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The Group Chat

Virgin Media News
Gaza
Tiktok
Ireland
Housing Crisis
Social Media
Leo Varadkar
Stardust Fire
Cillian Murphy
Israel
Dublin
RTE
Simon Harris
Portal
Mental Health
Sami Alagha
Ibrahim 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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes162Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNews

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Latest Episodes

This week on The Group Chat:

Donald Trump once again dominated global headlines with a fiery address to the UN General Assembly in New York, taking aim at climate change, immigration, and even the UN itself – before sparking a medical storm by pushi... more

Sinn Féin is about to make a “gamechanger” move on the presidential election this weekend, keeping the race for the Áras buzzing. Will Gareth Sheridan make it onto the ballot through the council route? Could other independents join him? Conor McGrego... more

This week on The Group Chat, we look at the rise of political violence at home and abroad.

In the US, the shooting dead of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through politics, while here, the Tánaiste has revealed threats made against him. We ask wha... more

The Group Chat is back with a brand-new season! Zara King, Richard Chambers and Gavan Reilly cut through the noise of the week’s headlines — from the crawling Race for the Áras, to the tough road ahead for new Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, and the... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Michael Healy-Rae
Independent TD for Kerry
Episode: Minister Michael Healy-Rae? How Independents will affect government formation
Rosanne Ibrahim
Syrian-Irish journalist
Episode: Election 2024 Wrapped

Hosts

Gavan Reilly
Host of the Group Chat and Virgin Media Television correspondent. Gavan is known for his insightful analyses and engaging delivery, frequently addressing political dynamics and current affairs.
Zara King
Host of the Group Chat and correspondent at Virgin Media Television. Zara brings a unique perspective on current events and human rights issues, contributing to the show's dynamic dialogue.
Richard Chambers
Host of the Group Chat and senior correspondent for Virgin Media Television. Richard is recognized for his critical insight and ability to address intricate political topics with clarity.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 348 ratings
  • 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
    Ireland3 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
    Ireland6 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
    Ireland6 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 !!
    Ireland9 months ago
  • Gaza Groupthink

    Seriously need to address the group think when it comes to Gaza and Israel!!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa
    Ireland9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The trio's chemistry is frequently praised for making the podcast feel like a casual chat among friends, which helps to engage audiences on serious matters.
Listeners appreciate the casual yet insightful discussions that make complex news more relatable.
The podcast maintains a loyal fan base, with many expressing affection for its engaging format and the hosts' camaraderie.
There are mixed reviews regarding perceived biases on certain topics, prompting discussions about inclusivity in perspectives.
Some feedback indicates a desire for more balanced discussions, particularly on global issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict, with listeners seeking a wider variety of viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Gaza at Tipping Point
Q: What difference do you think it's going to make now when we hear from the likes of Keir Starmer?
It's frustrating for activism that despite daily condemnation, there are no visible changes or resolutions to the crisis.
"You will never be able to uproot us from our homeland" – Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland
Q: If you had the choice, though, to choose a path forward, what would be your ambition?
Ambassador Jelaine discusses the importance of international support for Palestinian rights and emphasizes stability through the recognition of these rights.

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 commentary show that engages listeners with discussions on both local and global current events. The hosts, who share a rapport and an accessible style, tackle a range of topics from political developments in Ireland to international conflicts, particularly focusing on pressing social issues like housing and human rights. Their analyses often feature a blend of serious discussions with light-hearted banter, making the complex news digestible and engaging. Listeners can expect a mix of insights on Irish politics, international affairs, cultural commentary, and poignant humanitarian issues that resonate with contemporary societal challenges.

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?

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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 162 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. Shona Murray
2. Fawaz Gerges
3. Liam Cunningham
4. Stephen Breen
5. Michael Safi
6. Eric Mathews
7. Nicola Byrne
8. Michael Healy-Rae

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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