BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle has unveiled a refreshed weekday and weekend schedule for its 50th anniversary, effective May 5, 2025.
The update introduces new voices and formats while maintaining key programmes.
Vinny Hurrell and Cate Conway move to The Vinny And Cate Show from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday to Friday, offering pop music and conversation. Connor Phillips’ show extends to 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, continuing its entertainment focus.
Evening Extra becomes a one-hour news programme from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, hosted by Richard Morgan. Anne-Marie Wallace takes over a music show from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday. John Kerr hosts The Late Show from 10:00 PM to midnight, with Mickey Bradley on Fridays.
Other adjustments include The Ticket moving to Fridays at 6:00 PM, Ralph McLean’s music programmes from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Monday-Wednesday), and Stephen McCauley’s Friday show from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Irish-language programmes Blas and Blas Ceoil remain unchanged.
Eve Blair takes over Your Place And Mine on Saturdays at 8:00 AM. Kerry McLean’s morning show expands from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM, followed by David Maxwell’s Gardeners’ Corner at 9:00 AM and Consumer Fightback with Holly Hamilton at 10:00 AM. Saturday With John Toal remains from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Taylor Johnson debuts a Saturday evening show from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring nostalgic hits and emerging local artists, followed by Neil Martin’s Folk Club and The Late Show With Mike Edgar.
Sunday changes include Kerry McLean starting earlier at 6:30 AM, Sunday Sequence at 8:00 AM, a 10:00 AM news segment, and Sunday With Anna Curran from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Sounds Sacred, Kintra, and Classical Connections retain their slots, while Sunday With Brian D’Arcy moves to 9:00 PM, followed by Sunday Club with Kathy Clugston.
Emma Dunseith, BBC Northern Ireland’s Senior Head Of Content Production, says: “As we mark our 50th anniversary year we want to evolve with our audience’s needs and tastes with some fresh voices and formats joining the familiar faces and programmes they know and trust.
“Whatever the day brings for our listeners, we want to help them along with it, bringing a fantastic selection of distinctive local programming they could only find on BBC Radio Ulster/ Foyle.”