Metro Radio

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(Redirected from Nightowls)

Metro Radio
Broadcast area	Tyne and Wear, County Durham & Northumberland
Frequency	103.2 MHz, 102.6 MHz, 103.0 MHz, 97.1 MHz
First air date	July 15, 1974
Format	Contemporary
Audience share	12.3% (September 2007, [1])
Owner	EMAP

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 EMAP and is part of their Big City Network of stations.

1 History
2 Present
3 NightOwls show
4 External links

Launched on the July 15 1974, Metro Radio broadcasts on four frequencies to a potential audience of 1.4million.

The station originally transmitted from a studio in Swalwell, Gateshead, which, in later years, would be adjacent to the MetroCentre. In 2005 it moved to the former BT building, previously known as Swan House, now known as 55° (Degrees) North, 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 Metro's 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 NightOwls show on the station between 1974 and 1980

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 broadcasts on analogue frequencies 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

Current presenters and shows include;

Tony Horne
Anna Foster
Marc Henry
Mark Thorburn
Brian Moore
Wayne Tunncliffe (Wayne or Wayne Allen)
In Demand with Rich & Luce (Emap Simulcast Show which launched in April 2007)
Alan Robson
Stu Smith
Nick Jordan

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.

Past presenters include;

Rod Lucas
James Whale
Andy Grahmme
Stuart St Paul
Paddy McDee
John Coulson
Marc Paul
Dave Burrows
Steve King
Steve Colman
David Prever
Clive Warren
Steve Randall
Rick Dees (syndicated coverage of the US Top 40)
Jenny Powell
Alex Roland
Russ Williams
Jonathan Morrell
Andrew Gascoigne
Lisa Shaw
Graham Courtney (sports)
Charles Harrison (sports)
Guy Mowbray (sports)
Andrew Dalby (sports)
Simon Crabtree (sports - now at Century FM)
Pete Graves (sports - now at Century FM)

See http://www.northeastradio.co.uk

NightOwls is Britain's most listened, 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 NightOwls show for a short period, before Alan Robson began presenting in 1983.

NightOwls is available as an Internet broadcast and on two FM radio stations in England 5 days per week.

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]}