BBC Radio Foyle opens new state-of-the-art studio space

The investment brings together the best available audio technology and radio visualisation equipment to transform the studios into facilities which are tailor-made to meet the needs of BBC Radio Foyle in the 21st Century.

Radio visualisation is the creation of pictures to accompany audio in the internet era. The station has also increased the number of studios, creating an in-house musical performance space for the first time to reflect the growth in cultural content coming from the North West. In the years since 2013, BBC Radio Foyle has launched the Mickey Bradley Record Show and Soundscapes, and moved production of weekly episodes of Blas and the Arts Show to the Northland Road base.

The studios officially re-opened on Thursday, with a special live, visualised edition of Electric Mainline simulcast on BBC Radio Foyle’s platforms and the BBC Music NI website from 7pm, when presenter Stephen McCauley invited local, unsigned acts to be first to play in the new performance space. Those performing were: Foreign Owl, Cherym, Porphyry and solo artist, The Fully Automatic Model (Johnny Delaney).

The opening of the newly refurbished studios forms an important part of BBC Radio Foyle’s 40th anniversary celebrations. And to mark the year, poet Abby Oliveira has also been commissioned by the station to write a love-letter to its listeners to mark four decades together and decorate the entrance to the newly refurbished studios.

Larry Deeney, Content Editor, BBC Radio Foyle, says: “By inviting local, unsigned acts to open our new state-of-the art visualised radio studios and giving them a video of their performance to take home as a birthday present, we are saying thank you to the local community because this new facility will benefit the whole of the North West.

“This commitment from the BBC is a massive vote of confidence in the North West and the work that teams here in BBC Radio Foyle do for local, national and network audiences. I would like to thank the BBC, the staff in Foyle, and most of all our loyal listeners for their continued support.”

Listen to Electric Mainline on BBC Sounds and the BBC NI Music website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/er6v9r

CC