39-630: Hits Radio Teesside , formerly TFM , is an Independent Local Radio station for Teesside , England, based in Newcastle upon Tyne . The station is owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK as part of the Hits Radio network. It broadcasts to areas of County Durham and North Yorkshire . As of September 2024, the station has a weekly audience of 136,000 listeners according to RAJAR . Radio Tees opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday 24 June 1975, broadcasting on 257 metres medium wave (1,169kHz) from
78-468: A Post Office licence. Manx Radio is funded by a mixture of commercial advertising and a yearly £860,000 Manx Government subvention. Sky News Radio Sky News Radio is the radio arm of Sky News , owned by Sky UK . It has been operating since June 1999, providing a news bulletin service for UK commercial radio stations operators across the UK and for a number of English-speaking radio stations around
117-412: A few months during 1985, Radio Tees had its own light aircraft for traffic, named Flying Eye , kept at Teesside Airport , from which Graham Robb reported on traffic conditions and which featured daily on John Simons' breakfast show. Some former Radio Tees/TFM Radio presenters have gone on to work in the UK national media. These include Mark Page , who briefly worked as a presenter for BBC Radio 1 in
156-491: A result of the relaunch. Regional programming ( Steve & Karen's Breakfast Show ) airs weekdays from Bauer’s Newcastle studios. At all other times networked programming airs via Bauer’s London headquarters or studios in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. 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
195-599: A week took place, although the first experimental part-time split service had taken place two years earlier when Radio Forth created Festival City Radio for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival . The first station to permanently split their frequencies was Guildford's County Sound who rebranded the FM output as Premier Radio and turned the AM output into a new golden oldies station, County Sound Gold in 1988. By 1988,
234-552: A weekday regional programme and localised news, weather and peak-time travel information. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland . Until the early 1970s, the BBC had a legal monopoly on radio broadcasting in the UK. Despite competition from the commercial Radio Luxembourg and, for a period in the mid-1960s, the off-shore " pirate " broadcasters, it had remained the policy of both major political parties that radio
273-558: A year – and to reduce the criteria for a "viable service area" with the introduction of Small Scale Local Licences (SALLIES) for villages, special interest groups and small communities. By this time the medium wave band had become unpopular with radio groups and the majority of new stations were awarded an FM licence only, even when an AM licence was jointly available. In 1994 the Radio Authority introduced regional stations (Independent Regional Radio, again usually grouped under
312-533: Is broadcast every Saturday at 17:10. Many community, student and hospital radio stations around the UK take the hourly bulletin service. Copy and audio cuts are also used by BFBS Radio, in addition to radio stations in the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Cyprus, UAE, South Africa and Australia. In 2001, BSkyB proposed to become a partner in DAB news station DNN . This deal fell through, although Sky News Radio did become
351-511: Is in the areas of news and sport that Radio Tees has given well-known figures in the UK broadcasting industry their break, including Jeff Stelling , a Sky Sports presenter until 2023, Helen Boaden , who went on to become Director of BBC News, and Mark Mardell , who went on to become BBC News' Europe Editor and North America Editor. 54°33′32″N 1°18′19″W / 54.55889°N 1.30528°W / 54.55889; -1.30528 Independent Local Radio Independent Local Radio
390-770: Is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. As a result of the buyouts and mergers permitted by the Broadcasting Act 1990 , and deregulation resulting from the Communications Act 2003 , most commercial stations are now neither independent (although they remain independent from the BBC ) nor local with all of the frequencies now used by Bauer or Global , and almost all of them are now relays of one of either company's national brands, with all remaining locality reduced to
429-504: The 1980s and Alex Lester , who presented the 3–6 a.m. show on BBC Radio 2 from 1990 to 2016, and then in 2020, joined Greatest Hits Radio where he's currently presenting overnights from 1:00am-6:00am. The late Alastair Pirrie , 'The Big P on the Big T' – host of afternoon show Pirrie PM , which was part of the opening day's schedule – went on to host cult Tyne Tees TV children's pop show Razzamatazz between 1981 and 1987. It
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#1732790606197468-665: The IBA's ILR plans as it was felt that they were not viable. This did not prevent Radio West in Bristol getting into financial trouble and having to merge with Wiltshire Radio on 1 October 1985; nor did it prevent Centre Radio going into receivership on 6 October 1983. In 1986 the Home Office sanctioned in principle the idea that different services could be broadcast on each station's FM and AM frequency and six experiments of split programming on Independent Local Radio of up to ten hours
507-485: The IBA's time as the regulator and did not receive a commercial station until after its successor, The Radio Authority, came into being in 1991. In the late 1980s, the expansion of ILR continued at a similar rate. Under the Broadcasting Acts, the IBA had a duty to ensure that any area it licensed for radio could support a station with the available advertising revenue. Therefore, many areas were not included in
546-514: The TFM area. Despite the merger, RAJAR reported an increase in weekly listener reach for TFM during the second quarter of 2013. On 10 January 2024, station owners Bauer announced TFM would be rebranded as Hits Radio Teesside from April 2024, as part of a network-wide relaunch involving 17 local radio stations in England and Wales. The station's local news and regional output will not be affected as
585-662: The TFM branding was retained along with separate news bulletins and advertising. The two stations were able to merge without consultation because both the TFM and Metro licence areas are located in one OFCOM-approved broadcast area ( North East England ). The TFM studios in Thornaby were closed and remaining staff were moved to Newcastle. Most on-air staff were made redundant, including breakfast presenters Wayne Tunnicliffe and Amy McConnell, due to them replaced by Metro Radio counterparts Steve Furnell and Karen Wight, although two journalists continued to be based locally for news-gathering in
624-661: The United Kingdom. This service would be planned and regulated in a similar manner to the existing ITV service and would compete with the recently developed BBC Local Radio services (rather than the four national BBC services). The Sound Broadcasting Act received royal assent on 12 July 1972 and the Independent Television Authority (ITA) accordingly changed its name to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) that same day. The IBA immediately began to plan
663-742: The banner "ILR" by most commentators) and began to license the commercial Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) multiplexes in October 1998. The Radio Authority was replaced by the Office of Communications ( Ofcom ) in 2004, which also replaced the ITC, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Radio Communications Agency and the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel). Ofcom has stated that they plan to continue
702-521: The brand. Shortly after this, in April 1989, its 257 metres/1170 kHz medium wave frequency was split and this became Great North Radio (GNR). This was launched after broadcasting rules meant TFM could not broadcast on both FM and medium wave. In 1992, TFM vacated its old Dovecot Street studios and moved to new, purpose-built studios in Thornaby-on-Tees . In 1995 Metropolitan Broadcasting
741-555: The broadcasting field (mainly due to the Annan Report ), no further contracts were awarded until 1980, when a second tranche of contracts were awarded. All stations were awarded an AM and an FM frequency, on which they broadcast the same service. In July 1981, the Home Secretary approved proposals for the creation of Independent Local Radio services in 25 more areas. However some of these areas were not licensed during
780-553: The converted Water Board buildings at 74 Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees . The first presenter on air was breakfast show host Les Ross and the first record played was " Everything's Tuesday " by Chairmen of the Board . By the autumn of that year, Radio Tees was also broadcasting on 95 VHF - the first local radio station in the area to broadcast on FM. By the mid-1980s Radio Tees found itself in financial difficulties, and in 1986, its parent company, Sound Broadcasting (Teesside) Ltd,
819-850: The development of Independent Local Radio, with an emphasis on digital broadcasting, and to "ensure the character" of local stations, following the mergers and loss of local identities that followed the 1990 Act. In 2005, there were 217 licensed analogue ILR and IRR services in England; 16 in Wales; 34 in Scotland; eight in Northern Ireland; and two in the Channel Islands . These are licences rather than franchises . Some licences are grouped nationally, regionally or by format to provide one service; other licences cover two or more services. There were three national analogue services. There
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#1732790606197858-524: The final stations ending waveband simulcasting by the mid-1990s. Incremental Radio was a new type of radio licence given out by the IBA between 1989 and 1990. These were additional radio services introduced into areas already served by an Independent Local Radio station and most had to offer output not already available on ILR, such as specialist music, programmes for a specific section of the community or for smaller areas than ILR stations cover. 22 stations went on air, most of which were eventually acquired by
897-438: The government had decided that the practice of splitting was beneficial and a quick way to increase choice for listeners. The IBA then began encouraging ILR stations to split their services and most soon complied. The usual format was to have a "gold" (oldies) service on AM and pop music on FM, although Radio City tried "City Talk" on AM before abandoning the format. By the start of the 1990s, most stations had done 'the splits' with
936-586: 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. Marketing itself as 'A Friend Who's Always Near' and 'The Sound of Home', Radio Tees offered unique and distinctive local output with a wide variety of programming and an emphasis on community involvement. Many of its presenters, such as Alastair Pirrie , Mark Page, John Simons , Mark Matthews and Graham Robb, derive from
975-610: The hourly news bulletins and live sports reports. IRN2 transmits press conferences and live events. IRN1 is also broadcast on an audio channel on the Astra 2B satellite. In the event of a major news story (e.g., royal death or major terrorist incident), audio from Sky News television will be relayed on IRN1 and IRN2 with additional one-minute bulletins on the half-hour. IRN supplies match reports from every Premier League match, with reporters supplied by sports radio agency World Sports Communications . A classified football results check
1014-517: The large radio groups and absorbed into their networks. As of 2024 only a few remain independently owned and operated. The regulatory model these stations were under was a precursor to commercial radio stations licensed by the incoming Radio Authority. The Broadcasting Act 1990 provided for the abolition of the IBA and its replacement by the Independent Television Commission . The IBA continued to regulate radio under
1053-443: The local area. Alongside specialist soul, blues and country music shows, Radio Tees programmes included the hi-fi show Sounds Superb , the motoring show Sidelight and the holiday show Trains and Boats and Planes in which Radio Tees presenters would travel to destinations around the world and record reports interviewing local people and giving tourist advice and information. Radio Tees also met and interviewed artists over
1092-525: The main national news supplier to DNN. The station closed in July 2006 and was replaced on the MXR multiplexes by London speech station LBC . In March 2007, BSkyB and Chrysalis Radio announced a new joint partnership to launch a dedicated Sky News Radio station on the proposed bid by Channel 4 's 4 Digital Group for the second UK DAB multiplex. Chrysalis's existing London rolling news station, LBC News 1152 ,
1131-741: The new name of the Radio Authority, but with a different remit. As a "light-touch" regulator (although heavier than the ITC), the Radio Authority was to issue licences to the highest bidder and promote the development of commercial radio choice. This led to the awarding of three national contracts, known as Independent National Radio to Classic FM , Virgin 1215 (later Virgin Radio and then rebranded Absolute Radio ) and Talk Radio (later Talksport ). The Radio Authority also began to license Restricted Service Licence (RSL) stations – low-power temporary radio stations for special events, operating for up to 28 days
1170-720: The new service, placing advertisements encouraging interested groups to apply for medium-term contracts to provide programmes in given areas. The first major areas to be advertised were London and Glasgow , with two contracts available in London, one for "news and information", one for "general and entertainment". The London news contract was awarded to London Broadcasting Company (LBC) and they began broadcasting on 8 October 1973. The London general contract went to Capital Radio , who began broadcasting on 16 October 1973. In total, 19 contracts were awarded between 1973 and 1976. Due to government limits on capital expenditure and turbulence in
1209-836: The proprietor of 'The Balloon and Feather' pub. Around the time of Late On , the station briefly experimented with over-the-air software downloads for popular home computers of the time, usually broadcasting them after Robb's show finished at 1am. Radio Tees reported at local events, broadcasting from the Cleveland and Darlington Shows, the Teesside Air Show and the Teesside Steel Family Gala. The station often organized its own outside broadcast events as well, many of which took place in John Walker Square, off Stockton-on-Tees High Street. For
Hits Radio Teesside - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-911: The world. Sky News Radio is also responsible for producing a number of podcasts, including the Sky News Daily, which is regularly hosted by Nial Patterson and Ian King live. Sky News Radio also produce a news service for smart speakers including Amazon Alexa. Sky News Radio launched in June 1999 originally providing bespoke bulletins for Talk Radio UK . The service subsequently expanded in October 2001 to provide hourly news bulletins, audio and scripts for clients including UTV Radio , GMG Radio , Global Radio and DNN . The radio newsroom operated from Sky News ' studios at Osterley, London. Adverts following peak-time news bulletins were sold via UBC Media and reached more than eighty radio stations. On 15 October 2008, Independent Radio News (IRN) announced it
1287-513: The years both in mainstream and specialist music genres including soul music legend Bobby Womack interviewed in 1985 by the then Nightlife show presenter, Mike Prior. A notable programme from the Radio Tees era was Late On , presented by Graham Robb, which ran from 10 pm to 1 am every weekday evening in 1984. The show featured characters such as Rita the cleaner, Mad Tom the handyman, Ginger Johnson (ex- RAF ) and Superstar Cecil,
1326-547: Was bought by Metropolitan Broadcasting (or the Metro Radio Group as it was known, for it owned Metro Radio in Newcastle upon Tyne ). In November, that year Radio Tees moved its FM frequency to 96.6 in a direct swap with BBC Radio Cleveland (currently known as BBC Radio Tees ). In January 1988, thirteen years after launch, Radio Tees was rebranded to TFM 96.60 after being taken over by Newcastle upon Tyne-based Metro Radio Group. This relaunch also helped modernise
1365-486: Was one national DAB multiplex (Digital One) and 47 regional DAB multiplexes, owned by 10 and operated by nine companies (each multiplex carrying multiple services). The first licensed commercial radio station in the United Kingdom is often stated to be Manx Radio , which launched in June 1964. However, since the Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom, Manx Radio is not considered to be an ILR station and launched with
1404-545: Was reduced from three minutes to two minutes, and the previous IRN 90 overnight and weekend bulletin service was dropped. Audio cuts are distributed to stations via FTP from the IRN website. Stations can also source their own audio cuts from Sky News and Sky Sports News television. The solus Newslink advertising spots are managed by Global Radio . IRN operates two audio channels on the Eutelsat 9B satellite: IRN1 transmits
1443-454: Was switching its main supplier of news from ITN to Sky News Radio, expanding its customer client list by more than 280 stations and giving it a near-monopoly in UK commercial radio news provision. The new IRN service from Sky News Radio began at 14:00 on Tuesday 3 March 2009, with the first bulletin read by Ursula Hansford and simulcast on the Sky News television channel. Bulletin duration
1482-600: Was taken over by EMAP ; 'TFM' was renamed '96.6 TFM' and brought into EMAP's north of England Independent Local Radio Big City Network . In July 2007, 96.6 TFM was rebranded TFM Radio and re-adopted the slogan 'Today's Favourite Music' which had first been used in the late 1990s. In 2008, EMAP plc was bought by Bauer Media, a privately owned German-based family business, with the radio group being renamed Bauer Place . On Monday 8 April 2013, all programming began to be shared with sister station Metro Radio in Newcastle although
1521-428: Was to remain under the BBC. Upon the election of Edward Heath 's government in 1970, this policy changed. It is possible that Heath's victory was partly due to younger voters upset by the UK government closing down the popular pirate radio stations. The new Minister of Post and Telecommunications and former ITN newscaster, Christopher Chataway , announced a bill to allow for the introduction of commercial radio in
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