Radio Cymru 2 broadcasts music-led programming for up to 60 hours a week, as an opt-out from the main BBC Radio Cymru service, which provides shared programming at certain hours of the day. The station also simulcasts overnight programming from BBC Radio 2 after closedown.
The managing editor of BBC Radio Cymru is Dafydd Meredydd, a former presenter and producer for both stations.
History
On 19 September 2016, BBC Cymru launched a pop-up radio station, Radio Cymru Mwy (Radio Cymru More), broadcasting for three months in the run-up to Radio Cymru's 40th anniversary. Consisting of five hours of music-led entertainment programming each weekday, Radio Cymru Mwy was available on DAB in south east Wales and online.[1]
Six months after the station closed, BBC Cymru announced it would launch a permanent second station, Radio Cymru 2. The new service would air breakfast programming every morning on digital and online platforms, as a music and entertainment alternative to the main network, which aired the news programme, Post Cyntaf (later Dros Frecwast).[2]
BBC Radio Cymru 2 began broadcasting at 6.30am on 29 January 2018, initially offering a separate daily breakfast show.[3]
The service was later expanded to carry regular additional sports commentaries - particularly on football and rugby - on midweek nights and at weekends, as well as occasional music-led special programming. Sports coverage on Radio Cymru 2 has since been discontinued.
On 4 August 2022, at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron, the BBC announced plans to expand Radio Cymru 2's programming from 15 to 60 hours a week, offering "a Welsh language music-based schedule".[4]
From 3 October 2022, Radio Cymru 2 aired an additional two-hour mid-morning show each weekday, presented from the BBC's Bangor studios by Lisa Gwilym on Monday - Thursday from 9-11am and from Cardiff by Dom James on Fridays from 11am-1pm.[5]
Upon the initial expansion of the station's schedule, Radio Cymru 2 has altered its music policy and now plays a greater proportion of English-language music, compared to the Welsh-led playlist on the main network.
The operating licence for Radio Cymru 2, as drawn up by the broadcast regulator Ofcom, requires the station to play at least 50% of Welsh language music,[6] compared to a minimum of 66% on the main Radio Cymru service.
On 18 January 2024, and following a consultation, Ofcom gave approval for BBC Radio Cymru 2 to become a fully fledged radio station.[7] The station launched its expanded schedule on 4 March 2024.[8]
In October 2024, the station began simulcasting overnight programming from BBC Radio 2, including the weekday early show with Owain Wyn Evans, broadcast from BBC Cymru's headquarters in Cardiff.
Transmission
BBC Radio Cymru 2 is broadcast across Wales on DAB. It is also available on Freeview in Wales, throughout the UK on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and online.
Programming
BBC Radio Cymru 2 airs live, presenter-led programming from its Cardiff and Bangor studios at the following times:
7am to 2pm on Mondays to Thursdays
7–9am on Fridays and Saturdays
11am to 2pm on Fridays
7–10am on Sundays
The station airs a mix of automated non-stop music and pre-recorded 'curated' hours with guest presenters from 5–7pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 5–6pm on Fridays, 2–5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.
Outside of these hours, Radio Cymru 2 simulcasts programming from Radio Cymru during its transmission hours and BBC Radio 2 overnight.
The station also airs hourly news bulletins, simulcast with BBC Radio Cymru, throughout the day.
In addition, Radio Cymru 2 also airs regularly scheduled programming if additional sports coverage is broadcast on the main network.
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References
↑ "BBC Radio Cymru Mwy takes to the digital airwaves". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2020. For the first time in its history, BBC Radio Cymru will offer a choice of listening with a lively breakfast show on BBC Radio Cymru Mwy. The daily news programme, Post Cyntaf followed by the Aled Hughes programme will continue on BBC Radio Cymru. The pop-up's schedule will continue until midday, with an option to experiment occasionally with lunch-time programmes.
↑ "BBC to boost Wales' national radio stations". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020. While BBC Radio Cymru will continue to offer a full news service in the morning, Radio Cymru 2 will offer a mix of music and entertainment. The news follows a successful trial of an alternative option for Radio Cymru listeners last year – Radio Cymru Mwy.
↑ "The countdown begins – BBC Radio Cymru 2 takes to the airwaves in January 2018". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 27 November 2017. A brand-new breakfast show will take to the airwaves every morning of the week – including Saturday and Sunday – offering a choice for Welsh speakers across the country on DAB, website, BBC iPlayer Radio and TV.
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