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The Group Chat

Virgin Media News
Gaza
Tiktok
Ireland
Housing Crisis
Social Media
Leo Varadkar
Stardust Fire
Cillian Murphy
Dublin
Israel
RTE
Simon Harris
Portal
Mental Health
Ibrahim Alagha
Sami Alagha
Fine Gael
Baby Reindeer
ADHD Traps
Oppenheimer

A weekly news podcast from Virgin Media Television featuring correspondents Gavan Reilly, Zara King and Richard Chambers. Join the gang every Thursday as they discuss the latest and breaking news from Ireland and around the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes173Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNews

Listen to this Podcast

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Latest Episodes

This week on The Group Chat:

Can Micheál Martin move on from the Jim Gavin fiasco?

And, one woman's experience of emergency accomodation and calling a hotel a home.

Plus, we look back at some of the stories we've enjoyed covering over the past ... more

This week on The Group Chat:

Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford tells us about reporting from the battle frontlines.

And, Ireland’s media minister talks tough about online safety.

Plus, world Excel champion Diarmuid Early finds that win... more

This week on The Group Chat:

A major new plan to cut red tape and speed up infrastructure.

A wartime leader pays a historic visit to Ireland.

Plus, what's the story behind those cringe videos that politicians keep posting online? Hosted on Acas... more

YouTube

This week on The Group Chat:

Is Donald Trump being played by Russia in the latest bid to end the war in Ukraine?

TikTok coming under more pressure to protect young users from harmful content on the platform.

Plus, the Cork farmer who's vowed to ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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In The NewsThe Irish Times

Recent Guests

Alex Crawford
Sky News special correspondent known for reporting from dangerous conflict zones
Sky News
Episode: Taking Shelter from Bullets in Warzones, with Alex Crawford
Diarmuid Early
2025 World Champion in Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel competition
Episode: Taking Shelter from Bullets in Warzones, with Alex Crawford
Shona Murray
Europe correspondent with Euronews
Euronews
Episode: Bombs and F-Bombs: Welcome to Trump’s World
Fawaz Gerges
Professor of International Politics at the London School of Economics
Episode: How Bibi Ran Rings Around Trump on Iran
Liam Cunningham
Actor and humanitarian activist.
Episode: Genocide in 4K: Liam Cunningham on Gaza
Stephen Breen
Crime Editor of The Irish Sun
The Irish Sun
Episode: What does Ireland have to do with Israeli war bonds?
Michael Safi
International correspondent at The Guardian and presenter of Today in Focus
The Guardian
Episode: Inside the White House
Eric Mathews
Owner of Kickies restaurant, discussing crime experiences in Dublin
Kickies
Episode: “We're Fed Up” – Dublin Crime in Focus
Nicola Byrne
A mother from County Mayo dealing with the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Episode: Storm Éowyn: Ireland's Humanitarian Crisis

Hosts

Gavan Reilly
Co-host and commentator known for his insightful analysis and engagement with current affairs and news reporting.
Zara King
Co-host and journalist, recognized for her contributions to discussions on current events and news reportage.
Richard Chambers
Co-host and broadcaster with expertise in political analysis and news coverage, known for his compelling communication style.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 352 ratings
  • Irish politics chit-chat.

    Podchaser
    3
    Seán
    2 months ago
  • Should be renamed ‘Group think’

    Biased limited podcast. Talk to other journalists please and not just those who confirm your views, especially on Gaza/Israel. Stop ignoring Ukraine and educate yourselves. Am unfollowing- can’t listen anymore

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa
    Ireland6 months ago
  • A disappointed listener 🥲

    I have always been a fan of this podcast from the very first episode, it was a short synopsis of weekly news which I found very helpful, clear, easy to comprehend and always looked forward to Thursday to get my news fix. However, in recent times I find there is a lack of balance on views/opinions particularly from Richard. I give full praise to Gavin for his measured assessment of current affairs and politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RosedotS
    Ireland9 months ago
  • International affairs

    Any chance the group could pay a bit more attention to Ukraine?? Potentially hugely consequential, ongoing war crimes, the issue of kidnapped children doesn’t seem to matter!! ?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa
    Ireland9 months ago
  • Relaxed chat

    Love the group chat & listen every week . Ye are very at ease together & the listener can feel that . The review of the year was refreshing & so fair & balanced .

    And ye have a laugh also which lifts all our spirits

    Looking forward to next episode in early January & wishing you all a happy new year .

    Joan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cant think of one !!
    Irelanda year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are some criticisms regarding perceived biases in political commentary, particularly around sensitive topics.
Feedback highlights a desire for more balanced reporting on certain international issues, especially regarding conflicts.
The hosts' rapport is frequently commended, with reviewers noting an enjoyable and relatable listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and the combination of serious analysis with lighthearted banter.
Many reviews reflect a strong enjoyment of the informative nature of the episodes, often calling them insightful and enlightening.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Taking Shelter from Bullets in Warzones, with Alex Crawford
Q: What was most interesting about your experience in competitive Excel?
It has become a much larger community with more active engagement and lots of opportunities to learn and exchange ideas.
Taking Shelter from Bullets in Warzones, with Alex Crawford
Q: In a moment like that, what exactly are you thinking as you're caught with bullets flying all around you?
I'm thinking how the hell are we going to get out of here alive?
How Bibi Ran Rings Around Trump on Iran
Q: What does Israel aim to achieve with their recent attacks on Iran?
Israel seems to have the broader strategic aim of regime change in Iran, aiming to sabotage any positive diplomatic efforts.
How Bibi Ran Rings Around Trump on Iran
Q: What was the US and Iran's status before the recent attacks?
The United States and Iran were reportedly building trust and making progress in their diplomatic talks.
How Bibi Ran Rings Around Trump on Iran
Q: How did we get to this point with Iran and Israel?
Fawaz Gerges explains that the Israeli Prime Minister has been focused on Iran for years, but recent events and changes in U.S. administration have escalated tensions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Group Chat

What is The Group Chat about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly news analysis show that covers current affairs with a focus on the latest developments in Ireland and global events. The discussions offer a mix of political analysis, insights into societal issues, and engaging conversations around significant international topics, including crises in Ukraine and Gaza. Notably, it features the hosts' varied perspectives and a blend of serious commentary with lighthearted banter, making complex topics more accessible and relatable to listeners. The format caters to those looking for an informed yet entertaining take on the week's news, backed by the hosts' strong rapport and individual expertise.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Group Chat?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Group Chat. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Group Chat and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Group Chat get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Group Chat?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Group Chat, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Group Chat have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Group Chat has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Group Chat?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Group Chat:

1. Catch Up with Louise McSharry
2. Path to Power
3. The Indo Daily
4. In The News
5. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan

How many episodes of The Group Chat are there?

The Group Chat launched 4 years ago and published 173 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Group Chat?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Group Chat?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Group Chat from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Group Chat?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Group Chat. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Group Chat?

Recent guests on The Group Chat include:

1. Alex Crawford
2. Diarmuid Early
3. Shona Murray
4. Fawaz Gerges
5. Liam Cunningham
6. Stephen Breen
7. Michael Safi
8. Eric Mathews

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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