Female artists take up less time on Irish radio airwaves compared to men, report finds

The report found only two of the top 100 songs played on Irish radio are by female artists. The data was collected from June 1 last year to June 1 this year.

Why Not Her? founder Linda Coogan Byrne believes a “critical need for systemic change” on how radio playlists are curated in Ireland is needed.

“Despite the clear evidence of talent and success among female artists and artists of colour, they remain marginalised in airplay,” Ms Coogan Byrne said.

It’s high time for the gatekeepers of Irish radio to acknowledge this glaring gender and racial disparity and take meaningful action towards a more equitable industry

The report cites female artists make up 35% of Cork’s RedFM top 20 playlist, which is one of the highest levels of inclusion by a radio station surveyed.

RTÉ Radio 1 remains as the benchmark for stations to aim for at 50%, which it has maintained since 2019, while RTÉ 2XM’s top 20 playlist consists of 45% women and RTÉ Junior at 40%.

RTÉ 2FM and RTÉ Pulse joins Cork’s Red FM with a female representation of 35%.

Various radio stations across Ireland — including C103, Today FM, and Radio Kerry — had less than 25% women representation within their top 20 song rotation.

Data analyst with Why Not Her? Dr Michael Lydon is “deeply” disappointed that women are still underrepresented on Irish radio in the same year as Sinéad O’Connor’s death.

“One would expect in the aftermath of her passing, O’Connor would have featured more prominently on the Irish airwaves,” she said.

This was not the case, as music by O’Connor and other talented women continue to be played less than the music of their male counterparts.

“We need to assure that the Sinéad O’Connor’s of tomorrow are represented more than the Sinéad O’Connor’s of yesterday’,” he added.

The report also found that artists signed to major record labels dominated Irish radio playlists, while only three independent artists made it into the top 100 songs on Irish radio so far this year.

Ms Coogan Byrne believes record labels can play a pivotal role in transforming the industry into a more diverse space.

“The journey towards gender equality in the music industry is long and arduous, but each step forward is a victory for all artists.

“Let us amplify the voices of those who have been marginalised, and work together to create an industry where talent and merit are the only currencies that matter,” she added.

Data analyst Gary Lynch believes “greater leadership” from within the world of radio and music is needed to “drive sustainable change”.

“Only a small number of Irish radio stations have made significant improvements to the diversity of artists being represented on their shows in the last five years,” he added.