On January 1, 1975 BBC Radio Ulster crackled into life, replacing what had previously been Studio 2BE, providing local opt-outs from the BBC Home Service.
On the stroke of midnight, the first programme would feature Sean Rafferty, Walter Love and, at the heart of it, John Bennett and Gloria Hunniford.
Reflecting on the momentous occasion, Gloria Hunniford said:
“It was this balance between a brand new year, a brand new station and a brand new broadcasting life for many of us. The identity with the Northern Ireland people with this new station was very, very strong. They loved the idea that it was Radio Ulster. And then of course so many programmes were born to fit into Radio Ulster, so it was a totally new era.”
From that day to this, the station has covered every breaking news story, every sporting drama.
It has given listeners’ a voice, offered people a laugh, catered for the widest musical tastes and showcased many of Northern Ireland’s finest performers.
In two special one-hour programmes celebrating BBC Radio Ulster’s 50th birthday, presenter Anna Curran time travels through five decades of turbulent history, mixing highlights of the station’s colourful archive and chatting with some of the presenters who broadcast on its airwaves, intermingled with some musical hits from the past 50 years.
Radio Ulster at 50 is available now on BBC Sounds and will be on BBC Radio Ulster on Tuesday 31 December and Wednesday 1 January at 3pm.