BBC NI Takes The High Life

The autumn season on Northern Ireland television will see high-impact factual programmes being presented by the BBC.

"In The High Life we reveal how landmark Belfast high-rise, Divis Tower, has become a modern haven of high style living, while in Choirboys TV, cameras follow the new choir master in Saint Peter's Cathedral as he scours Belfast for new recruits to fulfil his ambition to have the choir sing in Rome," said Ailsa Orr, Head of Programmes, BBC Northern Ireland.

"Our Man In The Vatican rejoins local man Francis Campbell, British Ambassador to the Holy See, as he prepares for the Pope's visit to Britain, while Joe Lindsay and Emma-Louise Johnston return with a new series of Getaways, on a mission to uncover the best holiday destinations both at home and away.

"This season also sees In Cold Blood back for another series on Tuesday nights where cold case murders are explained by the detectives who solve them.

"This wide range of distinctive, high-quality programming shows our commitment to making local programmes reflecting life in its many forms and we hope our audiences will sit back and enjoy what promises to be a great autumn line-up," the BBC executive explained, also noting that Special Deliveries will provides a unique and fascinating window into the inner workings of one of Northern Ireland's busiest maternity units in the Ulster Hospital, following the midwives who work there.

The Belfast Festival at Queen's is also shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, and BBC Northern Ireland will be at the heart of the action with Festival Nights.

Coverage kicks off the week before the festival starts, in a programme with Ralph McLean and Marie-Louise Muir previewing the must see productions and events.

Once the festival is underway, Ralph and Marie-Louise will present five shows across two weeks, from a venue at Queen's.

Getaways, the popular travel series is back with Joe Lindsay and Emma-Louise Johnston on a mission to uncover the best holiday destinations you can fly to directly out of Ireland.

In this six-part series, produced for BBC Northern Ireland by Waddell Media, the pair uncover holiday gems in Croatia, Hungary, Canada, Cyprus and Abu Dhabi.

They'll also be reporting on a Mediterranean break from one of the world's largest cruise ships. And, closer to home, each programme includes one of the best short breaks "on our doorstep".

See: BBC Promises Comedy Autumn

(BMcC/GK)