Metro Radio
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Metro Radio
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| City of license | Newcastle |
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| Broadcast area | Tyne and Wear County Durham Northumberland |
| Branding | Move to the Music |
| Slogan | Non Stop Hits and More Music Variety |
| Frequency | RDS: METRO 102.6 MHz (Alnwick) 103.0 MHz (Fenham) 103.2 MHz (Hexham) 97.1 MHz (Tyne Tunnel Relay) 97.1 MHz (Newcastle upon Tyne)[1] |
| First air date | 15 July 1974 |
| Format | Contemporary hit radio, news, speech and talk |
| Audience share | 8.50% (March 2012, [2]) |
| Owner | Bauer Radio |
| Sister stations | Magic 1152 |
| Webcast | Metro Radio Player |
| Website | Metro Radio |
Metro Radio (also known as Metro) is an independent local radio station based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and broadcasting to Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland. The station's output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. Metro Radio is owned by Bauer Radio and forms part of the Bauer Place stations.
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Contents
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History
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This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
The Newcastle based station, broadcasting to North East England, launched on 15 July 1974. The first Breakfast Show was presented by Don Dwyer, an Australian radio presenter formerly at ABC, Giles Squire, James Whale, Peter Wraight, Peter Sampson and Harry Rowell were also there from the beginning. The first show also included messages of congratulations from Kenny Everett at the equivalent local commercial station in London, Capital Radio, and from the station's first managing director Bruce Lewis.
The station 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° North, in Newcastle upon Tyne.
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.
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. Other well known names include Mark Goodier, Gabby Logan, Jenny Powell, Jeremy Vine and Mark Forrest.
Present
Since 2 July 2005 Metro Radio has broadcast from the 55° North complex, next to the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The station is the principal sponsor of the Metro Radio Arena, formerly the Telewest Arena.
The station broadcasts on four analogue frequencies to a potential audience of 1.4million. These frequencies are 97.1 (Burnhope for Sunderland, Newcastle and Tyne Tunnel), 102.6 (Shilbottle for Alnwick), 103 (Fenham, west Newcastle) and 103.2 (Newton near Hexham). DAB is provided by the Bauer Digital Radio Tyne and Wear 11C multiplex from Burnhope and Fenham. Metro Radio's live broadcast can be listened to from the website along with famous past shows.
Awards and nominations
Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards
| Year | Award | Entry | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | RCS Programmer Of The Year | Chris Pegg (Programme Director) | Nominated |
| 2011 | Skillset Newcomer(s) Of The Year | Simon Conway (Journalist) | Nominated |
| 2011 | Newsteam Of The Year | Newsteam | Nominated |
| 2012 | Feature(s) of the Year | Raoul Moat: One Year On Presented By PC David Rathband and Kath Rathband | Nominated |
| 2012 | RCS Programmer Of The Year | Chris Pegg (Programme Director) | Nominated |
IRN News Awards
| Year | Award | Entry | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Young Journalist of the Year | Simon Conway | Nominated |
| 2011 | Newsreader of the Year | Joel Goldman | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Newsteam / Newsroom | Newsteam | Nominated |
| 2012 | 'And Finally' | The Princess and the Pea......Fritter | Runner-up |
Sony Radio Academy Awards
| Year | Award | Entry | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Best live event coverage | Alan Shearer Testimonial Coverage | Gold |
| 2011 | Best breaking news coverage | Manhunt - The Raoul Moat Story - Metro Radio News | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best live event coverage | Great North Run Coverage | Silver |
| 2012 | Speech Radio Personality of the Year | Alan Robson | Nominated |
| 2012 | News Journalist of the Year | Metro Radio News Team | Nominated |
Production
The majority of programming is presented and produced locally from Metro Radio studios, based in Newcastle.
Metro Radio produced Saturday Night Party is syndicated on sister stations CFM Radio and TFM Radio. In:Demand and the overnight programmes are produced from Key 103 in Manchester. The Vodafone Big Top 40 is produced by Global Radio at Leicester Square, London for broadcast on over 130 commercial radio stations across the UK.
On 19 September 2011, the station changed its name to Radio Gaga, as part of a station promotion. Over the following two weeks, listeners had to spot the daily Gaga stunt and text to win a £500 prize.[3] This saw a special edition of In:Demand produced for Metro Radio based upon Lady Gaga.
Programming
On 14 July 2011, breakfast presenter Tony Horne left the station, prior to his contract ending.[4] Steve Furnell and Karen Wight formerly of rival station Capital North East are to replace Horne in June 2012.[5]
Current presenters at the station include:[6]
Local presenters
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Networked presenters
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News team
Metro Radio has broadcast journalists based at their headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne. News bulletins are produced and broadcast on the hour between 06:00 until 18:00 weekdays and 08:00 until 12:00 weekends. Overnight bulletins are outsourced from Sky News Radio in London.
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Former presenters
Information in brackets shows where they are now.
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Charity
The official charity of both Metro Radio and its sister station Magic 1152 is Cash for Kids. The station organise events to raise money for this charity, for example an evening with Jason Donovan and a "cooks fun run".
References
- ^ Metro Radio Media UK
- ^ Quarterly Listening RAJAR
- ^ Metro Radio goes Gaga for promotion Radio Today, 21 September 2011
- ^ a b Tony Horne exits Metro Radio breakfast, RadioToday, 14 July 2011
- ^ Capital breakfast team join Metro, Radio Today, 25 September 2011
- ^ On Air - Station Schedule Metro Radio
- ^ a b Schedule changes at Metro Radio Radio Today, 5 January 2010
- ^ a b Rich and Kat The Vodafone Big Top 40
- ^ Alex James In:Demand
- ^ a b JK and Lucy join Heart Solent Radio Today, 16 January 2012
- ^ McKenzie Media
- ^ Tony Horne back on air in NW with UTV Radio Today, January 2012
- ^ Bauer’s Michelle Dignan joins 5 live Radio Today, 2 November 2011
External links
- Metro Radio
- Metro Radio on Twitter
- Metro Radio - Cash for Kids
- History of the Radio Station
- Burnhope transmitter
- Fenham transmitter
- Newton transmitter
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