Christmas FM is Ireland's radio station dedicated to the religious and secular festival of Christmas. It is a temporary licensed station, traditionally broadcasting from the 28th of November until the 26th of December and has operated covering Dublin in 2008, Dublin and Cork in 2009 and Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and the South-East of Ireland in 2010 with the inclusion of an additional transmitter covering Kildare in 2011 and 2012. The station is staffed by approximately 100 volunteers and provides a 24 hour service during the license period. The format is music driven with the addition of Christmas themed content, all aimed at creating the 'Magic of Christmas'. As a temporary licensed station it does not carry commercial advertising but does carry limited sponsorship messages to cover costs.
The station has chosen charity partners in each of its broadcast years with the objective of raising awareness and funds for the partner. Funds are raised through a mixture of premium text, on-line donation and in-branch donation.
- 2008: ISPCC, Funds raised Euro 35k approx.
- 2009: Simon Communities Dublin and Cork, Funds raised Euro 70k approx.
- 2010: Barnardos, Funds raised Euro 86k approx.
- 2011: Focus Ireland, Funds raised Euro 117k approx.
- 2012: ISPCC/Childline, Funds raised Euro 100k +
Christmas FM also operates a song competition in the run up to the broadcast period with the short list being aired for a listener voted winner to be selected.
The station streams over the internet and maintains a Facebook and Twitter presence.
Famous quotes containing the word christmas:
“I heard the bells, on Christmas Day,
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1809–1882)