Scene Around Six 1957

TV came to Northern Ireland in early-1953. At first, regional programming was limited to a monthly filmed series, but by autumn 1957, the BBC was ready to go ahead with live daily regional news bulletins. The first ‘Northern Ireland News’ was presented by veteran radio announcer, Maurice Shillington.

Over the next few years, the five minute regional news slot developed into a twenty-five minute programme known variously as ‘Today In Northern Ireland’, ‘Six O’Clock’ and ‘Six-Five’ before the catch-all ‘Scene Around Six’ title came into use. Early presenters of ‘Scene Around Six’ included Michael Baguley and Larry McCoubry; Barry Cowan became a familiar figure during the 1970s on the local programme and through contributions to ‘Nationwide’.