BBC Radio 2 has announced the launch of a new, live midnight show to air seven nights per week.
‘After Midnight’, which will run until 3am, will seeing hosting duties split over the week between long-standing night owls, Janice Long and Alex Lester.
Long, who currently hosts the midnight to 2am slot on the channel, said her audience had asked her to extend her show’s current running time.
“My audience have been hounding me for ages to go back to three hours so it gives me great pleasure to give them what they want on wonderful BBC Radio 2,” she said.
“I love keeping the nation going whether they are working or just having a late one.”
Alex Lester, who will host the show from Friday to Sunday, added: “At last a chance to make weekends extra special, brimming with top tunes, captivating conversation and sustenance aplenty for insomniacs.”
Huey Morgan and Bob Harris’s weekend programmes will move to 3 to 6am on Saturday and Sunday early mornings, respectively, replacing Richard Allinson (Saturday and Sunday, 3-6am) who will continue to deputise on key shows across the network.
On weekday early mornings from 3am to 5am, Radio 2 will be repeating some of the network’s more popular programmes.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights will broadcast Sounds Of The 60s with Brian Matthew, Sounds Of The 70s with Johnnie Walker and Sounds Of The 80s with Sara Cox.
After Midnight will Launch in October.
