Metro Radio
Metro Radio is an Independent Local Radio station owned and operated by Bauer as part of the Hits Radio network. It broadcasts to Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.
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City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
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Broadcast area | |
Frequency |
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Branding | YOUR Metro Radio |
Slogan | The Biggest Hits, The Biggest Throwbacks |
Programming | |
Format | CHR/Pop |
Network | Hits Radio |
Ownership | |
Owner | Bauer |
Sister stations | Greatest Hits Radio North East TFM |
History | |
First air date | 15 July 1974 |
Links | |
Webcast | Planet Radio |
Website | planetradio![]() |
The station's regional programming is simulcast with sister station TFM.
History
![](../I/m/Metro_Radio_2013_Logo.png)
Launch
The Newcastle-based station, broadcasting to north-east England, launched on 15 July 1974.[1] 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.
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.[2] 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).[3]
Programming
Networked programming originates from Bauer's Manchester headquarters.[4][5]
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.[6]
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.[7] It now airs weekly on GHR North East and GHR Teesside.
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
- Wayne Allen
- Rich Clarke (Heart South)
- Mark Goodier (Greatest Hits Radio)
- Gabby Logan
- Pete Graves (Sky Sports News)
- Lucy Horobin (Heart Dance)
- Dave Kelly (Radio City)
- Jason King (Heart London)
- Jonathan Morrell (BBC Newcastle)
- Jenny Powell
- Alan Robson (Greatest Hits Radio)
- Joel Ross
- Bill Steel
- Philippa Tomson (Good Morning Britain)
- Clive Warren
- James Whale (talkRADIO)
Awards and nominations
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 | Silver |
2013 | Best Speech Programme | Alan Robson's Nightowls | Bronze |
2013 | Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million) | Steve and Karen's Breakfast Show | Silver |
2013 | Station of the Year (1 Million plus) | Metro Radio | Gold |
2014 | Speech Radio Personality of the Year | Alan Robson | Silver |
2014 | Best Coverage of a Live Event | Great North Run 2013 | Silver |
2014 | Station of the Year (1 Million plus) | Metro Radio | Nominated |
References
- 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
- Hits Radio Network stations drop local weekend programmes, Radio Today, 30 May 2019
- Bauer to network drivetime across 11 licences in North and Midlands, Radio Today, 5 August 2019
- Metro Radio - Public File
- Night Owls on Metro Radio to end, Sonia Sharma, The Chronicle, 14 June 2019