Northern Ireland’s longest running commercial radio station, Downtown Radio, is marking its 50th anniversary this month, celebrating five decades of broadcasting, resilience and connection with listeners across the region.
To celebrate the occasion on 16th March, former programme director and broadcasting legend, John Rosborough will host a special anniversary programme, ‘Downtown 50 years on,’ reflecting the stations history and the people who helped shape it.
As part of its golden milestone, the station will also welcome back several familiar voices from its past, pairing some of its earliest presenters with today’s on-air teams. Among those returning are Ivan Martin, Richard Young, John Daly, Hendi, Jerry Lang and Ronan Kelly, giving listeners the chance to hear well known voices reunited on the airwaves.
John Rosborough said:
“When Downtown first went on air, there was a real sense that we were doing something different, bringing local voices, music and stories directly – and legally– to listeners in their homes and cars every day. None of us could have imagined then that the station would still be going strong 50 years later.
“What made it special was always the people – the presenters, news team and engineers behind the scenes. In many ways we broke the broadcasting mould in what was a bleak, dark time in Northern Ireland, bringing the music, chat and news that local communities needed and appreciated. It’s wonderful to see the station still thriving and to be part of such a great milestone.”
Since launching in Kiltonga, Newtownards in 1976, the station has become a fixture of the local media landscape, breaking new ground in commercial broadcasting at a time when radio in Northern Ireland was evolving in response to the popularity of offshore stations and growing demand for local voices on air.
While it is the only commercial radio station still broadcasting from its original home, after 50 years, Downtown Radio is preparing for its next chapter, with plans in motion to relocate to new studios at City Quays in Belfast later this year. The milestone anniversary offers a moment to reflect on the station’s journey – one defined by resilience, reinvention and a loyal audience that continues to tune in decades later.
As part of the milestone, Downtown Radio has also unveiled a digital archive, making historic clips and memorable moments from its broadcasting history available online for listeners to revisit.
Stuart Robinson, Content Director at Bauer Media NI said:
“As we mark 50 years on air, it’s a chance to look back at the many voices, programmes and moments that have shaped the station and reflect the legacy of NI’s longest running commercial radio station.
“With new studios on the horizon and a strong audience still tuning in every day, we’re looking forward to continuing to evolve and bring great radio to listeners for the next 50 years.”
The anniversary celebration also coincides with the launch of a new book written by Rosborough and Martin. Titled “It brought a smile to your ear”, the book, which charts the story of the station and the personalities behind the microphone over the past five decades is due to be launched in No Alibis, Botanic Avenue, Belfast at 6.30pm on March 31.
View the digital archive from breaking news to everyday voices from the past 50 years: downtown.co.uk/50