Independent Radio News provides a service of news bulletins, audio and copy to commercial radio stations in the UK and beyond.

It was founded in 1973 along with London's LBC radio station.

Shareholders include Capital Radio, Scottish Radio Holdings and GWR Group.

IRN's editorial services are provided by ITN.

IRN's services are taken up by many, though not all, commercial radio stations in the UK. Other providers of news bulletins, audio and copy include Sky News Radio.

Bulletins

At the top of each hour, IRN transmits three minute national news bulletins to stations across the UK via satellite, 24 hours a day. These bulletins, known as 'IRN180', are often broadcast overnight on local stations that do not have a journalist to provide overnight news cover.

IRN also transmits shorter, 90 second national news bulletins at the top of the hour during the night. These snappier bulletins, called 'IRN90', are often used by stations aimed at younger audiences.

Audio and Copy

At twenty minutes to the hour during the day via satellite, and via its website, IRN transmits to stations a selection of snippets of audio (or 'cuts') to illustrate the main news of the day. Stations can incorporate these 'cuts' in their news bulletins as they see fit.

IRN also provides scripts to introduce these 'cuts', which local stations can rewrite to fit their house style, or supplement with more locally relevant information.

The IRN audio channels also carry feeds of press conferences and sports reports, for local stations to broadcast live or record for later use.

External link

Independent Radio News (http://www.irn.co.uk/)