ABSTRACT
The last decade of the century, and in particular its last six years, saw an acceleration of the trends which had already become evident in media over the 1980s. As the economy improved dramatically from 1995 onwards, media profits improved, media companies changed hands with increasing frequency as the tempo of rationalisation increased, new titles appeared and globalisation began to make its presence felt. Broadcasting was in flux: the new commercial radio stations were taking audience share from the only possible source available – RTE’s audience – and the launch of a national commercial television competitor for the public service station, although delayed by what appeared to be interminable wrangles and financial difficulties, finally materialised.
