Northern Ireland
The main public broadcaster in Northern Ireland, part of the BBC national regions.
BBC Northern Ireland is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcaster in Northern Ireland. It is widely available across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. BBC Northern Ireland is one of the four BBC national regions, together with the BBC English Regions, BBC Scotland and BBC Cymru Wales. Based in Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content. BBC Northern Ireland currently employs 700 people, largely in Belfast.
- capital
- Belfast
Lore & Background
BBC Northern Ireland operates two television stations: BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland. Prior to 27 October 2006, BBC Two NI was a digital only service while BBC Two Northern Ireland was available on analogue transmission. Since 28 October 2006, BBC Two Northern Ireland has been the on-air name for both services which have been merged. BBC Northern Ireland has its own team of continuity announcers which introduce the vast majority of programmes on BBC One and BBC Two in Northern Ireland. BBC Newsline is the regional news service, with its main bulletin from 18.30 to 19.00 and shorter bulletins at 13.30 and 22.30 and during the weekend, with summaries on BBC Breakfast. BBC NI produces some regional political programmes, notably Spotlight, The View and Nolan Live. It was announced in June 2019 that the BBC quiz show Mastermind would now be produced from BBC NI.
Reader's Guide
BBC Northern Ireland operates two radio stations: BBC Radio Ulster, on 92–95 FM, which broadcasts throughout Northern Ireland, and BBC Radio Foyle, on 93.1 FM, which broadcasts to the North West of Northern Ireland. BBC Northern Ireland's online service provides News, Sport, Schools, Learning and Programme information for television and radio programmes. It provides a streaming audio service for Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle as well as every programme on demand for up to a week after transmission. BBC Northern Ireland broadcasts almost exclusively in English, but there is some output in Irish and Ulster Scots. Radio Ulster carries a daily programme in Irish and there is an Irish language section on BBC Northern Ireland's website. Northern Ireland Screen helps co-fund television output in both Irish and Ulster Scots. BBC Northern Ireland has three main television studios located in Belfast. There are two small studios located in the BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast, called Studio B and Studio 1, each around 2,000 sq ft. The largest studio is called Studio A, located in the BBC Blackstaff House on Great Victoria Street in Belfast, measuring 6,000 sq ft. Studio A has been home to the award-winning local sitcom Give My Head Peace. Nolan Live for BBC One Northern Ireland airs live from Studio A.
Did You Know?
- BBC Northern Ireland currently employs 700 people, largely in Belfast.
- BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland are widely available across the border in the Republic of Ireland on pay-TV platforms including Sky Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland, Magnet Networks, SCTV and Crossan Cable.
- It was announced in June 2019 that the BBC quiz show Mastermind would now be produced from BBC NI.
- BBC Northern Ireland has three main television studios: Studio A (6,000 sq ft) at Blackstaff House, and Studio B and Studio 1 (each around 2,000 sq ft) at Broadcasting House.
- Radio Ulster carries a daily programme in Irish and there is an Irish language section on BBC Northern Ireland's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland is a constituent part of the United Kingdom situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It came into being in 1921 when the island was divided into two jurisdictions, and people variously refer to it as a country, a province, or a region depending on their perspective.
How was Northern Ireland created?
The Government of Ireland Act 1920 partitioned the island, and the northern six counties opted to remain within the United Kingdom while the southern twenty-six counties moved toward independence. That 1921 division set the political and social fault lines that would define the region for generations.
How is Northern Ireland governed?
A devolved legislature called the Northern Ireland Assembly, established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, handles most domestic policy for the region. The UK Parliament in Westminster retains authority over reserved matters such as defence and foreign affairs. This power-sharing structure was the central institutional achievement of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
What is the Good Friday Agreement?
Signed on 10 April 1998, the Good Friday Agreement is the landmark peace deal that brought an end to the decades-long cycle of sectarian violence known as The Troubles. It created the devolved Assembly, enshrined power-sharing between unionist and nationalist parties, and laid out a framework for cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Ireland.
What are the main communities in Northern Ireland?
The roughly 1.9 million residents (2021 census) are broadly divided between a Protestant unionist community that generally identifies as British and a Catholic nationalist community that generally identifies as Irish. Belfast, the capital and largest city, is home to both communities and has long been the political and economic centre of the region.
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