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| Broadcast area | Wales |
|---|---|
| Frequencies |
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| Programming | |
| Language | Welsh |
| Format | Freeform (Welsh) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | BBC |
| Operator | BBC Cymru Wales |
| History | |
First air date | 29 January 2018; 7 years ago (2018-01-29) |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | Ofcom |
| Links | |
| Webcast | BBC Sounds |
| Website | BBC Radio Cymru 2 |
BBC Radio Cymru 2 is aWelsh language radio station owned and operated byBBC Cymru Wales, a division of theBBC. It broadcasts across Wales onDAB, digital TV andBBC Sounds.
Radio Cymru 2 broadcasts music-led programming for up to 60 hours a week, as an opt-out from the mainBBC Radio Cymru service, which provides shared programming at certain hours of the day. The station also simulcasts overnight programming fromBBC Radio 2 after closedown.
The managing editor of BBC Radio Cymru is Dafydd Meredydd, a former presenter and producer for both stations.
On 19 September 2016, BBC Cymru launched a pop-up radio station,Radio Cymru Mwy (Radio Cymru More), broadcasting for three months in the run-up to Radio Cymru's 40th anniversary. Consisting of five hours of music-led entertainment programming each weekday, Radio Cymru Mwy was available on DAB in south east Wales and online.[1]
Six months after the station closed, BBC Cymru announced it would launch a permanent second station,Radio Cymru 2. The new service would air breakfast programming every morning on digital and online platforms, as a music and entertainment alternative to the main network, which aired the news programme,Post Cyntaf (laterDros Frecwast).[2]
BBC Radio Cymru 2 began broadcasting at 6.30am on 29 January 2018, initially offering a separate daily breakfast show.[3]
The service was later expanded to carry regular additional sports commentaries - particularly on football and rugby - on midweek nights and at weekends, as well as occasional music-led special programming. Sports coverage on Radio Cymru 2 has since been discontinued.
On 4 August 2022, at theNational Eisteddfod in Tregaron, the BBC announced plans to expand Radio Cymru 2's programming from 15 to 60 hours a week, offering "a Welsh language music-based schedule".[4]
From 3 October 2022, Radio Cymru 2 aired an additional two-hour mid-morning show each weekday, presented from the BBC's Bangor studios byLisa Gwilym on Monday - Thursday from 9-11am and from Cardiff by Dom James on Fridays from 11am-1pm.[5]
Upon the initial expansion of the station's schedule, Radio Cymru 2 has altered its music policy and now plays a greater proportion of English-language music, compared to the Welsh-led playlist on the main network.
The operating licence for Radio Cymru 2, as drawn up by the broadcast regulator Ofcom, requires the station to play at least 50% of Welsh language music,[6] compared to a minimum of 66% on the main Radio Cymru service.
On 18 January 2024, and following a consultation, Ofcom gave approval for BBC Radio Cymru 2 to become a fully fledged radio station.[7] The station launched its expanded schedule on 4 March 2024.[8]
In October 2024, the station began simulcasting overnight programming fromBBC Radio 2, including the weekday early show withOwain Wyn Evans, broadcast from BBC Cymru's headquarters in Cardiff.
BBC Radio Cymru 2 is broadcast across Wales onDAB. It is also available on Freeview in Wales, throughout the UK on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and online.
BBC Radio Cymru 2 airs live, presenter-led programming from its Cardiff and Bangor studios at the following times:
The station airs a mix of automated non-stop music and pre-recorded 'curated' hours with guest presenters from 5–7pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 5–6pm on Fridays, 2–5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.
Outside of these hours, Radio Cymru 2 simulcasts programming fromRadio Cymru during its transmission hours andBBC Radio 2 overnight.
The station also airs hourly news bulletins, simulcast withBBC Radio Cymru, throughout the day.
In addition, Radio Cymru 2 also airs regularly scheduled programming if additional sports coverage is broadcast on the main network.
For the first time in its history, BBC Radio Cymru will offer a choice of listening with a lively breakfast show on BBC Radio Cymru Mwy. The daily news programme, Post Cyntaf followed by the Aled Hughes programme will continue on BBC Radio Cymru. The pop-up's schedule will continue until midday, with an option to experiment occasionally with lunch-time programmes.
While BBC Radio Cymru will continue to offer a full news service in the morning, Radio Cymru 2 will offer a mix of music and entertainment. The news follows a successful trial of an alternative option for Radio Cymru listeners last year – Radio Cymru Mwy.
A brand-new breakfast show will take to the airwaves every morning of the week – including Saturday and Sunday – offering a choice for Welsh speakers across the country on DAB, website, BBC iPlayer Radio and TV.
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