NEWSTALK RADIO station will next month reinstate two cancelled programmes following a direction from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).
The Irish-language programme Splancand the arts show Culture Shockwere taken off air towards the end of 2008.
The BCI had directed Newstalk to put the two special interest programmes back on its schedule before the end of February. It is understood the commission will not object to the delay, however.
A spokeswoman for Newstalk confirmed that Splancwould return from next Friday, March 6th. She said this would coincide with the beginning of the Seachtain na Gaeilge festival, the annual Irish language and culture festival.
The original presenter, Daragh Ó Tuama, will host the show, which covers music, current affairs and sport.
The Newstalk spokeswoman also said a new arts programme will begin on Saturday, March 14th at 7pm.
Culture Shock, which was presented by travel writer Fionn Davenport, was cancelled last year. It concentrated on arts, entertainment and popular culture.
The spokeswoman said Davenport would be returning to present the new programme beginning on March 14th, to coincide with St Patrick's Festival. Earlier this month, The Irish Timesreported that Newstalk and Today FM had been notified of serious breaches of contract after they introduced programming changes without prior approval by the BCI.
Both stations are owned by businessman Denis O’Brien’s media firm Communicorp.
The BCI accepted Communicorp’s arguments relating to some of the changes that had taken place, such as some sharing of news arrangements between the two stations. It is understood Communicorp argued that the changes would help to secure the viability of Newstalk in the current economic downturn.
However, the BCI ruled that the removal of Splancand Culture Shockfrom Newstalk's schedule reduced diversity of programming.
The commission also said the absence of these programmes would have a significant impact on the Programme Policy Statement, which sets out the station’s programming commitments.
