Downtown Radio 50 Years On And The End Of An Era in Local Broadcasting

A new programme that chronicles the final hours of Downtown Radio’s broadcasts from Kiltonga Industrial Estate is now available to watch.

Presented and Produced by Stuart Robinson the 60 minute programme marks the end of a broadcasting era as Downtown’s transmissions from its home of 50 years near Newtownards comes to an end.

In a landmark year for Downtown Radio which celebrated its 50th birthday just weeks before its relocation to a new studio at City Quays 3 in Belfast, the programme captures the final moments of Downtown’s broadcasts from Kiltonga where it had broadcast every single day since 16th March 1976.

‘Downtown 50 years on’ features a variety of Downtown’s past and present voices and looks back on the stations history as Northern Ireland’s first commercial radio station.

On the programme you’ll find out why the radio station was built in such an unlikely location and how it evolved by using technology and new station launches to out last most other radio stations over the past five decades!

Guests including Ivan Martin, Richard Young, John Rosborough, Hendi, Ronan Kelly, Jerry Lang and John Daly are among the Downtown alumni who feature while current Downtown presenters including Gary Myles, Owen Larkin and Kirstie McMurray share their thoughts on the next chapter in the Downtown Radio story ….

You’ll also hear about the ‘Kiltonga regular’ who the team won’t be inviting to the new building!

Watch the full documentary ⬇️