NEWS

Actor Anna Maxwell Martin Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly ITV’s bold interview series The Assembly continues this week with two new episodes featuring actor Anna Maxwell Martin and rapper Aitch , as both stars describe the intensity, honesty and emotional impact of taking part in one of television’s most unfiltered formats. The acclaimed series, which sees a panel of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers ask direct and deeply personal questions, airs at

Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn. (Image: Khara Pringle) A new BBC political thriller rooted in the shadowy world of government secrecy has been commissioned from Ballymena writer Declan Lawn and long-time collaborator Belfast man Adam Patterson , placing a little-known national security mechanism — the D-Notice — at the centre of a major primetime drama. The six-part series, titled D-Notice , will explore how the British state can quietly intervene in journalism by advising e

Music inspired by the land, the seasons and the lived experiences of Northern Ireland’s farming community is set to take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir NI prepares for its upcoming Spring Concert at The Braid Arts Centre. The choir has announced that the special performance will take place on Wednesday 29th April at 8:00pm , promising an uplifting evening of music and storytelling rooted in the heart of rural life. Set in one of Ballymena’s best-

Ballymena is set for a major expansion in local broadcasting after Ofcom today ( Thursday, April 9) awarded a small-scale DAB multiplex licence for the area to NIDAB Limited, opening the door for a new generation of local, community and specialist digital radio services across the town and surrounding villages. The decision is a significant boost for local media in Mid and East Antrim and could pave the way for around ten stereo digital radio stations, with capacity for more

Stephen Fry on series 2 of ITV’s The Assembly Award-winning ITV interview series The Assembly is set to return this April for an extended second run, with Sir Stephen Fry and Nicola Sturgeon among a high-profile line-up facing what has become one of television’s most disarming and unpredictable interview formats. The RTS-winning and Bafta-nominated show, praised by critics as one of the most original programmes on television, will see a fresh group of well-known names take t

Families across Antrim and Glengormley are set for a treat this Easter as Bluey — the global children’s TV sensation — arrives on the big screen with a special cinema event designed to delight audiences of all ages. Landing in local cinemas on Friday 27 March, Bluey at the Cinema: Playdates with Friends Collection offers an hour-long experience packed with laughter, imagination and heart, just in time for the school holidays. A big-screen celebration of play, friendship and f

Global superstar Niall Horan is set to return to Belfast for a major arena show in 2026, with the chart-topping singer confirming the final date of his UK and European tour will take place at the SSE Arena on Sunday 15 November. The highly anticipated performance will mark the closing night of his newly announced Dinner Party tour, named after his upcoming album, and is expected to draw huge demand from fans across Northern Ireland and beyond. Tickets and key details Tickets

Patrick Connor (standing) with Musical Director Andrew Robinson. A Ballymena performer is set to shine under the spotlight next month as one of the standout voices in a major musical theatre showcase on the North Coast. Patrick Connor, from Buckna , will take centre stage in Ballywillan Drama Group’s upcoming production, The Best of Broadway and the West End 3 , running at Portrush Town Hall from April 14–18. The award-winning group is already deep in rehearsals for the hi

Randalstown YFC who will perform at the Farmers’ Choir NI Arts Festival Showcase in Ballymena Music, drama and laughter will take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland prepares to host a special Arts Festival Showcase celebrating the creativity and talent of young people from rural communities. The event will take place on Thursday 19 March at 8:00pm at Ballymena Academy and will feature performances by members of Finvoy, Garvagh and R

Ireland’s Highest Bar and Restaurant has stepped into the global spotlight. The Ponderosa, perched high in the Sperrin Mountains, has appeared in Lisa McGee’s new Netflix drama How To Get To Heaven From Belfast — placing one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable rural landmarks centre stage in a major television production. Eagle-eyed viewers tuning into the new series may have spotted the local pub in the penultimate episode. In episode seven, as the dark comedy’s storylin

Ballymena comedian Gary Pollock pictured at The Braid auditorium where he will host his debit solo show in May. Ballymena-born comedian Gary Pollock is set to return home for the biggest performance of his career to date, with his debut solo show Bucket List already reaching almost half capacity at The Braid Arts Centre—four months ahead of the curtain rising. The much-anticipated hometown show will take place on Friday 22 May 2026, and with close to 200 tickets already sold,

Farmers’ Choir members who participated in the Life Beyond Service. The past year has proved to be both memorable and deeply fulfilling for the Farmers’ Choir, as its 55 members came together through music, friendship and a shared commitment to supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. Under the leadership of Musical Director Barkley Thompson, the choir enjoyed a packed programme of concerts, community events and media appearances, reinforcing its role as an impor

The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty Patrick Kielty is set to lead a spectacular live countdown into 2026 as The Late Late Show rounds off 2025 with a star-studded New Year’s Eve special, packed with music, laughter and reflection. Broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, the much-loved annual programme promises an unforgettable night of entertainment, combining standout musical performances, surprise collaborations and lively studio conversations — before culminating in a

UK television audiences continued to make their voices heard in 2025, with Ofcom receiving almost 50,000 complaints about broadcast and on-demand content over the course of the year, according to newly published figures from the media regulator. The complaints related to more than 8,000 television, radio and on-demand programmes, a level of engagement which Ofcom said demonstrates how strongly viewers and listeners feel about the standards of the content they consume. “Every

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti has made a highly anticipated return to Belfast, marking her first solo tour in a decade with a special performance at the Ulster Hall — now set to reach audiences across the UK and Ireland through a major Sky Arts broadcast. The concert, filmed last week at the iconic Belfast venue, will air as Nicola Benedetti & Friends on Monday, 29 December at 7.30pm on Sky Arts , with the pro

Malachi Cush performing some of his favourite carols and newly released music with friends at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh Acclaimed Irish singer and broadcaster Malachi Cush is set to bring the spirit of Christmas to homes across Northern Ireland next week, entertaining listeners on BBC Radio Ulster following more than a dozen sold-out performances throughout the festive season. Listeners are invited to tune in on Christmas Day at 12noon for Christmas at the Cathedral ,

(L-R) Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jole Dommett, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross. The Masked Singer is set to bring festive fun to viewers this Boxing Day with a glittering Christmas Special, as four famous faces take to the stage disguised in elaborate seasonal costumes. Airing at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, the one-off special promises music, mystery and seasonal spectacle as celebrities perform undercover while the judging panel attempts to decipher

“Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!” The festive season is officially underway as The Late Late Show Christmas Special welcomes a host of major stars — including Hollywood icon Brendan Fraser — for a packed night of entertainment with Patrick Kielty. Irish golfing champion Shane Lowry leads the line-up after an outstanding year on the course, having helped secure Team Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup victory and recently thrilling crowds at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

RENDR, the festival widely regarded as the creative meet-up of the year, has confirmed its return to Belfast in 2026 with an all-star line-up featuring some of the biggest names in film, television, gaming, animation and immersive tech. Taking place from 12–13 February at Portview Trade Centre in East Belfast , the two-day event promises “genre-busting technology and creative inspiration” supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast Cit

As the festive season gets into full swing, Dale Farm has announced its continued support for Northern Ireland’s most celebrated Christmas tradition, renewing its sponsorship of the Grand Opera House pantomime for the ninth consecutive year. The dairy cooperative’s long-running partnership with the iconic Belfast theatre underlines its ongoing commitment to championing the region’s arts sector, while also encouraging family enjoyment and festive togetherness. This year’s prod