Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Jump to content

BBC Radio Cymru 2

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Welsh language sister station, see BBC Radio Cymru.

BBC Radio Cymru 2
Broadcast areaWales
Frequency
  • DAB: 12D MuxCo (Mid & West Wales)
  • DAB: 10D MuxCo (North Wales)
  • DAB: 12D Now Digital (SE Wales)
  • DAB: 12A Bauer (Swansea & SW Wales)
  • DAB: 10D MuxCo (Wrexham, Chester & Liverpool)
  • Freesat: 718 (Wales)
  • Freesat: 735 (rest of UK)
  • Freeview: 713 (Wales)
  • Sky: 0136 (Wales)
  • Sky: 0153 (rest of UK)
  • Virgin Media: 913 (all of UK)
Programming
Language(s)Welsh
Formatmusic
Ownership
OwnerBBC
OperatorBBC Cymru Wales
History
First air date
29 January 2018; 6 years ago (2018-01-29)
Technical information
Licensing authority
Ofcom
Links
WebcastBBC Sounds
WebsiteBBC Radio Cymru 2

BBC Radio Cymru 2 is a Welsh language radio station owned and operated by BBC Cymru Wales, a division of the BBC. It broadcasts across Wales on DAB, digital TV and BBC Sounds.

Radio Cymru 2 broadcasts music-led programming for up to 60 hours a week, as an opt-out from the main BBC Radio Cymru service, which provides shared programming at certain hours of the day. The station also simulcasts overnight programming from BBC Radio 2 after closedown.

The managing editor of BBC Radio Cymru is Dafydd Meredydd, a former presenter and producer for both stations.

History

[edit]

On 19 September 2016, BBC Cymru launched a pop-up radio station, Radio Cymru Mwy (Radio Cymru More), broadcasting for three months in the run-up to Radio Cymru's 40th anniversary. Consisting of five hours of music-led entertainment programming each weekday, Radio Cymru Mwy was available on DAB in south east Wales and online.[1]

Six months after the station closed, BBC Cymru announced it would launch a permanent second station, Radio Cymru 2. The new service would air breakfast programming every morning on digital and online platforms, as a music and entertainment alternative to the main network, which aired the news programme, Post Cyntaf (later Dros Frecwast).[2]

BBC Radio Cymru 2 began broadcasting at 6.30am on 29 January 2018, initially offering a separate daily breakfast show.[3]

The service was later expanded to carry regular additional sports commentaries - particularly on football and rugby - on midweek nights and at weekends, as well as occasional music-led special programming. Sports coverage on Radio Cymru 2 has since been discontinued.

On 4 August 2022, at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron, the BBC announced plans to expand Radio Cymru 2's programming from 15 to 60 hours a week, offering "a Welsh language music-based schedule".[4]

From 3 October 2022, Radio Cymru 2 aired an additional two-hour mid-morning show each weekday, presented from the BBC's Bangor studios by Lisa Gwilym on Monday - Thursday from 9-11am and from Cardiff by Dom James on Fridays from 11am-1pm.[5]

Upon the initial expansion of the station's schedule, Radio Cymru 2 has altered its music policy and now plays a greater proportion of English-language music, compared to the Welsh-led playlist on the main network.

The operating licence for Radio Cymru 2, as drawn up by the broadcast regulator Ofcom, requires the station to play at least 50% of Welsh language music,[6] compared to a minimum of 66% on the main Radio Cymru service.

On 18 January 2024, and following a consultation, Ofcom gave approval for BBC Radio Cymru 2 to become a fully fledged radio station.[7] The station launched its expanded schedule on 4 March 2024.[8]

In October 2024, the station began simulcasting overnight programming from BBC Radio 2, including the weekday early show with Owain Wyn Evans, broadcast from BBC Cymru's headquarters in Cardiff.

Transmission

[edit]

BBC Radio Cymru 2 is broadcast across Wales on DAB. It is also available on Freeview in Wales, throughout the UK on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and online.

Programming

[edit]

BBC Radio Cymru 2 airs live, presenter-led programming from its Cardiff and Bangor studios at the following times:

  • 7am to 2pm on Mondays to Thursdays
  • 7–9am on Fridays and Saturdays
  • 11am to 2pm on Fridays
  • 7–10am on Sundays

The station airs a mix of automated non-stop music and pre-recorded 'curated' hours with guest presenters from 5–7pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 5–6pm on Fridays, 2–5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.

Outside of these hours, Radio Cymru 2 simulcasts programming from Radio Cymru during its transmission hours and BBC Radio 2 overnight.

The station also airs hourly news bulletins, simulcast with BBC Radio Cymru, throughout the day.

In addition, Radio Cymru 2 also airs regularly scheduled programming if additional sports coverage is broadcast on the main network.

Notable presenters

[edit]

Notable past presenters

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BBC Radio Cymru Mwy takes to the digital airwaves". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2020. For the first time in its history, BBC Radio Cymru will offer a choice of listening with a lively breakfast show on BBC Radio Cymru Mwy. The daily news programme, Post Cyntaf followed by the Aled Hughes programme will continue on BBC Radio Cymru. The pop-up's schedule will continue until midday, with an option to experiment occasionally with lunch-time programmes.
  2. ^ "BBC to boost Wales' national radio stations". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020. While BBC Radio Cymru will continue to offer a full news service in the morning, Radio Cymru 2 will offer a mix of music and entertainment. The news follows a successful trial of an alternative option for Radio Cymru listeners last year – Radio Cymru Mwy.
  3. ^ "The countdown begins – BBC Radio Cymru 2 takes to the airwaves in January 2018". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 27 November 2017. A brand-new breakfast show will take to the airwaves every morning of the week – including Saturday and Sunday – offering a choice for Welsh speakers across the country on DAB, website, BBC iPlayer Radio and TV.
  4. ^ BBC announces its intention to extend Radio Cymru 2 to broadcast 60 hours a week, bbc.co.uk, 3 August 2022
  5. ^ Rhydian Bowen Phillips, Lisa Gwilym and Dom James to host new programmes on BBC Radio Cymru 2, bbc.co.uk, 20 September 2022
  6. ^ BBC Radio Cymru 2 - final determination, OFCOM, 18 January 2024
  7. ^ "BBC Radio Cymru 2 officially approved by Ofcom as a UK Public Service". Radio Today. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Ymestyn oriau Radio Cymru 2 i gyrraedd cynulleidfa newydd". BBC Cymru Fyw. 4 March 2024.
[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=BBC_Radio_Cymru_2&oldid=1256642777"