Belfast CityBeat
Encyclopedia
Belfast CityBeat is a two-time Arqiva 'Station Of The Year' and multi-Sony Award winning Northern Irish
radio station
. It broadcasts to Greater Belfast
on 96.7 MHz FM
and on DAB Digital Radio
across all of Northern Ireland. From 5 April 2007, Citybeat became available on 102.5FM for North Belfast
, Newtownabbey
and Carrickfergus
. On 2 November 2007, Citybeat launched a third FM transmitter also broadcasting on 102.5FM for Bangor. Citybeat plays a mixture of songs from the early 1980s right up to more modern music from the late 1980s and beyond as well as local news, sport and information.
Citybeat reaches a weekly audience of 144,000 listeners in Belfast, around 25% of the adult population.
', Northern Ireland's biggest ever talent search for young people. The contest was created and is hosted by Stuart Robinson
.
than any other commercial radio station in Northern Ireland along with a number of other top awards. Recent awards include:
, CityBeat had a couple of short lived affiliate stations on AM
, namely Goldbeat
828 (Formerly Townland Radio) in Cookstown
, and Heartbeat 1521 (formerly Radio 1521
) in Craigavon
. Citybeat handed back the licences to the Radio Authority just two years after buying the stations due to lack of commercial viability. Heartbeat was on the air from 1996 to 1999 and Goldbeat
broadcast between 1995 and 1999. The licence for Craigavon has to date never been re-advertised however Cookstown was re-advertised on FM in 2002 and was ironically granted back to Citybeat (by now under new ownership of CN group) in February 2003 Mid FM was launched as the local radio station for Mid-Ulster (from the same building and studio as Townland/Goldbeat broadcast). In 2006 Citybeat sold the station to Northern Media (owners of Ballymena 7fm); they rebranded the station to Six FM
.
From 2000 to 2004, Citybeat also broadcast RSL
stations Castle FM
in Carrickfergus
and Bangor FM
in Bangor to support local festivals. In August 2000 Citybeat also provided Fast FM in Irvinestown
as a trial broadcast for the pending commercial licence for Omagh
and Enniskillen
. The licence was later awarded to Q Network Radio
s Q101.2
.
, a community focused station which failed to attract listener interest. BCR launched at 7.30am on 6 April 1990 and managed to stay on the air for six years. BCR presenters prior to the 1996 relaunch included Rick Nugent, Maurice Jay
, Mal Reynolds, Stuart Robinson
, Phil Doyle, Paul Orr and Stephen Nolan
. At the time of its demise, BCR was pulling in little over 30,000 listeners. Stuart Robinson
was the last presenter on BCR when it switched to Citybeat at midnight on 30 September 1996.
The station broadcast from the basement of Russell Court Complex on Belfast's Lisburn Road. In 1997 (as Citybeat) the station moved to Stranmillis before moving in 2006 to Ormeau Road.
Rick Nugent was the first presenter on BCR who launched the station with "Maira O'Connell" and "Feet of a Dancer". Nugent left when Citybeat started in 1996 but returned as Nolan's replacement in 2003 before leaving again in 2005.
Its main competition is Bauer Radio-owned Cool FM
and Downtown Radio
and also U105
.
The local BBC station is BBC Radio Ulster
. In addition all national BBC
, RTÉ
and UK/ROI
national commercial stations can be received in Belfast. Some pirate stations (mainly operating along the Armagh border) along with a selection of regular RSL
stations and 4 full time community stations can also be heard in the Citybeat area. A selection of national digital stations are also available on the Northern Ireland DAB multiplex and Queen's University Student Radio
in Belfast is broadcast on MW/AM
.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
. It broadcasts to Greater Belfast
Greater Belfast
Greater Belfast is an area surrounding and including Belfast in Northern Ireland.It includes Belfast and parts of the North Down, Lisburn, Castlereagh and Newtownabbey district council areas. Greater Belfast is the largest urban area in Northern Ireland, and second largest in Ireland...
on 96.7 MHz FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
and on DAB Digital Radio
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
across all of Northern Ireland. From 5 April 2007, Citybeat became available on 102.5FM for North Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
and Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
. On 2 November 2007, Citybeat launched a third FM transmitter also broadcasting on 102.5FM for Bangor. Citybeat plays a mixture of songs from the early 1980s right up to more modern music from the late 1980s and beyond as well as local news, sport and information.
Citybeat reaches a weekly audience of 144,000 listeners in Belfast, around 25% of the adult population.
Young Star Search
From 2007 to 2010, the radio station was the home of 'The Young Star SearchYoung Star Search
The Young Star Search is a kids' talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland and is the current holder of the New York Festival Gold Award for best global radio station promotion. It was also nominated two years running at the UK Arqiva Radio Awards...
', Northern Ireland's biggest ever talent search for young people. The contest was created and is hosted by Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
.
Current presenters
- Paul Orr 1995–1999, 2005–present
- David McCammond 2007–present
- Emma Fitzpatrick 2008–present
- Owen Beers 1991–1997, 2000, 2008–present
- John Kearns 2009–present
- Glen Pavis 2009–present
- Mairead Campbell 2008–present
- Mark Lima 2004–2009, 2010–present
- Stephen Clements 2010–present
- Ricky K 2010–present
- Stuart Dunwoody 2010–present
- Andy Baird 2010–present
- Rebecca Lenard 2010–present
- Mark Wesley 2010–present
- Ibe Sesay 2011–present
- Stuart Banford 2011-present
Awards and nominations
Citybeat has won more Sony Radio Academy AwardsSony Radio Academy Awards
The Sony Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, are some of the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. They are run by ZAFER Associates in association with the Radio Academy...
than any other commercial radio station in Northern Ireland along with a number of other top awards. Recent awards include:
- Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
Sony Gold 2002 - Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
Sony Gold x2 2003 - Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
Sony Gold x2 2004 + Sony Silver - NTL Station of the Year 2003
- Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
- Best presenter Irish Entertainment Awards 2003 - Joe Ferguson - Best presenter Irish Entertainment Awards 2004
- Mark & Dave - Best Irish Breakfast Show Irish Entertainment Awards 2006
- Marc MallettMarc MallettMarc Mallett is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist. He is presently a newsreader and reporter at UTV. .-Broadcasting career:Mallett began his broadcasting career on the hospital radio station at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast...
IPR Award - News Broadcaster of the Year 2007 - Keith Law PANI Award - for JONJOE SAT NAV spoof The One That Got Away / Production Award 2007
- Mark & Dave - Best Irish Breakfast Show Irish Entertainment Awards 2007
- Irish radio station of the year - Irish Entertainment Awards 2007
- Bronse New York Festival - News Programme 'Belfast Tonight' 2007
- ArqivaArqivaArqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
UK Commercial Radio Station of the Year 2007 - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
P&M Awards Nomination 2007 - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
Arqiva UK Commercial Radio Awards Nomination 2008 - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
& Work Experience Boy - Best presenter Irish Entertainment Awards 2008 - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
Belfast Awards Nomination 2008 - Keith Law VOX Award Highly commended- Use of Humour 2008–09
- Keith Law VOX Award Highly Commended- Best newcomer 2008–09
- Keith Law Radio-Awards.net Best in category 2009
- Keith Law Radio-Awards.net Grand Prix Northern Ireland 2009
- Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
Arqiva UK Commercial Radio Awards Nomination 2009 - Belfast Tonight - Silver Award 'Best News Programme' New York Festival 2009
- Keith Law, Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
and Work Experience Boy - Silver Award 'Best Comedy Feature' New York Festival 2009 - Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
- Gold Award 'Best Station Promotion' New York Festival 2009
Affiliates
Under the ownership of Owen OystonOwen Oyston
Owen John Oyston is a controversial self-made multimillionaire English businessman who is the majority owner of Blackpool F.C.. He was convicted of rape in 1996 and served three years of a six-year sentence in prison....
, CityBeat had a couple of short lived affiliate stations on AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
, namely Goldbeat
Goldbeat
Goldbeat was a mediumwave radio station broadcasting on 828 kHz in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. It was launched in 1995 as Townland Radio, but was purchased in 1997 by media tycoon Owen Oyston who had already bought and relaunched Belfast Community Radio in 1996...
828 (Formerly Townland Radio) in Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
, and Heartbeat 1521 (formerly Radio 1521
Radio 1521
Radio 1521 was a radio station based in County Armagh, Northern Ireland from 1996 to 1999. The station broadcast from Craigavon and covered much of mid-Ulster....
) in Craigavon
Craigavon
Craigavon is a settlement in north County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was a planned settlement that was begun in 1965 and named after Northern Ireland's first Prime Minister — James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon. It was intended to be a linear city incorporating Lurgan and Portadown, but this plan...
. Citybeat handed back the licences to the Radio Authority just two years after buying the stations due to lack of commercial viability. Heartbeat was on the air from 1996 to 1999 and Goldbeat
Goldbeat
Goldbeat was a mediumwave radio station broadcasting on 828 kHz in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. It was launched in 1995 as Townland Radio, but was purchased in 1997 by media tycoon Owen Oyston who had already bought and relaunched Belfast Community Radio in 1996...
broadcast between 1995 and 1999. The licence for Craigavon has to date never been re-advertised however Cookstown was re-advertised on FM in 2002 and was ironically granted back to Citybeat (by now under new ownership of CN group) in February 2003 Mid FM was launched as the local radio station for Mid-Ulster (from the same building and studio as Townland/Goldbeat broadcast). In 2006 Citybeat sold the station to Northern Media (owners of Ballymena 7fm); they rebranded the station to Six FM
Six FM
Six FM is a radio station based in Cookstown, County Tyrone. It broadcasts on 106 & 107.2 FM to the Mid Ulster region of Northern Ireland plus other areas, or more specifically East Tyrone, South Londonderry and North Armagh. The station broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community...
.
From 2000 to 2004, Citybeat also broadcast RSL
Restricted Service Licence
A UK Restricted Service Licence , is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event...
stations Castle FM
Castle FM
Castle FM is a short-term radio station based in Carrickfergus, County AntrimThe radio station transmitted twice annually between 1998-2005 and after a six year break will return in July 2011....
in Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
and Bangor FM
Bangor FM
Bangor FM, is based in Bangor, County Down and is a short-term radio station in Northern Ireland.The radio station transmits usually annually from the heart of Bangor and broadcasts a mixture of music, news and information for a potential audience of over 80,000 adults in the North Down area.Bangor...
in Bangor to support local festivals. In August 2000 Citybeat also provided Fast FM in Irvinestown
Irvinestown
Irvinestown is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 1,801 people. The most notable building is the ruined 18th century church.-History:...
as a trial broadcast for the pending commercial licence for Omagh
Omagh
Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...
and Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
. The licence was later awarded to Q Network Radio
Q Network Radio
The Q Radio Network is a group of three local radio stations in Northern Ireland, owned by the Northern Media Group. The head office is on Rossdowney Road in Waterside near Derry and the three stations are:* Q102.9 - Derry, Northern Ireland...
s Q101.2
Q101.2
Q101.2 FM West is a radio station based in Market Street, Omagh, County Tyrone and in Belmore Mews Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.It broadcasts on the FM frequency on 101.2 to Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and the surrounding counties....
.
BCR (1990–1996)
Prior to its relaunch in 1996, Citybeat was known as BCR or Belfast Community RadioBelfast Community Radio
Belfast Community Radio or BCR, was a radio station that broadcast to Belfast between 1990 and 1996. The station broadcast from the basement of Russell Court Complex on Belfast's Lisburn Road. It was replaced by Belfast CityBeat.-History:...
, a community focused station which failed to attract listener interest. BCR launched at 7.30am on 6 April 1990 and managed to stay on the air for six years. BCR presenters prior to the 1996 relaunch included Rick Nugent, Maurice Jay
Maurice Jay
Maurice Jay is a radio and television personality in Northern Ireland. He is currently the Programme Controller for a Belfast radio station that is part of the UTV Media group. Jay played lead roles in over 100 UK-wide performances of West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein...
, Mal Reynolds, Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
, Phil Doyle, Paul Orr and Stephen Nolan
Stephen Nolan
Stephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
. At the time of its demise, BCR was pulling in little over 30,000 listeners. Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
was the last presenter on BCR when it switched to Citybeat at midnight on 30 September 1996.
The station broadcast from the basement of Russell Court Complex on Belfast's Lisburn Road. In 1997 (as Citybeat) the station moved to Stranmillis before moving in 2006 to Ormeau Road.
Rick Nugent was the first presenter on BCR who launched the station with "Maira O'Connell" and "Feet of a Dancer". Nugent left when Citybeat started in 1996 but returned as Nolan's replacement in 2003 before leaving again in 2005.
General station information
- 96.7FM has been transmitting since April 1990, first as BCR, later as Citybeat.
- The Citybeat news jingleJingleA jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
from 1998 is heard in the film Divorcing JackDivorcing Jack (film)Divorcing Jack is a 1998 satirical black comedy. The plot is set around the Northern Irish reporter Dan Starkey who gets entangled into a web of political intrigue and Irish sectarian violence, at the same time as Northern Ireland is set to elect a new Prime Minister...
. The lead character is heard listening to Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
, Chris Buckler & Christine BleakleyChristine BleakleyChristine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
, who were Citybeat presenters at the time.
- The last presenter to broadcast on BCR was Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
at midnight on 30 September 1996. The last song to be played on BCR was "Sacrifice" by Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
. The Station relaunched as Citybeat with new breakfast presenters Dave Stevens and Caroline Bartley. Robinson, was Citybeat's longest serving presenter, clocking up 15 years with the station, his last Citybeat show was broadcast on Friday 26 November 2010 and was also the last voice heard on Citybeat's sister station Radio 1521Radio 1521Radio 1521 was a radio station based in County Armagh, Northern Ireland from 1996 to 1999. The station broadcast from Craigavon and covered much of mid-Ulster....
(Heartbeat) in Craigavon in August 1999.
- The first song played on Citybeat was at midnight on 1 October 1996 and was Starship with We Built This CityWe Built This City"We Built This City" is the title of a song written by Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf, and originally recorded by the American pop rock group Starship and released as its debut single on August 1, 1985....
.
- Belfast born Brian KennedyBrian Kennedy (singer)Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy is an Irish singer-songwriter and author, known for his ballads, and has represented Ireland at Eurovision 2006. He is the younger brother of musician Bap Kennedy.-Personal life:...
was the choice to open the stations new studios in 2006. Kennedy, a Citybeat fan, credits the Belfast station as playing a huge part in his success.
- Citybeat's FM transmitters are based on the Black Mountain transmitting stationBlack Mountain transmitting stationThe Black Mountain transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated on land 301 metres above Ordnance Datum to the west of the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland . It includes a guyed steel lattice mast which is 228.6 metres in height...
for 96.7FM, Carnmoney Hill for 102.5FM in Newtownabbey and Bryansburn Road, Bangor Town Centre for 102.5FM in North Down. Programmes are broadcast from modern studios located on the Ormeau RoadOrmeau RoadThe Ormeau Road is a road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ormeau Park is adjacent to it. It forms part of the A24.-History:Having previously been the home of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, a road was first built in 1815, when it was known more commonly as the New Ballynafeigh Road...
close to Belfast city centre.
- From October 2001, Citybeat has been available on the Northern Ireland Digital Multiplex - giving the station province wide coverage. The 6 digital transmitter sites are Black Mountain (Greater Belfast), Colinward (North Belfast/South East Antrim), Limavady (North Coast), Sherrifs Mountain (Londonderry / North West), Strabane (The West) and Brougher Mountain (Fermanagh & Tyrone).
- Citybeat's newer transmitters both broadcast on 102.5FM and deliver the station to areas previously sheltered by the Cavehill, such as North Belfast, Newtownabbey, Glengormley and Carrickfergus. Another transmitter also on 102.5FM provides coverage for Bangor and North County Down.
- Citybeat's main 96.7 MHz FM transmitter on Black Mountain has a power output of 600W with mixed polarisation.
Competition
Citybeat regularly attracts the largest market share of all commercial radio in the Belfast area. Its current audience is 144,000 listeners weekly in Belfast, however the station also attracts additional audience on FM outside Belfast, on DAB digital radio across Northern Ireland and online listening which is not included in this figure. (RAJAR fig. qrt03/09)Its main competition is Bauer Radio-owned Cool FM
Cool FM
97.4 Cool FM is a commercial radio station, based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, owned and operated by Bauer Radio and part of the Big City Network. The station began broadcasting in 1990 when its parent station Downtown Radio ceased simulcasting and split its AM and FM frequencies into two...
and Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio is an Adult Contemporary music radio station based in Newtownards, County Down, that serves all of Northern Ireland using a network of FM and AM transmitters.- History :...
and also U105
U105
U105 is a Belfast based radio station, providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins. It is owned by UTV Radio and was launched at 6am on Monday 14 November 2005....
.
The local BBC station is BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster is one of two Northern Irish BBC radio stations, the other being BBC Radio Foyle located in the city of Derry. BBC Radio Ulster is located at Broadcasting House in the Ormeau Avenue area of Belfast city centre...
. In addition all national BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
and UK/ROI
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
national commercial stations can be received in Belfast. Some pirate stations (mainly operating along the Armagh border) along with a selection of regular RSL
Restricted Service Licence
A UK Restricted Service Licence , is typically granted to radio stations and television stations broadcasting within the UK to serve a local community or a special event...
stations and 4 full time community stations can also be heard in the Citybeat area. A selection of national digital stations are also available on the Northern Ireland DAB multiplex and Queen's University Student Radio
Queen's Radio
Queen's Radio is a student radio station, broadcasting a wide variety of , based at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, currently broadcasting via Its studios are located in the Students' Union building...
in Belfast is broadcast on MW/AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
.
Past presenters
- Stuart RobinsonStuart RobinsonStuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
1995–2010 - Stephen Ferguson 2010–2010
- Robin Elliott 2001–2010
- Paul FrancisPaul FrancisPaul Francis is an American business executive and politician who served as the Director of State Operations for the State of New York. In that position, he oversaw the states' eight major departments, along with the other offices and divisions of the Government of New York...
2002–2005; 2006–2010 - David ColemanDavid ColemanDavid Coleman, OBE is an English former sports commentator and TV presenter who worked for the BBC for almost fifty years. In 2000, he was awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the Olympic movement....
2007–2010 - Suzy Caddell 2005–2007 / 2009
- Shane Pearce 2009
- Vicky Pitchers 2008–2009
- Stephanie Campbell 2009
- Owen Larkin 1998–2009
- Neal McClelland 1999; 2004–2005; 2006–2009
- Andy PughAndy PughAndrew "Andy" John Pugh is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Welling United.He is a striker who signed scholarship forms with Gillingham in 2005 and made his debut as a substitute in a home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on 20 February 2007.It was announced on 8 May 2007...
2004–2009 - Lisa McCormick 2002; 2005–2008
- David Gordon 2005–2008
- Marc MallettMarc MallettMarc Mallett is a Northern Irish broadcaster and journalist. He is presently a newsreader and reporter at UTV. .-Broadcasting career:Mallett began his broadcasting career on the hospital radio station at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast...
1997–2007 - Dave McGeagh 2004–2007
- Tierna Magee 2006–2007
- Lauren Hood 2006–2007
- Stevie Robinson 2003–2006
- Maurice JayMaurice JayMaurice Jay is a radio and television personality in Northern Ireland. He is currently the Programme Controller for a Belfast radio station that is part of the UTV Media group. Jay played lead roles in over 100 UK-wide performances of West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein...
1993–1997; 2001–2005 - Johnny Glover 2004–2005
- Kenny Tosh 1995–2005
- David JohnsonDavid JohnsonDavid Johnson may refer to:* C. David Johnson , Canadian actor* David Johnson , American painter* David Johnson , American former college football quarterback...
1994–2004 - Marty WilsonMarty WilsonMarty Wilson is an English professional poker player from Wolverhampton. His nickname originates from when, as a teenager, he escaped several rival football fans by jumping into a polar bear pit....
1996–2000 - Phil West 1992–1995; 1997–2005
- Stephen NolanStephen NolanStephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies....
1995–2003 - George Seth 2006–2007
- Kenny DavisKenny DavisKenny Davis is an American jazz bassist.Davis released two albums as leader for Soul Note.He was also member of the Blue Note Records group Out of the Blue and has appeared on albums by Gary Bartz, Art Farmer, Don Byron, Eric Person, Michele Rosewoman, Onaje Allan Gumbs and others.Kenny is...
1999–2006 - Bob Lea 2005–2007
- Andrew GoldAndrew GoldAndrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
1997–2004 - Gayle Hunter 1998–2004
- Nick RichardsNick RichardsNick Richards is a British singer/musician who is perhaps best known internationally as the frontman for the 1980s synth pop/new wave band Boys Don't Cry...
1997–2001 - Nigel Skuce 1998–1999; 2000
- John Byrne 1999–2000
- Sam McFerran 1998–2001
- Jimmy Leavy 2005
- Noel Hyndman 1990–2000
- Gavin Healey 1994–1996
- Ross Mawhinney 1999–2003
- Lisa Flavelle 1993–1997
- Olive Melville 1995–1996
- Dave StephensDave StephensDavid Eldon Stephens is a retired male javelin thrower from United States, who twice represented his native country at the Summer Olympics: in 1988 and 1996. He set his personal best with the old javelin type on May 3, 1991 in Knoxville, Tennessee.-Achievements:-References:*...
1996 - Davy Cunningham 1994–1997; 1998
- Phil Doyle 1995–2000
- Davy Cash 1995–2000
- Eddie West 1998–1999
- Justin McCartney 2002–2004
- Derek Flood 2001
- Mary Johnston 1990–1996; 1998
- Rick Nugent 1990–1996; 2003–2005
- Ronan KellyRonan KellyRonan Kelly is an Irish radio documentary producer, working with RTÉ, specialising in short-form documentaries.In June 2011, along with producer Paul Russell, he won a Grand Award and Gold at the for the RTE radio documentary Don't Go Far....
1990–1991; 2003 - Joe Ferguson 2004–2005
- Denise Watson 1995–1999
- Alan Jenkins 1994–1997
- Christine BleakleyChristine BleakleyChristine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
1995–1998 - Chris Buckler 1997–2001
- Nigel Ringland 1997–2000
- John Rosborough 2000–2004
- Mark Somerville 1995–1996; 2001–2004
- Mal Reynolds 1990–1996
- Neil McLeodNeil McLeodNeil McLeod was a Prince Edward Island lawyer, judge and politician, the fifth Premier. He was born at Uigg on the island to Roderick McLeod and Flora McDonald, Scottish immigrants. He was educated in Uigg and in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, articled in law at Charlottetown and was called to the bar in...
2005