Radio
Cymru's new-sound schedule
Radio
Cymru is celebrating its 25th anniversary year with the news that
the station will broadcast an extra two hours of programmes every
day.
From
2 December, the station will be on air from 5.00am to 1.00am, bringing
the daily total of programming to 20 hours.
Significant
changes will be made to enrich the broadcasting timetable as a result
of these additional hours with the station also announcing a refreshed
schedule.
During
weekdays, the station will start broadcasting at 5.00am, as the
station welcomes journalist and presenter Irfon Jones to the presenting
team, together with a brand new programme.
From
reviewing the newspapers to interviews, this lively two-hour programme
will be a dynamic start to the day. It will also include the latest
in farming news, with presenter Dei Tomos.
Post
Cyntaf, the most popular Welsh-language news programme, continues
to broadcast from 7.00 to 8.30am, with the popular Jonsi's show
being extended until 10.30am.
This
allows for an exciting new development to be included in the lively
morning programme: from December onwards, the programme will include
a consumer advice slot where specialists will be on hand to dish
out advice on anything from investing money to drawing up wills
and dealing with debts.
A new
partnership between Nia Roberts and Hywel Gwynfryn promises to create
a dynamic new programme, from 10.15am to 12.15pm.
This
programme will use satellite technology to reflect the diversity
of accents and colour of communities across Wales.
Popular
programmes such as Wythnos Gwilym Owen, Y Talwrn, Showbusnesan,
Beti a'i Phobl and Dau o'r Bae will continue to be broadcast in
the early afternoon slot while Radio Cymru's drama series Eileen
continues daily.
A daily
ten minute news programme at 1.00pm will be followed by a brand
new programme which replaces Stondin Sulwyn.
This
new programme will deal with topical issues and news stories of
the day and provide a platform for listeners' views.
Sulwyn
Thomas, who retires in 2003 after more than 40 years in journalism,
will continue to contribute to Radio Cymru, and an announcement
about his new programmes and projects will be made in due course.
Sian
Thomas will no longer have to get up at the crack of dawn as she
moves to an afternoon programme, from 2.00 to 3.00pm.
Owain
Gwilym and Dylan Wyn have proven to be a very popular team with
the listeners of Gang Bangor and they present a lively new afternoon
programme between 3.00 and 5.00pm.
Post
Prynhawn continues to reflect on the news issues of the day and
the 6.00 to 6.30pm slot will have a selection of programmes.
From
December, these programmes will include brand new comedy, a programme
tracing the history of the Welsh language and a series of plays,
starting with the winner of the drama medal at this year's Urdd
Eisteddfod.
Radio
Cymru will continue to broadcast daily from Aberystwyth with Geraint
Lloyd, between 6.30 and 8.00pm.
The
station launches a new-sound evening programme, starting at 8.00pm
and running until 1.00am.
Y
Gang Mawr (the large gang) is aimed at a younger audience and will
be packed with music, interviews, requests and competitions with
a host of popular Radio Cymru presenters including Dafydd Du, Kevin
Davies, Beks, Stephen Edwards and Terwyn Davies, with Huw Stephens,
who's also a popular voice on Radio 1'聮s Session in Wales,
joining the gang.
On
Saturday, Dei Tomos presents a new morning programme from 6.00 to
6.30pm, leading to Galwad Cynnar with Gerallt Pennant, which will
extend to 8.30pm and include Dros Fy Sbectol.
Ar
y Marc, from 8.30 to 9.00pm, precedes Jonsi which leads the listeners
to Saturday morning entertainment with Gang Mawr.
Quizzes
and comedies will take up the half-hour slot before Idris Charles
presents a lively programme leading up to the Saturday sports coverage
in Y Gamp Lawn.
Marc
Griffiths presents his own show from 7.15 to 10.00pm as Gang Mawr
returns to keep listeners entertained on Saturday night, through
to 1.00am.
Sunday
continues to broadcast established and popular programming such
as Alun Thomas, Beti a'i Phobl, Llinyn Mesur, Bwrw Golwg, Yr Oedfa,
Caniadaeth y Cysegr and Manylu.
There's
also an opportunity to hear an omnibus edition of Eileen and Dei
Tomos follows the old favourite Ar Eich Cais with his own new Sunday
evening show between 8.30 and 10.00pm.
"The
news that we are now broadcasting from 5 to 1am is very exciting
and provides an exciting challenge to produce even more programmes
of a high standard," says Aled Glynne Davies, Radio Cymru Editor.
"It
also provides a golden opportunity to look again at our schedule
and to make significant changes that will please our existing audience
and hopefully attract a bigger audience."
Keith
Jones, Head of Programmes (Welsh), said: "These changes follow
extensive consultation by the Radio Cymru editorial team, having
looked closely at the needs and expectations of the station聮s
listeners.
"This
new schedule retains the station's successful elements as well as
introducing
new and exciting changes."
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