Radio Ulster Reviewed, Despite Irish Accolade

As regional broadcasters toasted their success in a major radio awards ceremony, the BBC Trust has launched a review of its radio services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is an ironic development as BBC Radio Ulster has been celebrating after being named Station of the Year at this year's Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) Awards.

Radio Ulster won six awards, including the coveted Full Service Station of the Year.

The news was announced at the ceremony, which took place at Lyrath House Hotel, Kilkenny in the Irish Republic on Friday night.

However, this hasn't stopped a forthcoming review aimed at improving the service offered by BBC Radio Ulster, Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

It started with a 12-week public consultation ahead of a more detailed audience research programme.

The consultation with listeners will last until January with a final report on the quality of radio in the devolved nations expected sometime next summer.

Meanwhile, back in Belfast, Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show was again top of the pops, having picked up the Silver Award for the Current Affairs Programme of the Year at the PPI event.

Radio Ulster also won four other awards for its music programming with Ralph McLean winning a Silver Award in the Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year category, while Across The Line carried off a Bronze Award in the new Irish Music/Music Talent Programme category.

The Irish Language programme Blas took a Silver Award in the Craoltareacht le Gaelige category and the documentary Failed Christian, in which legendary Northern Ireland-born guitarist Henry McCullough talks candidly to Gerry Anderson about this life and career, won a Silver Award in the Music Special category.

(BMcC/GK)