The BBC has made a significant contribution in a great many ways to Northern Ireland life over the past 50 years.

We reach We reach the community in all sorts develops, finances and produces 17 Other traditions such as Ulster BBCNI has a unique role at the The digital interactive, with viewers being into the heart of of ways, and do so live, every night. hours of drama each year for Scots have been recognised in heart of community life and age began for able to choose their own camera Network audiences. Ballykissangel, the community. In 1957, the first permanent outside documentaries.And our creativity. It works hard to local in angles and programme schedules. Messiah and Eureka Street have all programmes continue to reflect understand, and be responsive 1998 with BBC Northern Ireland’s rural broadcast facilities arrived. attracted critical acclaim. the changing multi-cultural to, the needs of local audiences. Choice. It was followed traditions, farming industry Television has changed from a In 1994, the first satellite van made its nature of life in Northern in 2001 by BBC TWO NI. and communities have always Local writers, actors and technicians Constant research, public meetings, tiny and experimental affair appearance. Ireland. MONITOR MONITOR been important. have all benefited. telephone calls and letters all keep Its programmes for, and about, to a mass medium watched Now, live links from anywhere in We learn about each other from each programme-makers in touch with Northern Ireland can be watched by millions. The first documentary produced by As have our audiences. Northern Ireland are a vital part of other. BBC television has allowed us what viewers think.The BBC by digital viewers everywhere. BBC Northern Ireland, in 1955, was news coverage. Much has changed in the journey to explore, and better understand, Governors ensure that the public Technology has made the local, called Family Farm. Schools’ programmes, have been from black and white to digital A television studio is an integral part a defining feature of BBC the world around us. interest is at the heart of everything global. wide-screen. But the BBC’s Later there were series: Country Window of BBCNI facilities in Foyle. that the BBC does.Their work in television in Northern Ireland. The BBC’s local Digital service has commitment to putting audiences led to Land ‘n Larder, then Farm View and more Northern Ireland is assisted by In addition, there are BBC Newsline Generations have grown up in the Arts and music programmes been joined by BBC Three and first, and to making the best of recently, the broader-based Country Times. And the Broadcasting Council. It correspondents in Coleraine, company of Ulster in Focus. have celebrated and nurtured BBC Four.And let’s not forget everything available to everyone, we got a bird’s eye view of landscape and people in local artistic talent. monitors BBC output, Londonderry,Armagh and Enniskillen. Today’s youngsters continue to learn CBBC and Cbeebies. has remained constant. Informing, Sky High. Family life, the work of local hospitals, performance and about the world through Primary From thoughtful documentaries on educating, entertaining and doctors and fire-fighters have all featured in documentary expenditure and helps to At the beginning of 1999, the Focus and a range of interactive Seamus Heaney and T.P.Flanagan to connecting with audiences are as programmes. BBC Northern Ireland’s Drama make the Corporation number of ‘digital homes’ was 1%. Department is one of the most educational resources. breathtaking spectaculars like Proms important now as when it all properly accountable Today, almost 40% of us have vibrant and productive in the UK. In The Park, and from Gallery to began. Here’s to 50yrs of Now You’re Talking was a unique to local licence-fee access to digital television on Musical Traditions and First Stop, BBC innovation and achievement, and Since the first locally produced drama project, our first learning payers. satellite, cable and Freeview. One television has reflected the diversity to making good the promise of in the 1970s, Stewart Parker’s series on television. channel has been replaced by public service television for a new Catchpenny Twist, output has and changing nature of the arts in many, and television has become generation. expanded enormously. BBCNI now Northern Ireland.

1983 – BBC 1984 – Inside 1986 – At The Edge 1988 – The 1989 – Television 1992 – 1994 – First 1995 – The Hole In The 1996 – 1998 – There is 1999 – BBC 2002 – The launch of Northern Ireland Ulster replaces of the Union, a Government from the House of 1990 BBCNI and RTE satellite van for Wall Gang make their Newsline 6.30 marathon celebrates 20 2000 FREEVIEW, the BBC’s free 2003 creates a Youth Scene Around Six. documentary about introduces the Commons begins. co-produce Go news-gathering in television debut with the replaces Inside coverage of the years of to air digital service, which Programmes Unit, Gregory Campbell and Broadcasting Ban. The Broadcasting Act For It, a new Northern Ireland. satirical Two Ceasefires And Ulster.Town negotiations Children in A BBCNI includes Northern BBC Three begins.And BBCNI aimed at young Martin McGuinness, Actors’ voices is introduced. It talent series. A Wedding.There is a Challenge begins. leading to the Need. documentary on the Ireland’s own digital marks 50 years of television with people aged 15- causes political replace those of requires that 25 per massive outside broadcast Good Friday Rev Dr Ian Paisley is channel, BBC 2NI. Give My a special series of programmes. 21.And Breakfast controversy. Gerry Adams and cent of programmes operation as the Clintons Agreement.The the most watched Head Peace celebrates its Time starts. others. should be made by come to Northern Ireland. digital television television 50th episode. Children in independent is given his service begins. programme in this Need stages its largest producers. own programme, PK Tonight. year, with almost 60% concert event for 10,000 of the viewing people in the Odyssey Arena and Proms in the population. Park comes to .