Newstalk has today announced a new deal to provide a National & International news, business and sports service to the UTV Group of radio stations: Limerick 95FM, LMFM, Cork 96FM, C103FM, Q102 and FM104.

The Communicorp owned station will now become the largest news supplier in Ireland, with a total available audience of 1.7 million listeners daily.

Newstalk, the multiple PPI award winning station, already provides broadcast services to 25 independent local and regional radio stations across the country, with the new addition of the UTV group it will bring the total number to 31, which is the entire independent radio network.

Director of News at Newstalk John Keogh commented on the announcement; "We are delighted to announce the addition of the UTV group of stations to the network. Today’s announcement is a very welcome one which demonstrates the collective strength of independent radio news in Ireland. The total available audience of 1.7 million is much greater than the 1.2 million listeners reached by all RTE radio stations; proving independent radio news is the most powerful information source in the country."

Gerard Whelan, Newstalk Chief Executive said; “This new agreement is really great news for the station and it comes off the back of a fantastic twelve months. The recent JNLR figures show we are the fastest growing radio station in the country and we’re seeing listener growth across all our shows. With this momentum behind us we’re already looking forward to the next twelve months.”