Downtown Radio celebrates 45 years and counting...
Take a trip down memory lane 🎙
Last updated 16th Mar 2021
Downtown Radio, the first all-local Northern Ireland station marks its 45th anniversary today!
Back in 1976, commercial radio wasn't available here in Northern Ireland. When its unique sound first hit the airwaves it was an instant crowd-pleaser. Generations of music lovers have grown up listening to Downtown, and it's still as popular as ever today.
One of the earliest voices on Downtown Radio is still hosting his very own show - Trevor Campbell - with fans tuning in each week from across the country. Big T was one of the original line-up of presenters which included Candy Divine, John Paul Ballintine and Michael 'Hendi' Henderson.
"The build up to the launch of Downtown Radio was very exciting but for me there was also the fear of not getting on it," Big T shares. "There was no way of measuring how popular it would be until it launched in March 1976, and it just went absolutely crazy. It's popularity was phenomenal."
Looking back on Downtown’s incredible achievement Bauer NI's Managing Director David Tighe shares his enthusiasm for the brand.
“Downtown Radio has been at the forefront of Northern Ireland radio for 45 years today. As Northern Ireland’s first commercial radio station it will always have a special place in the media landscape here."
"Today Downtown Radio is as relevant and important to the community as it ever was and it will continue to serve the population of Northern Ireland as proudly as it did on day one. I would also like to make a special mention to the legendary Downtown presenter Trevor Campbell, he was part of the launch team 45 years ago and still remains on the air with us on Downtown Country, a huge achievement! Happy 45th anniversary on the air with us Trevor!”
45 Downtown Throwback Pics for 45 years
Big T kicking off the festive season with a little help from Santa
Michael 'Hendi' Henderson was one of the first voices to hit Downtown's airwaves back in 1976
Harry Castles and Downtown's News team share their well-deserved award for their coverage on the Omagh Bomb in 1998.
Lisa Flavelle and Johnny Hero smile for the camera
Maurice Jay and Lisa Flavelle takeover Downtown's airwaves
Downtown's very own rally car
John Paul Ballentine's playing his dinner spinners
Who remembers John Paul's Summer Cruiser?
Ivan Martin and Richard Young supporting one of Northern Ireland's local charities
Managing Director David Sloane, Big T and Lynda Jayne Campbell
Head of Programme John Rosborough listening to the latest tracks on vinyl!
Check out the very first Downtown newsroom, complete with typewriters instead of computers
Downtown's on-air team celebrating the launch of their FM frequencies
Candy Devine toasts to the future alongside the Downtown Flyer
Ivan Martin and Richard Young broadcasting their breakfast show on the road
Did Downtown's roadshow coke cruiser visit your local town?
Downtown celebrates its first birthday back in 1977
More celebrations for Downtown Radio
Florence Ambrose and Lynda Jayne Campbell broadcasting remotely
Local listeners tune in to hear Downtown
Summer tunes beside the shore
Lynda Jayne Campbell celebrating 20 years of Downtown with a live outdoor broadcast back in 1996
Who could forget when Big T and May McFettridge got hitched in Belfast's Castlecourt?
Can you spot a few familiar faces?
Ivan Martin on the Downtown Coke Cruiser
Downtown's revolutionary outdoor broadcasting suites
Perhaps Downtown's most adorable presenter
Big T and the launch team, attend a local charity fundraiser for Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital in the 70s
Big T hits the road - here he is chatting to Coleraine's locals
Stuart Robinson and George Jones launching Downtown Radio on DAB
Caroline Fleck catches up with Westflife ahead of their comeback tour
Gary Myles and Glen Pavis launch Downtown's Christmas campaign for 2020
Siobhan McGarry interviews one of the world's biggest boy bands - One Direction
Paul Francis celebrates the launch of the Bluegrass Festival in Belfast's Dirty Onion
Stuart Banford, Kirstie McMurray and Big T help launch Downtown's sister station - Downtown Country!
Big T broadcasts live from the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh
Back when pop-up live events could safely happen - Nathan Carter took over Buttercrane Shopping Centre in Newry
Owen Larkin and Caroline Fleck set sail on Downtown's Rock the Boat in 2010
Caroline Fleck chats to Cash for Kids NI's Darren Fowler
Downtown's stage for the Portrush Air Show
Gary, Kirsty and Rachel hosted Downtown's breakfast show from 2010-2019
Paul Francis broadcasting live from our Foyleside studios in Derry/Londonderry
Paul Orr hosting one of our summer roadshows
Neal McClelland and Eddie Grant on-air live from Barbados
And last but not least our current daytime team that continue to entertain the nation each day - David Coleman, Neal McClelland, Caroline Fleck, Owen Larkin, Kirstie McMurray, Gary Myles and Glen Pavis!