City Centre

—1941 —

Broadcasting House on Ormeau Avenue is the home of the BBC in Northern Ireland. Designed in 1936 by James Millar of Glasgow, the imposing and austere neo-Georgian style is typical of the era. The frame is steel with reinforced concrete floors and roof and it has a facing of sand-faced bricks on an artificial stone base.
The BBC began its operations in 1924 from a disused linen warehouse round the corner in Linenhall Street but in 1938 work began on the new building. Construction continued despite the outbreak of the Second World War and in May 1941 Broadcasting House was officially opened. It contained a spacious concert hall, and several studios - all of which were used for radio broadcasts. There was no television output in those days.
The building stands six storeys high and its curved grey façade turns the corner between Ormeau Avenue and Bedford Street. An eight-story extension along Ormeau Avenue was built in 1975 and a further three-storey extension, largely catering for an expanding news and current affairs service, was added in Linenhall Street West in 1984.
Television began in Northern Ireland in 1953 - timed so that viewers could witness the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - and the BBC's first local television news bulletins were broadcast in 1957. BBC Radio Ulster, a service for the entire region, made its



debut in 1975 and BBC Radio Foyle, broadcasting to listeners in the North-West, began in 1979.
Broadcasting House is the hub of an ever-widening range of radio and television programmes and online services. Its work reflects the diversity, creative skills and experiences of local people and makes increasing use of digital technologies to connect with audiences at home and around the world. BBC programmes and services are provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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