Alpha Newspaper Group
Encyclopedia
Alpha Newspaper Group is a media group, primarily involved in local newspaper publishing and radio broadcasting, in Northern Ireland
. The group has a significant share in the Northern Ireland media market.
, the primary circulation auditing body in the United Kingdom. The Group states, however, that it is the largest local newspaper group in Northern Ireland by circulation, with independently audited circulation figures of 76,814 from July to December 2010.
The group also holds interests in several radio
broadcasters and is a stakeholder
in six Northern Irish 'local' radio stations.
.
and River Media
are part of the consortium Northern Media Group
, which operates six radio stations in Northern Ireland:
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The group has a significant share in the Northern Ireland media market.
Ownership
The group is partly owned, and chaired, by businessman and retired Ulster Unionist politician Lord Kilclooney, formerly known as John Taylor.Business interests
Alpha Newspaper Group titles are not audited by ABCABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations UK)
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ABC has two roles:* To manage and uphold standards which reflect media industry needs...
, the primary circulation auditing body in the United Kingdom. The Group states, however, that it is the largest local newspaper group in Northern Ireland by circulation, with independently audited circulation figures of 76,814 from July to December 2010.
The group also holds interests in several radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
broadcasters and is a stakeholder
Stakeholder
The term stakeholder, as traditionally used in the English language in law and notably gambling, is a third party who temporarily holds money or property while its owner is still being determined....
in six Northern Irish 'local' radio stations.
Republic of Ireland interests
Alpha Newspapers own two newspapers in County Offaly (Tullamore and Midland Tribune) in the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Online presence
The Alpha Newspaper Group's publications are made available, in whole, or in part, at the domain names http://www.ulsternet.ie Ulsternet and Irelandnet.Newspapers
- Ballyclare GazetteBallyclare GazetteThe Ballyclare Gazette is a newspaper based in Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspaper Group and was established in May 1994. It is the largest circulation newspaper in the rural part of Newtownabbey Borough Council.Ballyclare is the centre of one of...
- Ballymena Guardian
- Carrickfergus AdvertiserCarrickfergus AdvertiserThe Carrickfergus Advertiser is a weekly newspaper in the east Antrim town of Carrickfergus. It is currently owned by the Alpha Newspaper Group, which is partly owned by former UUP MP John Taylor....
- Larne GazetteLarne GazetteThe Larne Gazette is a newspaper based in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspaper Group....
- Northern Constitution
- The Outlook
- Strabane Weekly News and Donegal Reporter
- Tyrone ConstitutionTyrone ConstitutionThe Tyrone Constitution is a newspaper based in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspaper Group. It describes itself as "The traditional newspaper for Omagh and district since 1844"....
- Tyrone CourierTyrone CourierThe Dungannon News and Tyrone Courier is a weekly newspaper based in Dungannon, County Tyrone, with an office in Cookstown Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspapers Group on Wednesdays....
- Ulster GazetteUlster GazetteThe Ulster Gazette, also known as the Ulster Gazette and Armagh Standard is a newspaper based in Armagh City, Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspaper Group and has the largest readership in Armagh City and District since 1844....
- Coleraine Chronicle
- Ballymena Chronicle
- Ballycastle Chronicle
- Limivady Chronicle
- Antrim Guardian
- Newry Democrat
Radio stations
Alpha Newspapers, The Irish NewsThe Irish News
The Irish News is a compact-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist in outlook...
and River Media
River Media
River Media is a media group based mainly in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Operating a chain of 6 weekly newspapers and six radio stations, the firm also owns Strawberry Media, an in-house advertising agency specializing in graphic design, public relations and website development...
are part of the consortium Northern Media Group
Northern Media Group
The Northern Media Group is the largest local radio group in Northern Ireland, owning six stations. The company was formed from a consortium which included The Irish News, River Media and the Alpha Newspaper Group and is based in Cookstown and Ballymena....
, which operates six radio stations in Northern Ireland:
- Five FMFive FMFive FM is a radio station based in Newry, County Down. It broadcasts on FM 100.5/101.1FM to Newry City and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland. The station broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community information for the area...
- Six FMSix FMSix FM is a radio station based in Cookstown, County Tyrone. It broadcasts on 106 & 107.2 FM to the Mid Ulster region of Northern Ireland plus other areas, or more specifically East Tyrone, South Londonderry and North Armagh. The station broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community...
- Seven FMSeven FMSeven FM is a radio station based in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ulster. It broadcasts on FM 107 to the north east of Northern Ireland. The station is located just outside of Ballymena. Seven FM broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community information for the area...
- Q102.9Q102.9Q102.9 "Northwest's Best Music" is a radio station based in Derry, County Londonderry. It broadcasts on FM 102.9 to the north west of Northern Ireland, Q102 also broadcasts via DAB throughout Northern Ireland via the Score NI multiplex. It is part of the Q Radio Network, which also owns a number...
- Q101.2Q101.2Q101.2 FM West is a radio station based in Market Street, Omagh, County Tyrone and in Belmore Mews Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.It broadcasts on the FM frequency on 101.2 to Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and the surrounding counties....
- Q 102