Across the Line (radio show)

Across the Line is a music radio show on BBC Radio Ulster, established in 1986 as The Bottom Line. It focuses on new music from Northern Ireland and from all of Ireland. From 1990 to 1994, Across the Line was also broadcast across the UK on BBC Radio 5. It most recently aired on Fridays from 6:05 pm to 7:00 pm under the title ATL Introducing, presented by Gemma Bradley, who also hosted the national Introducing show on BBC Radio 1. Across the Line previously aired on Mondays from 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm, and in other evening timeslots. The programme has been on hiatus since May 2025.

Support for Northern Ireland music and musicians has been central to the Across the Line editorial brief. Since its inception in 1986 as The Bottom Line, the programme has championed Northern Irish rock music and in particular bands from Northern Ireland. The show is also known for its website, www.bbc.co.uk/atl, and has also had a television version, ATL TV. Across the Line won gold at the PPI Awards in 2008, 2009 and 2016, then the equivalent IMRO Awards in 2020 and 2021 (the Irish version of the UK 'Sonys'/ARIAs).

Regular contributors have included Stuart Bailie (who also writes for NME magazine), Phil Taggart (BBC Radio 1), Niall Byrne (Nialler 9), Paul McClean, Helen Toland and Bernard Keenan. For several years, Rigsy presented alongside Donna Legge. Until early 2012, Paul Hamill presented the ATL Dance Show.