Belfast Community Radio

{{short description|Former community radio station in Northern Ireland}} {{for|the radio station in Belfast, Maine, United States|WBFY-LP}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox radio station | country = Northern Ireland | name = Belfast Community Radio | city = Belfast | above = | callsign = BCR | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image_alt = | caption = | area = | frequency = | rds = | branding = | languages = | format = | subchannels = | network = | affiliations = | owner = | licensee = | operator = | sister_stations = | founded = | airdate = {{start date|1990|4|6}} | last_airdate = {{end date|1996|9|30}} | former_callsigns = | former_names = | former_frequencies = | callsign_meaning =  | licensing_authority = | facility_id = | class = | power = | erp = | haat = | coordinates = | translators = | repeaters = | webcast = | website = | child = | embed_header = | embedded = }}

'''Belfast Community Radio''' or '''BCR''', was a radio station that broadcast to Belfast between 1990 and 1996. The station broadcast from the basement of Russell Court Complex on Belfast's Lisburn Road.<ref name=IM>{{cite web |url= https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/06/13/the-russell-court-complex-through-the-years |title= The Russell Court Complex through the years |author=  |date= June 13, 2018 |website= Irish News |publisher= |access-date= July 22, 2025 |quote= }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> It was replaced by Belfast CityBeat.

==History==

BCR was launched at 7:30 a.m. on 6 April 1990 with Rick Nugent who was the first presenter, the first song was "''Feet of a Dancer''" by Maira O'Connell.

In 1992, in attempt to boost audience the station adopted a 'Classic Hits Format' and became known as '''Classic Trax BCR''' but by 1994 had reverted to '''96.7 BCR'''.

In 1995, the word 'community' in the title was replaced for 'city' in a further attempt to distance the station from its community roots which had failed to interest audience.

During its final month on air the station simply became known as '''96.7FM'''.

BCR struggled to establish a listener base and was eventually relaunched as Belfast CityBeat in 1996. In contrast with its forerunner, Citybeat became a huge success and is now one of the most popular stations in Northern Ireland.

Stuart Robinson presented the final programme on BCR on 30 September 1996. The last track played was Elton John and "''Sacrifice''". At midnight BCR changed to Citybeat.<ref name=RT>{{cite web |url= https://radiotoday.ie/2015/08/citybeat-belfast-becomes-q-belfasts-city-beat/ |title= Citybeat Belfast becomes Q - Belfast's City Beat |last= Martin |first= Roy |date= July 31, 2011 |website= Radio Today |publisher= |access-date= July 22, 2025 |quote=}}</ref> In 2025, it is known as Q Radio Belfast.<ref name=ML>{{cite web |url= https://www.medialive.ie/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=131&sid=1633:q-radio&ltemid=0 |title= Q Radio |author= |date= |website= Media Live |publisher= |access-date= July 22, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>

At the time of its demise, BCR was pulling in little over 30,000 listeners.

==Former presenters== BCR presenters prior to the 1996 relaunch included Rick Nugent, Maurice Jay, Mary Johnston, Eddie McDermott, Davy Cunningham, Stuart Robinson, Owen Beers, Mal Reynolds, Noel Hyndman, Beth Walker(nee Andrews), Phil Doyle, Lawrence John, David Johnston, Lisa Flavelle, Olive Melville, Kenny Tosh, Paul Orr, Ricky K, Stephen Nolan, Denise Watson and Davy Cash Bob Huggins.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081208081108/http://www.transdiffusion.org/rmc/commercial/ulster.php Transdiffusion.org, ''From Downtown to out of town''] - * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080929131738/http://www.geocities.com/thehotw/aircheck_UKAntrim.htm Geocities.com, "Aircheck UK - Antrim"] - General details on the station.

Category:Radio stations in Northern Ireland Category:Defunct radio stations in the United Kingdom Category:Mass media in Belfast Category:Radio stations established in 1990 Category:1990 establishments in Northern Ireland Category:Radio stations disestablished in 1996 Category:1996 disestablishments in Northern Ireland