How to listen to Downtown Radio

Listeners tuning into Downtown on 1026AM will be hearing a familiar voice as transmissions of the frequency draw to an end.

Longtime Northern Ireland radio practitioner John Rosborough, known to audiences for his long running show ‘Take It Easy’ was also Downtown’s Programme Director during the 80’s and 90’s.

John can now be heard on 1026AM (previously 293 metres MW) advising listeners that the frequency will be closing soon and giving tips on how to now receive Downtown in a digital era.

The move comes as Downtown prepares for its ‘digital future’ with audiences now coming away from analogue broadcasts and adapting newer ways to listen that provide more choice, fixability and audio quality.

Current Content Director of Downtown Stuart Robinson said “As Downtown evolves into a modern digital media landscape, it is fitting John will be the last voice to heard on the frequency that has been broadcasting daily to the eastern side of NI since 1976. John established Downtown as one of the most successful radio stations of its day in Europe and it is apt that he will be the one to bid farewell on a frequency that provided so much joy and entertainment to record audiences during often ‘dark days’ in the earlier years of Downtown’s history”.

Here are all the ways you can get involved and listen 👇

Downtown Radio’s transmissions on 1026AM have ended as we prepare for our digital future.

This means if you listen to us on an AM radio you’ll need to retune or upgrade your radio to continue to receive our programmes.

In the Belfast area, including Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus you can receive Downtown on 103.4FM

You can also hear Downtown anywhere in Northern Ireland on a DAB digital radio or by asking your smart speaker to ‘”play Downtown Radio”.

Downtown can also be accessed on your local FM frequency….

• North West - 102.4FM

• The West - 96.6FM

• Causeway Coast - 96.4FM

• Newry, Mourne and South Down - 103.1FM

• Mid Antrim - 102.3FM

• Newcastle - 103.4FM

• Larne - 97.1FM

Remember Downtown Radio is also available to listen to anywhere via our free app.

Download the app. to your smart phone where you can also listen back to all of our programmes commercial free and try our other stations including Downtown Country, Cool FM and Greatest Hits Radio Northern Ireland.

What music do we play on Downtown?

Downtown Radio plays the biggest hits from the 21st century – playing everything from Katy Perry to Take That.

Every Sunday afternoon from 4pm until 7pm, DJ Hix counts down NI's biggest songs that you've been listening to across Northern Ireland, on the radio, streaming, watching, downloading and Shazamming!

How can I download the Downtown App?

Download the Downtown App on iOS.

Download the Downtown App on Android.

How can I listen to Downtown on smart speakers?

Apple HomePod: "Hey Siri, play Downtown Radio."

Amazon Alexa: "Alexa, play Downtown Radio."