That this House celebrates the 50th anniversary of Downtown Radio, first launched in 1976 as Northern Ireland’s first commercial radio station; notes its early broadcasting operations from Kiltonga Industrial Estate in Newtownards, County Down, where it established itself as a pioneering voice in local broadcasting; recognises the station’s important role over the past five decades in delivering news, music, sport and community programming to listeners across Northern Ireland; acknowledges the dedication and professionalism of its presenters, producers, journalists, engineers and support staff, past and present, who have helped make the station a trusted and familiar presence in homes, workplaces and cars across the region; and thanks everyone involved with Downtown Radio for their continued commitment to serving communities through local radio for the past 50 years, wishing the station continued success in the years ahead.
