BBC Radio Newcastle
54°58′54″N 1°38′05″W / 54.9816°N 1.6348°W
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| Broadcast area | |
|---|---|
| Frequency |
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| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Mainly local news and talk, with a range of music from across the decades. |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | BBC |
| Operator | BBC North East and Cumbria |
| History | |
First air date | 2 January 1971 |
Former frequencies | AM: 1458 kHz (Wrekenton) |
| Technical information | |
Transmitter coordinates | 54°52′09″N 1°46′16″W / 54.8691°N 1.7712°W |
| Repeater(s) |
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| Links | |
| Webcast | BBC Sounds |
| Website | www |
BBC Radio Newcastle (formerly BBC Newcastle) is the BBC Local Radio station for Tyne and Wear and surrounding areas, broadcasting from studios (known locally as the 'Pink Palace') on Barrack Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.
According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 198,000 listeners and a 5% share as of December 2018.[1]
Technical
The Pontop Pike transmitter broadcasts the strongest signal on 95.4 MHz. This transmitter, one of the first in the country, provides Tyneside and parts of Wearside with national radio frequencies, terrestrial television, BBC National DAB and Digital One. The 96 MHz frequency from Chatton covers most of the populated areas of east Northumberland. The other two FM transmitters are much weaker. The Fenham transmitter, for west Newcastle and Gateshead situated close to the studios on Barrack Road, also broadcasts television, national radio, BBC National DAB, Digital One, the MXR North East 12C multiplex, Heart North East on 96.2, Metro Radio on 103 and Capital North East on 105.6. The Newton transmitter also has television channels, national radio, Heart on 96.4, Metro Radio on 103.2, and Capital North East on 105.8. The DAB signal comes mainly from Burnhope (near Consett), and also Fenham (lower power), on the Bauer Digital Radio multiplex.
Programming
Most of BBC Radio Newcastle's programming is produced and broadcast from its Newcastle studios, including off-peak regional programming shared with BBC Tees. During the station's overnight downtime, BBC Radio Newcastle simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live.
Notable presenters include Alfie Joey, Marian Foster and Paddy MacDee The Late Paddy MacDee Show.
The station's team of sports commentators includes Gary Bennett, Marco Gabbiadini and John Anderson.