatest Hits Radio, its launch in Ireland, the legal dispute that followed, and what it means for listeners here.
What Is Greatest Hits Radio?
Greatest Hits Radio is a network of radio stations. It is owned by Bauer Media Audio, a large broadcasting company. The brand launched in the United Kingdom in 2019 .
The station plays music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Its slogan is “The Biggest Songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s” . The focus is on well-known hits that listeners remember from their youth.
In the UK, Greatest Hits Radio has become a major player. It has presenters like Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, and Jackie Brambles . Ken Bruce’s morning show is one of the most listened-to commercial radio shows in Britain .
The network has grown through a series of acquisitions. Bauer bought many local radio stations in the UK and rebranded them as Greatest Hits Radio. This gave the brand a large reach across the country.
The Launch of Greatest Hits Radio Ireland
In June 2025, Bauer Media Audio Ireland launched a version of Greatest Hits Radio in Ireland. The launch was quiet. There was no big announcement. No press conference. The station simply appeared on the FáilteDAB multiplex .
The FáilteDAB trial is a digital radio project in Ireland. It broadcasts on DAB+ in Dublin and surrounding areas. The trial is run by Foothold Communications and supported by Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator .
Greatest Hits Radio Ireland plays classic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It has its own presenters, including Debbie Allen and Liam Quigley . The station uses the same name and sung jingle package as the UK version. But the programming is separate. There are no shared shows with the UK station, including Ken Bruce’s popular morning show .
The station is part of Bauer Media Audio Ireland. Bauer also owns Today FM, Newstalk, 98FM, Spin 1038, and several other Irish stations .
The Court Case: Why the Name Changed
The quiet launch did not go unnoticed. Choice Broadcasting Ltd, which owns Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, took legal action. They argued that the name “Greatest Hits Radio” was too similar to their own brand, “Classic Hits” .
Choice Broadcasting is part of Bay Broadcasting Ltd. The company also owns Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 . Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has been broadcasting for over 17 years. It plays music from the 80s and 90s .
In June 2025, Choice obtained an interim injunction. This prevented Bauer from using the name “Greatest Hits Radio” on the FáilteDAB multiplex and any other platform in the Republic of Ireland .
Bauer responded by saying it would not contest the injunction at that stage. Instead, it would use the initials “GHR” until the full case was heard. The station changed its branding. All full “Greatest Hits Radio” branding was removed. The station now uses a voiceover between tracks stating, “This is GHR on DAB+” .
Bauer’s CEO in Ireland, Chris Doyle, said: “The brands Greatest Hits Radio and Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio are clearly different. We do not accept that any confusion will arise” .
But Choice Broadcasting disagreed. They argued that the similarity in names could confuse listeners, especially in a market where DAB+ is still new .
The Second Court Ruling
Choice Broadcasting was not satisfied with the name change to GHR. They went back to court to try to extend the injunction to cover the initials as well.
The case was heard by Mr Justice Brian Cregan in the High Court. In July 2025, he ruled that the injunction did not include the initials “GHR” .
The judge found that Choice had not made out a fair issue to be tried that the initials “GHR” amounted to passing off its brand. He also found that there was no fair issue to be tried in relation to alleged infringement of trademark .
Even if there had been a fair issue, the judge said the balance of justice would have been in favour of refusing the application. He noted that Choice Broadcasting is “balance sheet insolvent” and had created a charge over all of its assets .
This ruling meant that Bauer could continue to use the GHR name. The full case may still go to trial, but for now, GHR remains on air.
What GHR Offers Listeners in Ireland
So what does GHR actually offer to Irish listeners?
The station plays music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This is similar to what the UK version plays. But the Irish station has its own presenters and its own schedule .
The music mix includes pop and rock hits from those decades. The station aims to provide “feel good flashbacks” for listeners .
For sports fans, GHR is not a sports station. It does not provide live match commentary or sports analysis. But it can be a good option for music between sports programmes. If you are waiting for a match to start or taking a break from sports talk, GHR can provide a change of pace.
The station broadcasts on the FáilteDAB multiplex. This means it is available in Dublin and surrounding areas. Coverage is expanding as the FáilteDAB trial grows .
How GHR Differs from Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio
The two stations have similar names. But they are different in some ways.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio focuses mainly on music from the 80s and 90s. GHR includes music from the 70s as well . This gives GHR a slightly wider range of music.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has been broadcasting for over 17 years. It has an established audience. In 2026, the station achieved its highest market share and daily listenership in its history .
GHR is a new arrival. It is still building its audience in Ireland. It benefits from being part of the Bauer Media group, which has significant resources and experience.
The two stations compete for similar listeners. This is why the court case happened. Choice Broadcasting felt that the name “Greatest Hits Radio” was too close to “Classic Hits” and could take listeners away from their station.
The Growth of Greatest Hits Radio in the UK
To understand GHR in Ireland, it helps to look at its success in the UK.
Greatest Hits Radio has grown significantly in Britain. In 2026, the network had a weekly audience of 6.9 million listeners . This is a large audience for a commercial radio network.
The network includes over 50 local and regional stations in the UK. These stations were rebranded from other Bauer-owned brands .
Ken Bruce’s morning show is a major draw. He joined Greatest Hits Radio after leaving BBC Radio 2. His show is now the most listened-to commercial radio show in the UK .
In 2026, Zoe Ball also joined the line-up. She is a well-known presenter who previously worked at BBC Radio 2. Her arrival is expected to bring even more listeners to the network .
This success in the UK gives Bauer confidence in the brand. They hope to replicate this success in Ireland. But the Irish market is different. It is smaller. And there is already a strong competitor in Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio.
The FáilteDAB Trial: A New Platform for Radio
The FáilteDAB trial is important for GHR and other stations in Ireland.
DAB+ is a digital radio platform. It offers clearer sound than FM. It also allows more stations to broadcast because digital signals use spectrum more efficiently.
The FáilteDAB trial launched in April 2025. It brought 20 radio services to DAB+ in the Leinster area. These include stations from Onic, Bay Broadcasting, and Bauer Media .
The trial is expanding. A second multiplex called Mux 2 is planned. This will extend coverage to over 85% of the Irish population. Areas covered will include Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway, and Mayo .
For listeners, this means more choice. More stations will be available on DAB+. And the sound quality will be better than FM.
For broadcasters, the trial is a chance to test the platform. If it succeeds, DAB+ could become a major part of the Irish radio landscape.
What This Means for Irish Listeners
So what does all this mean for you, the listener?
If you live in Dublin or the surrounding counties, you can already listen to GHR on DAB+. You need a DAB+ compatible radio. These are widely available in electrical retailers.
If you live outside the current coverage area, you may need to wait. The FáilteDAB trial is expanding. But it may take time to reach all parts of the country.
For sports fans, GHR is not a direct replacement for sports radio. It does not offer live commentary or sports analysis. But it can be a good option for music when you are not listening to sports.
If you are interested in the legal dispute between Bauer and Choice Broadcasting, keep an eye on the news. The full case may go to trial. The outcome could affect the names of both stations.
The Future of GHR in Ireland
What does the future hold for GHR in Ireland?
The station is part of a large international media group. It has the resources to invest in programming and marketing. It has a proven format that works in the UK.
But it faces challenges. The Irish market is smaller. There is already a strong competitor in Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. And the DAB+ platform is still developing.
Bauer will need to build awareness of the GHR brand. The quiet launch and the court case have not helped. But with time and investment, the station could grow.
The expansion of the FáilteDAB trial will help. As more people get DAB+ radios, more people will be able to listen. This will benefit all stations on the platform, including GHR.
For now, GHR remains a new arrival in Ireland. It is building its audience. It is finding its place in the Irish radio landscape. And it is part of a story that shows how competitive radio can be.
Key Facts About Greatest Hits Radio
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Greatest Hits Radio? | A radio network owned by Bauer Media |
| When did it launch in Ireland? | June 2025 |
| What music does it play? | Hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s |
| Why was the name changed? | A court injunction brought by Choice Broadcasting |
| What is the station called now? | GHR |
| Where can I listen? | On the FáilteDAB multiplex in Leinster |
| Who are the presenters? | Debbie Allen, Liam Quigley, and others |
| Is it a sports station? | No, it plays music |
Final Words
Greatest Hits Radio is a brand with a long history in the UK. Its arrival in Ireland has been eventful. A quiet launch, a court case, and a name change have all happened in a short space of time.
For listeners, the station offers a mix of classic hits. It is not a sports station. But it adds to the variety of radio available in Ireland.
The FáilteDAB trial is bringing more stations to more people. This is good news for radio fans. It means more choice and better sound quality.
At EasyRadio Sport Ireland, we will continue to follow developments in Irish radio. Whether you listen for sport or music, we will bring you the latest news.
EasyRadio Sport Ireland. Your guide to Irish radio.
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