Hits Radio North East
| File:Metro Radio Logo.PNG | |
| Broadcast area | Tyne and Wear, County Durham & Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.2 MHz, 102.6 MHz, 103.0 MHz, 97.1 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Mixed Hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bauer Radio |
| History | |
First air date | July 15 1974 |
Metro Radio is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to North East England. Its output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. It is owned by Bauer Radio and is part of their Big City Network of stations.
History
The station launched on the July 15 1974. The first Breakfast Show was presented by Don Dwyer, a senior producer at Metropolitan Broadcasting and Harry Rowell, who also featured as a newsreader. The show also included messages of congratulations from Kenny Everett at Capital Radio as well as messages from LBC.
The station originally transmitted from a studio in Swalwell, Gateshead, which, in later years, would be adjacent to the MetroCentre. In 2005 Metro, and sister station Magic 1152 moved to the former BT building, previously known as Swan House, now known as 55° (Degrees) North, in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Until 2005 the station broadcast live football commentary for the region's two biggest clubs — Sunderland A.F.C. and Newcastle Utd. In an attempt to boost ratings, the football commentary was stopped. However, a negative response from football fans prompted the owners to cover all Sunderland and Newcastle games on sister station Magic 1152.
The controversial DJ and TV presenter James Whale launched his radio career on Metro, presenting the Night Owls Show on the station between 1974 and 1980.
Present
Since 2 July 2005 Metro Radio has broadcast from the 55 Degrees North complex, next to the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The station is currently the principal sponsor of the MetroRadio Arena, formerly the Telewest Arena.
The station currently broadcasts on four analogue frequencies to a potential audience of 1.4million. These frequencies are on 97.1 (Burnhope for Sunderland, Newcastle & Tyne Tunnel), 102.6 (Shilbottle for Alnwick), 103 (Fenham, west Newcastle) and 103.2 (Newton near Hexham). DAB is provided by the EMAP Digital Tyne and Wear 11C multiplex from Burnhope (strongest signal) and Fenham. Metro Radio's live broadcast can also be listened to from the website along with famous past shows
Metro Radio has won many awards including the Sony Radio Gold Award for Sport, and a finalist award for Creative Services at the New York awards and Station Of The Year at the EMAP radio awards.
Presenters and Shows
The presenters and shows as of May 2008 includes:
Current Presenters and Shows
Monday-Thursday
- Nicksy - Early Morning Nicksy (Bauer Radio Networked Show)
- Tony Horne - In the Morning
- Mark Thorburn - Top Ten At Ten & The All Request Lunch
- Brian Moore - Drive Home
- Rich & Luce - In Demand (Bauer Radio Networked Show)
- Alan Robson - Night Owls
Friday
- Nicksy - Early Morning Nicksy (Bauer Radio Networked Show)
- Tony Horne - In the Morning
- Mark Thorburn - Top Ten At Ten & The All Request Lunch
- Brian Moore - Drive Home
- Luce - Feel Good Friday Night (Bauer Radio Networked Show)
- Stu Smith - Feel Good Friday Party Mix
- Wayne - Friday Night Live
Saturday
- Dominic Walker - Saturday 2am-6am (Bauer Radio Networked Show)
- Alex Roland - Weekend Breakfast
- Marc Henry - Top Ten At Ten
- Richard Allen - Game On
- Wayne - Floorfillers
- Alan Robson - Hot 'n' Heavy
Sunday
- George Elliot - Floorfillers Extra
- Dan Black
- Alex Roland - Weekend Breakfast
- Anna Foster - The Best Of Tony Horne In The Morning
- Marc Henry - Retro Metro
- Lucio - hit40uk, Sunday 4pm-7pm (National Simulcast Show)
- Stu Smith - Stu's Sunday Sesh
- Alan Robson - Night Owls
Other Current Presenters
These presenters may stand in for other presenters and/or be involved with the presenting of some shows broadcast on the station:
- Ian Thompson (Better known as 'Dogs Body', part of Tony Horne's breakfast team)
- Marky Mark (Traffic & Travel for Tony Horne In The Morning and Brian Moore's Home Run)
- Matt Bailey (Night Owls show producer and stand in presenter for the show)
Past Presenters
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See http://www.northeastradio.co.uk
Night Owls show
Night Owls is Britain's most listened to late night radio phone-in show, and is broadcast on Metro Radio. The current host of the show is Alan Robson, who has fronted the show since 1983.
After the departure of James Whale, Alan Beswick, Tony Crosby and Dave Porter presented the Night Owls show for a short period, before Alan Robson began presenting in 1983.
The show has won over 30 national and international awards including in 2005 the New York radio award for Worlds Best Talk Show. [citation needed]