The UTV Podcast

A new year and a new row over a flag. This time it's over what flag to fly at the Commonwealth games. Tonight, it's been decided that the Ulster banner will be used. We have an extended interview with the Sports Minister, Gordon Lyons. Social media has become something of a 'wild west' with the latest uproar caused by 'Grok' the AI tool which is being used to create fake sexualised images.  Partie...

A former PSNI detective has urged people to make themselves aware of the signs of coercive control as it could save lives.  James Brannigan worked on the Katie Simpson murder investigation. The young showjumper's death was initially treated as a suicide before concerns were raised and a murder investigation was launched.  Working with members of her family, he established The Katie Trust. It helps...

John O'Dowd has published his long-awaited multi-year draft budget. But he still needs the rest of the Executive to play ball. How difficult will that prove to be? We've been speaking at length to the Finance Minister and we'll be joined by representatives from some of the other parties. Also here with their analysis of the announcement will be Ann Watt from Pivotal and the Economist Paul MacFlynn...

Australian online safety campaigner Emma Mason, whose daughter Tilly took her own life as a result of online bullying, is calling for a social media ban for teenagers to be introduced in the UK. You can watch this episode and catch up with the rest of the series on ITVX

We've put together every episode of 'Going the Extra Mile' in one place .   This is the podcast where Carol Jordan speaks to people who work within their communities, support others, and raise awareness of issues all without the need for recognition or reward. Expect to hear about the women campaigning for improved cervical screening, the lottery winner who has given millions to charity, a former...

After losing his mother Joan in an accident, Marcus Christie was driven to show his appreciation for Air Ambulance NI who were tasked to the scene. This episode is available to watch in full on ITVX .

We talk to organisations and individuals, keen to see the Executive agree a draft three year budget. They tell Stewart Robson it would greatly help them to plan for the future. To discuss the chances of a Budget being agreed - as well as the highs and lows of the political year - I'll be joined by our political editor Tracey Magee; Dr. David McCann; Professor Deirdre Heenan; and Alex Kane. We'll a...

On this week's episode of Going the Extra Mile, Damian McNairney from the People's Kitchen warns that recent statistics showing 58 homeless people have died on Northern Ireland's streets are no surprise to those on the frontline.  This episode is available to watch in full on ITVX .  UTV put the points made by Damian to the Department of Communities and they have referred us to recent press releas...

The final report on the activities of the Army agent codenamed Stakeknife has been published.

It's all about the money - Stormont ministers say they don't have enough - where will the money come from to fix crumbling public services?      We'll be joined by a panel of experts as well as politicians from the UUP, Alliance and the SDLP opposition.  Ahead of the final Kenova report into the state agent Stakeknife, we will look at what it might contain with our Crime and Security Correspondent...

Carol Jordan talks to Heather Thompson and Leona Patterson who run the support and campaign group Ladies With Letters. The group was formed in the midst of the review of thousands of cervical smear samples in the Southern Trust. They talk about the devestation of being told that you have cancer after a misread smear and seeking solace in eachother.  Watch in full on ITVX

Just how is the budget going to affect businesses and families in Northern Ireland?  Stewart Robson has that report, and I'll be joined by politicians from some of the parties. We also analyse the economics of that budget with Ann Watt, Paul Mac Flynn and Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick. And as the Chancellor is accused of lying about her budget, we're joined from London by Financial Times Political Editor G...

Carol Jordan sits down with Louise McKee who runs Help Is At Hand For Those in Need NI a group that supports struggling families.  You can also watch this episiode on ITVX.

UTV brings you analysis of the chancellor's 2025 Budget and what it will mean for households and businesses in Northern Ireland.

How will the Westminster budget affect people here? Tori Watson has that report, and we'll be joined by a panel of experts. Another row over Israel divides the Executive, Our Political Editor Tracey Magee will have the latest from Stormont.  We speak to the newly appointed  Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners. Both in office but still waiting for the power to do their jobs. And we have a...

In this episode of 'UTV Talking Politics',Tracey and Vicki discuss another bruising week for parties around the Executive table as the Covid-19 Inquiry published its conclusions. Meanwhile, differing views of the conflict in the Middle East continued to be felt at Stormont. While relationships at Stormont continue to sour, the British and Irish governments are in lockstep as they attempt to garner...

In this episode of the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan sits down with Melanie Grimsley, who has lived with a visible difference for most of her life and now sees her portrait hanging in the National Portrait Gallery — a moment that brings personal recognition and a shift in how society views beauty and resilience, as she finds herself being stared at in a very different light.   You can watch this episod...

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris tells our Political Editor Tracey Magee that the British government must remain faithful to the proposals in the new joint framework on legacy. He says there is no plan B. We ask: is Stormont ripe for reform? Stewart Robson reports on how any changes might work and talks to the parties about whether or not reform is needed. To discus...

Carol Jordan sits down with Daryl Clarke, Project Coordinator at Monkstown Boxing Club, to discuss how boxing changes lives.

Paul Givan describes the no confidence motion against him as a toxic mix of anti-semitism, anti-unionism and hypocrisy. Sinn Fein said  the Education Minister had no compassion or regret for the people of Gaza. Tonight we examine what it all means for relations between the parties here.  I'm joined by senior Stormont politicians. Catherine Connolly will be sworn in as the tenth Irish President on...

In this episode of UTV's fortnightly politics podcast 'UTV Talking Politics', UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee and Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne discuss nosediving relationships at Stormont following Paul Givan's trip to Israel, and the upcoming Irish Presidential inauguration.

In our podcast series going the extra mile, which highlights the many good people in our society championing good causes, Carol Jordan sits down with Matthew Taylor to discuss the state of mental health provision in Northern Ireland.  You can watch it on ITVX And if you are feeling you may need help or support with any of the issues raised in this podcast, you can find help on our website . 

As the Education Minister is criticised by parties and unions following a six day visit to Israel, we examine the fall-out.  We're joined by Paul Givan, and by representatives from other parties at Stormont. A new task force is being set up to tackle a recent spate of anti-social behaviour in Belfast City Centre. Will it be enough, or will people be discouraged from going into the centre as we hea...

Would you pledge to carry out 18,627 acts of kindness over 51 years? Niall Donnan from Newcastle has pledged to do just that. To find out what has motivated him to make such a huge commitment join Carol Jordan on our new podcast Going the Extra Mile. 

As the Executive confirms the first Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners, we examine what it all means for language strategies. Daniel Duffy reports and we hear from the SDLP's Carl Whyte and the DUP's Phillip Brett. The state of Stormont's finances is once again in the spotlight with the Finance Minister saying hundreds more millions of pounds are needed.  We talk to Ann Watt from the po...