BBC Radio Cymru

BBC Radio Cymru is BBC Cymru Wales's Welsh-language radio station, broadcasting throughout Wales from studios in Cardiff, Bangor, Aberystwyth and Carmarthen on FM since 1977. At the time of its launch it was the sole FM-only radio service in the UK. The station broadcasts for up to 19 hours a day (5.00–24.00) and is also available on DAB digital radio and Freeview within Wales and via satellite TV. Radio Cymru has also been streaming its output on the Internet since January 2005. Between midnight and 5.00 (5.30 on Saturdays and Sundays) the Radio Cymru frequencies carry BBC World Service programmes.

The station began broadcasting on 3 January 1977 with a news bulletin read by Gwyn Llewelyn, followed by its first programme – the breakfast show Helo Bobol!, presented by Hywel Gwynfryn. Radio Cymru was the first dedicated Welsh-language broadcasting outlet, allowing much more airtime for Welsh-language programmes than had previously been available on the old Radio 4 Wales (or the Welsh Home Service prior to 1967). Over the years it has done much to promote the language, with its sports commentators coining new terms which later became accepted by Welsh linguists.