Hits Radio North East: Difference between revisions

Hits Radio North East
Newcastle upon Tyne;
Broadcast area	Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham
Frequency	FM: 97.1 MHz (Burnhope); 102.6 MHz (Alnwick); 103.0 MHz (Fenham); 103.2 MHz (Hexham); DAB: 11C;
RDS	HITS_NE
Branding	The North East’s Hits Radio; The Biggest Hits, The Biggest Throwbacks
Programming
Format	CHR/Pop
Network	Hits Radio
Ownership
Owner	Bauer Media Audio UK
Sister stations	Hits Radio Teesside; Greatest Hits Radio North East
History
First air date	15 July 1974 (50 years ago)
Former names	Metro Radio; Metro FM
Former frequencies	97.0 MHz; 1152 kHz
Technical information
Licensing authority	Ofcom
Links
Webcast	Hits Radio North East Player
Website	Hits Radio North East

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Hits Radio North East, formerly Metro Radio, is an Independent Local Radio station based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK as part of the Hits Radio network. The station launched in 1974 as Metro Radio. It broadcasts to County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear.

As of March 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 382,000 listeners according to RAJAR.^[1]

History

Logo used from 2003 to 2015. (A variant used between 2000 and 2003 had a dark blue background)

Launch as Metro Radio

The Newcastle-based station, broadcasting to North-East England, launched on 15 July 1974.^[2] The first breakfast show was presented by Don Dwyer, an Australian radio presenter formerly at ABC and the United Biscuits Network. The first show included messages of congratulations from Kenny Everett at the equivalent local commercial station in London, Capital Radio.

Studios

The station transmitted from a studio in Swalwell, Gateshead, which in later years would be adjacent to the Metrocentre and is now Metropolitan House—a business centre providing serviced office accommodation. Metro, and sister station Magic 1152, moved in 2005 to the former BT building previously known as Swan House – now known as 55° North – next to the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne. In April 2021, it was announced that Metro Radio were relocating their studios once more. Later in 2021 as planned, they relocated their broadcasting studios to the Grade II listed building, Gainsborough House on Newcastle's Grey Street. Before the move, the studio had undergone a purposed fit-out which included 2 additional studios and a contemporary, flexible office space.

Football commentary

Until 2005 the station broadcast live football commentary for the region's two biggest clubs; Newcastle United and Sunderland. In an attempt to boost ratings, the football commentary was stopped. However, a negative response from football fans prompted the owners to cover all Newcastle and Sunderland games on sister station Magic 1152.

TFM co-location

From 8 April 2013, all Metro Radio's programming has been shared with TFM. However, the Metro Radio branding was retained along with separate advertising and local news bulletins.^[3] The two stations were able to co-locate without consultation, for the Metro Radio licence area is located in one approved broadcast area (north-east England).^[4]

Logo used until 2024.

Hits Radio rebrand

On 10 January 2024, station owners Bauer announced Metro Radio would be rebranded as Hits Radio North East from April 2024, as part of a network-wide relaunch involving 17 local radio stations in England and Wales.^[5] The announcement signalled the end of the Metro Radio brand after nearly 50 years of broadcasting.^[6]

The station's local news and regional output will not be affected as a result of the relaunch.

On 17 April 2024 at 6am, Metro Radio was rebranded to Hits Radio North East, officially marking the end of the Metro Radio brand, the website for which had been replaced with the Hits Radio website earlier that morning.^[7]

Programming

Regional programming (Steve & Karen's Breakfast Show) airs 6-10am on weekdays from Bauer’s Newcastle studios.

At all other times networked programming airs via Bauer’s London headquarters or studios in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.^[8]

News

Regional news bulletins air hourly from 6am-7pm on weekdays, and from 7am-1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside traffic bulletins.

National bulletins from other Bauer newsrooms or Sky News Radio are at other times.^[8]

Notable former presenters

Allan Beswick (later with BBC Radio Lancashire, now retired)
Rich Clarke (Heart South)
Mark Goodier (Greatest Hits Radio)
Pete Graves (Sky Sports News)
Ingrid Hagemann
Lucy Horobin (Heart Dance)
Jason King (Heart London)
Gabby Logan
Jonathan Morrell (BBC Radio Newcastle)
Anna Foster (broadcaster) (BBC Radio Newcastle)
Jenny Powell (Greatest Hits Radio)
Alan Robson (later at Greatest Hits Radio, now on the Internet)
Joel Ross (Rock FM)
Lisa Shaw (deceased) ^[9]
Bill Steel
Pip Tomson (Good Morning Britain)
Clive Warren
James Whale (talkRADIO)
Russ Williams (Nation Radio UK)

References

^ "RAJAR".
^ Metro Radio Media UK
^ TFM leaves Teesside to share with Metro, RadioToday, 5 April 2013
^ Leading MEP to demand action from Ofcom over TFM/Metro merger The Northern Echo, 7 April 2013
^ "Fifteen local stations get set for Hits Radio rebrand". Bauer. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
^ "Bauer to rebrand heritage FM stations in England and Wales to Hits Radio". RadioToday. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
^ "Hits Radio has arrived!". 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
^ ^a ^b Hits Radio - Public File - North East
^ "Lisa Shaw: BBC Radio Newcastle presenter dies aged 44". BBC News. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.

External links

[1] "RAJAR".

[mediauk-2] Metro Radio Media UK

[mergerradiotoday-3] TFM leaves Teesside to share with Metro, RadioToday, 5 April 2013

[4] Leading MEP to demand action from Ofcom over TFM/Metro merger The Northern Echo, 7 April 2013

[5] "Fifteen local stations get set for Hits Radio rebrand". Bauer. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

[6] "Bauer to rebrand heritage FM stations in England and Wales to Hits Radio". RadioToday. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

[7] "Hits Radio has arrived!". 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.

[publicfile-8] Hits Radio - Public File - North East

[9] "Lisa Shaw: BBC Radio Newcastle presenter dies aged 44". BBC News. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
 {{Infobox radio station
-| name = Metro Radio
+| name = Hits Radio North East
-| logo = Metro Radio logo 2015.png
+| logo = Hits Radio 2024.svg
-| image =
+| logo_size = 170px
-| image_size = 80px
 | city = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]
 | country =
-| area = [[Tyne and Wear]], [[Northumberland]], and [[County Durham]]
+| area = [[Tyne and Wear]], [[Northumberland]] and [[County Durham]]
-| airdate = {{start date and age|1974|07|15|df=y}}
+| airdate = 15 July 1974 (50 years ago)
-| former_frequencies = 97.0 MHz<br>1152 KHz
+| former_frequencies = 97.0&nbsp;MHz<br>1152&nbsp;kHz
+| former_names = Metro Radio<br>Metro FM
 | licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
 | frequency = {{ubl||[[FM broadcasting|FM]]: {{frequency|97.1|MHz}} ([[Burnhope transmitting station|Burnhope]]) | {{frequency|102.6|MHz}} (Alnwick)| {{frequency|103.0|MHz}} (Fenham)|{{frequency|103.2|MHz}} (Hexham) | [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]: 11C}}
-| rds = Metro
+| rds = HITS_NE
+| branding = ''The North East’s Hits Radio''<br>''The Biggest Hits, The Biggest Throwbacks''
-| format = [[Contemporary hit radio]]
+| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR/Pop]]
 | network = [[Hits Radio]]
 | owner = [[Bauer Media Audio UK]]
-| sister_stations = [[TFM (radio station)|TFM]]<br>[[Greatest Hits Radio North East]]
+| sister_stations = [[TFM (radio station)|Hits Radio Teesside]]<br>[[Greatest Hits Radio North East]]
-| webcast = [https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/player/ Metro Radio Player]
+| webcast = [https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/newcastle/play// Hits Radio North East Player]
+| website = [https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/newcastle/ Hits Radio North East]
-| website = {{Official URL}}
 }}
-'''Metro Radio''' is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England, owned and operated by [[Bauer Radio|Bauer]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] network. It broadcasts to [[County Durham]], [[Northumberland]], and [[Tyne and Wear]].
+'''Hits Radio North East''', formerly '''Metro Radio''', is an [[Independent Local Radio]] station based in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England, owned and operated by [[Bauer Media Audio UK]] as part of the [[Hits Radio]] network. The station launched in 1974 as Metro Radio. It broadcasts to [[County Durham]], [[Northumberland]], and [[Tyne and Wear]].
-As of September 2023, the station has a weekly audience of 308,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |title=RAJAR }}</ref>
+As of March 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 382,000 listeners according to [[RAJAR]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php |title=RAJAR }}</ref>
 ==History==
 [[File:Metro Radio 2013 Logo.png|thumb|200px|Logo used from 2003 to 2015. (A variant used between 2000 and 2003 had a dark blue background)]]
-===Launch===
+===Launch as Metro Radio===
 The Newcastle-based station, broadcasting to North-East England, launched on 15 July 1974.<ref name=mediauk>[http://www.mediauk.com/radio/151/metro-radio Metro Radio] Media UK</ref> The first breakfast show was presented by [[Don Dwyer (broadcaster)|Don Dwyer]], an Australian radio presenter formerly at ABC and the United Biscuits Network. The first show included messages of congratulations from [[Kenny Everett]] at the equivalent local commercial station in London, [[Capital Radio]].
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
 ===TFM co-location===
 From 8 April 2013, all Metro Radio's programming has been shared with [[TFM (radio station)|TFM]]. However, the Metro Radio branding was retained along with separate advertising and local news bulletins.<ref name=mergerradiotoday>[http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/04/tfm-leaves-teesside-to-share-with-metro/ TFM leaves Teesside to share with Metro], RadioToday, 5 April 2013</ref> The two stations were able to co-locate without consultation, for the Metro Radio licence area is located in one approved broadcast area (north-east England).<ref>[http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/hartlepool/10338925.Calls_for_investigation_into_TFM_radio_studio_closure/ Leading MEP to demand action from Ofcom over TFM/Metro merger] ''The Northern Echo'', 7 April 2013</ref>
+[[File:Metro Radio logo 2015.png|thumb|Logo used until 2024.]]
 ===Hits Radio rebrand===
-On 10 January 2024, station owners Bauer announced Metro Radio would be rebranded as [[Hits Radio]] North East from April 2024, as part of a network-wide relaunch involving 15 local radio stations in England and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Fifteen local stations get set for Hits Radio rebrand |url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/fifteen-local-stations-get-set-for-hits-radio-rebrand/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Bauer |language=en-GB}}</ref> The announcement signalled the end of the Metro Radio brand after nearly 50 years of broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Bauer to rebrand heritage FM stations in England and Wales to Hits Radio |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/01/bauer-to-rebrand-heritage-fm-stations-in-england-and-wales-to-hits-radio/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>
+On 10 January 2024, station owners Bauer announced Metro Radio would be rebranded as [[Hits Radio]] North East from April 2024, as part of a network-wide relaunch involving 17 local radio stations in England and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Fifteen local stations get set for Hits Radio rebrand |url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/fifteen-local-stations-get-set-for-hits-radio-rebrand/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Bauer |language=en-GB}}</ref> The announcement signalled the end of the Metro Radio brand after nearly 50 years of broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Bauer to rebrand heritage FM stations in England and Wales to Hits Radio |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/01/bauer-to-rebrand-heritage-fm-stations-in-england-and-wales-to-hits-radio/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 The station's local news and regional output will not be affected as a result of the relaunch.
+On 17 April 2024 at 6am, Metro Radio was rebranded to Hits Radio North East, officially marking the end of the Metro Radio brand, the website for which had been replaced with the Hits Radio website earlier that morning.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2024 |title=Hits Radio has arrived! |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/newcastle/local/hits-radio-north-east-listening-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417085733/https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/newcastle/local/hits-radio-north-east-listening-guide/ |archive-date=17 April 2024 |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref>
 ==Programming==
+Regional programming (''[[Steve & Karen's Breakfast Show]]'') airs 6-10am on weekdays from Bauer’s Newcastle studios.
-Networked programming originates from Bauer's Manchester headquarters.<ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/05/hits-radio-network-stations-drop-local-weekend-programmes/ Hits Radio Network stations drop local weekend programmes], Radio Today, 30 May 2019</ref><ref>[https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/08/bauer-to-network-drivetime-across-11-licences-in-north-and-midlands/ Bauer to network drivetime across 11 licences in North and Midlands], Radio Today, 5 August 2019</ref>
-Regional programming is produced and broadcast from Bauer's Newcastle studios, weekdays 6-10am (''[[Steve & Karen's Breakfast Show]]'') and is syndicated with sister station [[TFM (radio)|TFM]].<ref>[https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/public-file/ Metro Radio - Public File]</ref>
+At all other times networked programming airs via Bauer’s London headquarters or studios in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.<ref name=publicfile>[https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/public-file-north-east/ Hits Radio - Public File - North East]</ref>
+==News==
-The station's long-running talk show ''Night Owls'', presented by [[Alan Robson]] since 1983, ran for over 40 years before airing its final edition in June 2019.<ref>[https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/alan-robson-night-owls-metro-16428473 Night Owls on Metro Radio to end], Sonia Sharma, ''The Chronicle'', 14 June 2019</ref> It then aired weekly on [[Greatest Hits Radio North East|GHR North East]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio Teesside|GHR Teesside]] until 24 April 2022, after which Robson moved into making material for online distribution only.<ref>[https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/alan-robsons-night-owls-end-23584856 Alan Robson's Night Owls to end on radio, but beloved presenter has new plans], Simon Meechan, ''The Chronicle'', 4 April 2022</ref>
+Regional news bulletins air hourly from 6am-7pm on weekdays, and from 7am-1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside traffic bulletins.
+National bulletins from other Bauer newsrooms or [[Sky News Radio]] are at other times.<ref name=publicfile></ref>
-===News===
-Bauer's Newcastle newsroom broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6am-7pm on weekdays, and from 7am-1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows, alongside traffic bulletins.
-National bulletins from [[Sky News Radio]] are carried overnight with bespoke networked bulletins on weekend afternoons, usually originating from Bauer's Leeds newsroom.
 ==Notable former presenters==
 {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2018}}
 <!--Any non-notable presenters (those without Wikipedia articles) added here are liable to be removed - if someone is considered notable (red linking is not enough), please write a Wikipedia article on them first, or provide multiple reputable independent sources to show they deserve an article and are associated with the station. Any presenters with Wikipedia articles also need such sources on this page to stay here.-->
-{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
 * [[Allan Beswick]] (later with [[BBC Radio Lancashire]], now retired)
 * [[Richard Clarke (radio personality)|Rich Clarke]] ([[Heart South]])
@@ Line 75: / Line 76: @@
 * [[Jenny Powell]] (Greatest Hits Radio)
 * [[Alan Robson]] (later at Greatest Hits Radio, now on the [[Internet]])
-* [[Joel Ross]] ([[Rock FM (English radio station)|Rock FM]])
+* [[Joel Ross (DJ)|Joel Ross]] ([[Rock FM (English radio station)|Rock FM]])
 *[[Lisa Shaw (broadcaster)|Lisa Shaw]] (deceased) <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-57213609.amp |title=Lisa Shaw: BBC Radio Newcastle presenter dies aged 44 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2021 |accessdate=28 May 2021}}</ref>
 * [[Bill Steel]]
@@ Line 85: / Line 86: @@
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
+==Further reading==
+*Paul Donovan. "Metro Radio". The Radio Companion. 1991. [https://archive.org/details/radiocompanion0000dono/page/176/mode/1up p 176]. See also p 261.
+*David Morton. [https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/gallery/metro-radio-rebranded-after-half-28479420.amp "As Metro Radio is rebranded after half a century: 10 photos from the station’s early years"]. Chronicle Live. 20 January 2024.
+*Eric Croston (ed). "Metro Radio". Television & Radio 1978. IBA. [https://archive.org/details/televisionradiog0000unse/page/162/mode/1up p 162].
 ==External links==
+* [https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/newcastle/ Official Website]
-* {{Official website}}
 * {{YouTube|channel=UCzINUBmgZp-GgGKK3stfiDQ}}
-* [https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/cashforkids/ Metro Radio - Cash for Kids]
+* [https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/cashforkids/ Hits Radio North East - Cash for Kids]
 {{Hits Radio}}
 {{Radio stations in North East England}}
+{{coord missing|United Kingdom}}
 [[Category:Bauer Radio]]

v t e Hits Radio
UK	Hits Radio UK Hits Radio Pride
London	Hits Radio London
Midlands	Birmingham Coventry & Warwickshire Herefordshire & Worcestershire Black Country & Shropshire East Midlands Staffordshire & Cheshire Lincolnshire
North East England	North East Teesside
North West England	Manchester Liverpool Lancashire Cumbria
Scotland	Clyde 1 (Glasgow - Ayrshire) Forth 1 MFR Northsound 1 Tay FM
Southern England	Bournemouth & Poole Bristol & The South West Oxfordshire
Wales	South Wales
Yorkshire	South Yorkshire West Yorkshire East Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire
Related topics	Bauer Media Audio UK Greatest Hits Radio Timeline of Hits Radio

v t e Radio stations in North East England
Major stations	BBC Radio Newcastle BBC Radio Tees Capital North East Frisk Radio Greatest Hits Radio North East Greatest Hits Radio Teesside Heart North East Hits Radio North East Greatest Hits Radio Scottish Borders and North Northumberland Smooth North East Nation Radio North East Hits Radio Teesside
Community radio	Nova Radio North East Radio Hartlepool Radio Sunderland for Hospitals Radio Teesdale Spark Sunderland Spice FM Darlo Fans Radio Zetland FM
Student radio	Click Teesside Newcastle Student Radio Purple Radio
Pirate radio	Radio 270
Defunct stations	Alpha Radio Durham FM Great North Radio Minster Northallerton
See also List of radio stations in the United Kingdom