Classic Hits Radio in Ireland removed Ed Sheeran's music from its playlist in response to backlash over Macklemore's removal from the singer's Loop Tour. The station stated that the decision was made in response to listeners' feedback and the decision of Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga to withdraw from Sheeran's remaining tour dates in solidarity with Macklemore.Who owns Classic Hits Radio?Choice Broadcasting Ltd operates Ireland's Classic Hits Radio, which Bay Broadcasting owns 99% of, according to Media Ownership Ireland. The station debuted in 2009 as 4FM, with investors including Bay Broadcasting, Vienna Investments, The Irish Times, and Thomas Crosbie Holdings.Bay Broadcasting eventually raised its shareholding and gained control of Choice Broadcasting. The station was later rebranded as Classic Hits 4FM before being renamed Classic Hits Radio in 2021.The station caters mostly to listeners aged 45 and up, playing music from the 1970s to the 2000s, and broadcasts in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway.Why did Classic Hits Radio remove Ed Sheeran's music?Dave Kelly, group program director at Bay Broadcasting, stated that the decision was reached after examining listener feedback and the actions of Irish musicians involved in Ed Sheeran's tour.“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered.”Kelly added:“It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.”He stated that the station wished to support Irish musicians who had taken a significant professional decision based on their convictions:“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.”Dave Kelly concluded that the station valued "peace, humanity, and respect," as well as artists' freedom to express their deeply held beliefs:“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.”The station stated that Ed Sheeran's music will remain off the playlist while the decision was "under review." Classic Hits Radio is one of Ireland's most popular commercial radio stations, with 2.3 million adults in eight counties, according to its website.What happened between Macklemore and Ed Sheeran?Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks during his September 4 and 5 performances at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium sparked the controversy. He said:“My message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.”The Thrift Shop hitmaker added:“So I say free Palestine, I say free Lebanon, I say free Cuba, I say free Congo, free Sudan, I say free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organisation, ICE. None of us will be free until we’re all free.”Macklemore was eventually dropped from Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour. Sheeran later stated that the decision was made by the promoter rather than him, and that venues had conveyed that they would cancel upcoming events if Macklemore remained on the tour.Ed Sheeran also stated that he had communicated with venues, promoters, and campaigners in an effort to reach a settlement. Ed Sheeran took to his Instagram to address the situation:“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me. I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict.”Sheeran concluded:“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”Following Macklemore's removal, all four of Sheeran's remaining supporting acts, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe, withdrew from the tour.The developments have now extended beyond the tour itself, with Classic Hits Radio being the latest to respond to the controversy.Classic Hits Radio hasn't announced when Ed Sheeran's music may return to its playlists. The station has only confirmed that the decision is still under review.Meanwhile, Sheeran's Loop Tour is scheduled to continue, with his next concert on September 19 in Philadelphia. The singer has 17 more performances in North and South America before the tour ends in Mexico City on December 11.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.