NewsTalk unveils new look for expanded national service

NewsTalk 106 radio station promised yesterday to provide "something for everyone" when it launches a national service in October…

NewsTalk 106 radio station promised yesterday to provide "something for everyone" when it launches a national service in October.

The Dublin talk radio station, which goes nationwide on October 2nd as NewsTalk 106-108FM, unveiled its autumn schedule yesterday.

A number of new names and programmes have been introduced to the schedule ahead of the launch. Former TV3 news anchor Claire Byrne joins Ger Gilroy to present The Breakfast Show every weekday from 6.30am, while Tom Lyons will provide business news analysis on the show. Brenda Power will host a phone-in programme Your Call weekdays from 11-12.30am.

At the weekend, Senator David Norris will present a series of one-to-one interviews in his hour-long show, Sunday with Norris.

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Irish Times reporter Róisín Ingle will present Weekend Blend, a two-hour lifestyle show on Saturday mornings, while the newspaper's deputy business editor, Emmet Oliver, will continue to host Down to Business on Saturdays.

Fionn Davenport will present Taste, a music programme on Saturday evenings, and Patrick Geoghegan will host Contesting History Sunday evenings.

Established weekday programmes fronted by Orla Barry, Seán Moncrieff and George Hook will hope to make the transition to a national level.

The nightly sports show Off the Ball will continue to air from 7-10pm on weekdays and will be presented by Eoin McDevitt.

Newstalk 106 was awarded a 10-year quasi-national licence by the broadcasting commission in May and says it will reach 92 per cent of the population via an extensive transmitter network.

It has been broadcasting in Dublin for the last four years.