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| Broadcast area | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Frequency | |
| RDS | Downtown |
| Programming | |
| Format | Hot Adult Contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bauer Media Audio UK |
| Cool FM Cool FM Old SkoolDowntown Country Greatest Hits Radio Northern Ireland | |
| History | |
First air date | 16 March 1976; 49 years ago (1976-03-16) |
Former frequencies | AM: 1026 kHz |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Rayo |
| Website | Official Website |
Downtown Radio is aHot Adult Contemporary music radio station based inNewtownards,County Down, that serves all ofNorthern Ireland using a network ofFM andDABtransmitters.
As of December 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 309,000 listeners according to RAJAR.[1]
The station, also known as DTR or simply Downtown, began broadcasting on 16 March 1976 - the same day asPrime MinisterHarold Wilson resigned. The station had a mini scoop, breaking the news over an hour beforeBBC Radio Ulster.[citation needed]
Downtown Radio has very much become part of the broadcasting landscape of the entire nine-countyprovince ofUlster. Many of its presenters, such as Trevor 'Big T' Campbell andCandy Devine, are household names - Campbell and Devine have been with Downtown since it began broadcasting.
Initially, Downtown was only contracted to broadcast to the Greater Belfast area, on1026kHz AM and96MHz (later97.4MHz) FM. However, following the collapse of plans for a station in theDerry region (Northside Sound) in 1983, Downtown applied to the formerIndependent Broadcasting Authority to extend its coverage. Transmitters covering the north west, the Causeway Coast andFermanagh/South Tyrone were opened in 1986 and 1987, and the station briefly rebranded itself as "DTRFM" to reflect its new audience reach.
The station reverted to Downtown Radio again in 1990 following the introduction of its sister station,Cool FM, although the latter only broadcast on the 97.4 frequency in the Greater Belfast area. Other transmitters remained with Downtown.
New FM transmitters in SouthDown/Armagh, and Mid and EastAntrim opened in the 1990s to improve reception in those areas.
The station has been very highly regarded in the past for its news output, and was a regular stop-off point for radio journalists coveringThe Troubles in Northern Ireland over a 30-year period. It was the first radio station inIreland to offer hourly news bulletins. Changes in management made in 2007, as well as the success of the peace process, have led to Downtown reducing its news output somewhat. It is notable for being one of the fewIndependent Local Radio stations to still cater for minority tastes such as gospel andjazz. The country music programmes broadcast several times a week are among Downtown's highest listenership ratings. In December 2012, Downtown opened a small studio inDerry ahead of the city’s year of beingUK City of Culture, situated in the Food Quarter within Foyleside Shopping Centre. It remains open and in use, mainly at the weekend with presenter-led programming on Saturday afternoon and Sunday covering a range of events in the region.
On 12 November 2023, it was announced that the station would cease broadcasting on medium wave (AM) before the end of the year.[2] AM programming ceased on 7 December 2023.
Past presenters includeEamonn Holmes andFrank Mitchell.[citation needed]