BBC Radio Newcastle
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.
 | |
| City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | |
| Frequency |
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| Slogan | The sound of the North East, and all the music you love |
| 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 | 54.8691°N 1.7712°W |
| Repeater(s) |
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| Links | |
| Webcast | BBC Sounds |
| Website | www |
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.
In January 2021, BBC Radio Sunderland launched as a temporary spin-off station to BBC Radio Newcastle. It opts out to provide local programming from 0600 to 1400 hours each weekday, simulcasting with BBC Radio Newcastle for the rest of the week.[2]
Notable former presenters
References
- "RAJAR". RAJAR. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "A new temporary BBC radio station for Sunderland launches on Monday 18th January 2021 | Help receiving TV and radio". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2021.