RTÉ 2fm has apparently abandoned the weekday youth market which was once its key target and has launched a new schedule in which the average age of its presenters is over 45. Ryan Tubridy, at 37, is now the station's youngest daytime presenter.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Tubridy disregarded the issue of age at the station saying, "My concern isn't about market and audience [in terms of age]. I've got a job to do and I want to do good radio. I don't care who you are, or how old you are as long as you're doing good radio. If my mother likes it or my nephew likes it, either way I'm happy," he said, adding, "I just want to get on with it."

While weekend slots at the station, which are less important in terms of advertising revenue, are now populated by DJs in their late twenties and thirties (Paddy McKenna and Jenny Greene, both 28, are now the station's youngest presenters), most of 2fm's daytime presenters are now in their late thirties and forties.

Breakfast presenter Colm Hayes is in his late forties, with Dave Fanning 55 years old and the ever popular Larry Gogan truly earning the title of 'veteran' at 72.

However 2fm bosses must be encouraged that Tubridy, a prolific user of Twitter, is bringing some savviness in the world of social media to the station, an area in which it is lacking despite the enthusiasm of fellow presenter Rick O'Shea. Indeed, Tubridy tweeted about his return to the airwaves on Thursday night ahead of his 'surprise' takeover of the slot on Friday morning.

Tubridy told the Sunday Tribune that he felt "drained" after his first slot on Friday.

"I had been thinking about the show all week and there was clearly an emotional connection to it with Gerry," Tubridy said. "I felt under great pressure to keep his listeners happy and comfortable, and I was conscious of Gerry and his family, and conscious of my own performance." He described the show as "okay", adding, "I don't think I got it right, but we did okay, with a view to major improvement personally."

2fm previously targeted the 15-34 demographic, but has begun to re-position in order to target the competitive 20-44-year-old market, of which Today FM already has a large slice.

While Tubridy is under a lot of pressure to bring in a huge audience, he said he was "happy" with the rest of the schedule changes at the station. "I think it's good for 2fm; it was getting a bit tired sounding," he said.

"I think the personality people will hear of me on the radio will be new. I've been quite restricted in my recent jobs, in The Late Late Show and on Radio One, you're not allowed let loose, you can't be the same guy you are in the pub or coffee shop."

Meanwhile, RTÉ will focus on gathering younger and more music savvy listeners as it continues to expand its digital service, especially the music-driven 2XM, although many are questioning how the broadcaster can sustain progress in that area without some injection of revenue or at the very least paying the DJs on their six digital stations.

Living the life...

Hector O hEochagáin (7 to 9) 41

Ryan Tubridy (9 to 11) 37

Colm Hayes (11 to 1) late 40s

Larry Gogan (1 to 2) 72

Rick O'Shea (2 to 4.30) 37

Will Leahy (4.30 to 7) 39

Dave Fanning (7 to 9) 55