Arts programme to broadcast from city

A native of the City, Marie-Louise Muir fronts the long-running arts and culture programme and will do so live from BBC Radio Foyle every week, beginning on Wednesday at 6.30pm from September 29, 2010.

The programme’s move to the north west on a weekly basis is part of BBC Northern Ireland’s plans to increase the synergies between BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Radio Ulster and to develop BBC Radio Foyle as a key production base for wider BBC output, whilst also continuing to deliver value for money to licence-fee payers.

“The north west has such a rich and varied arts scene and I think it’s great that Arts Extra can now act as even more of a showcase for what's happening there and share it with our audiences all over Northern Ireland. And, of course, it's such an exciting time for arts in Derry in the run up to the City of Culture 2013, so I'm sure we'll have no shortage of features, previews and reviews from there and the rest of the north west,” she said.

"I grew up in Derry and, professionally speaking, I cut my teeth in the arts scene there before making my broadcasting debut on BBC Radio Foyle, so broadcasting from the studios there really will be like coming home once a week.

"Arts Extra is about quality, accessible arts broadcasting which covers the whole of Northern Ireland and finding stories that make people think, laugh, discuss and even go and check something out. There really is never a dull moment and I think this move to the north west once a week can only add to the variety and buzz of the programme."

Michael Tumelty, Editor BBC Radio Foyle, says: “It’s a testament to the talent, commitment and long-term vision of the team at BBC Radio Foyle that Arts Extra is coming here, especially in the run up to Derry being the UK City of Culture 2013. That has to be good for BBC audiences in the north west and in Northern Ireland as a whole."

The Arts Extra programme from Derry will also feature regular reports and contributions from BBC Radio Foyle's Stephen McCauley, who presents Electric Mainline on the station.

Arts Extra is on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle Monday to Friday at 6.30pm.