100-102 Century FM
Encyclopedia
Real Radio North East is a radio station
in north east England
owned by GMG Radio
. It is based in Team Valley
, Gateshead
, and broadcasts to north east England.
The station was launched in 1994 as Century Radio, the first station in Border Radio Holding
's Century Network. The station was taken over by Capital Radio Group, and then by GCap Media
in 2005. GMG Radio
acquired the Century stations in 2006, rebranding them in 2009 to conform to the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio
network.
, it was also the first to use the Century brand, which followed a 'personality' format, mixing speech and music. The station was originally based beside the Tyne Bridge
in Gateshead
, before relocating to Team Valley
in 2008 to share a building with GMG stations Smooth Radio and Rock Radio
. The station was originally called Century Radio, before changing its name to 'Century FM and finally reverting to the original moniker in 2008.
The station was set up by Border Television
, with John Myers as managing director and John Simons
as programme director. Myers presented the breakfast show under the pseudonym
of John Morgan. The first song played on air was "A Star is Born" (also used to launch the North West's Century FM
).
A 'listener's club' was formed, with parties at locations around the region attended by the station's presenters. The Jingling Gate in Stanley, County Durham
was the most common location, but other events were held at the Stadium of Light
and the Dolphin Centre in Darlington
.
Late-night phone-in presenter Mike 'The Mouth' Elliott once caused controversy by walking out during his show. Elliot took an extended break after this controversy, during which time he appeared in the film Billy Elliot
as boxing coach George Watson. He was also fired in January 2000 when bosses claimed that he was intoxicated on air. However, Elliott claims that he was "stoned out of his tree" on Benylin
while trying to fight off a heavy cold. He was reemployed when Capital Radio took over the station.
Ex-Metro Radio
presenter Steve Colman's highly marketed introduction to the breakfast show was very unpopular, and he was sacked after just three weeks in August 1996. It was revealed that audiences had decreased rapidly, and businesses had threatened to pull their advertising. Colman is now at Magic 1152
presenting the weekday breakfast show and a '60s show on Sundays.
Jeff Stephenson replaced Myers as Managing Director, and John Caine replaced Simons. Simons left the station for talkSPORT
, and Myers left Gateshead to concentrate on setting up 105.4 Century FM
in Salford
and relaunching 106 Century FM in Nottingham
.
Border sold the Century brand to GCap Media
, and Myers left the group to head GMG Radio
, where he set up the similar Real Radio
network. Simons rejoined Myers to establish the Real and Smooth FM
regional stations. In October 2006 GMG Radio acquired the Century brand from GCap.http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.1434.2 Paul Smith
, a former BBC and commercial radio producer, then joined Century as Programme Controller, and Sales Director Debbie Bowman was promoted to Managing Director. Smith left the company after the current Programme Director Kevin Howard joined the company in Sept 2007.
On 18 December 2008 it was announced that Century Radio was to be re-branded as Real Radio
on 30 March 2009.
, a passion in the north east, and has a particularly close relationship with Newcastle United
and Middlesbrough F.C.
. Two famous ex-players for local sides, Malcolm Macdonald
, who played for Newcastle United and Bernie Slaven
, who played for Middlesbrough
are employed on the "Legends Football Phone-In". Eric Gates
, who played for Sunderland
was the third "Legend", but has not been heard on the show since reports surfaced in local newspapers that he had signed for rival station BBC Radio Newcastle
. He has recently been replaced by FA Cup Final 1973
winner Micky Horswill.
Live match commentaries on Newcastle United and Sunderland matches aired until the end of the 2010-11 season.
, Gateshead
. Networked output is broadcast from 105.4 Real Radio based in Manchester. The Vodafone Big Top 40 is a networked chart show and is produced by Global Radio
at their Capital studios in Leicester Square
, London
. On Air with Ryan Seacrest
is a syndicated production produced at KIIS-FM
in Los Angeles.
Editor
Myles Ashby
Broadcast Journalists
Paul Anderson
Anna Collinson
Sarah Dobson
Dan Entwisle
Trina O'Driscoll
NB: Real Radio 105.4 in Manchester provide opt-in bulletins during the evening, and between 0200-0500 all news bulletins are produced by Sky News Radio
in London; for all Smooth Radio and Real Radio
stations in England.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in north east England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
owned by GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
. It is based in Team Valley
Team Valley
Team Valley is a traditionally heavily industrial area of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. More recently it has become home to the 'Retail World' retail park, which makes up just a small percentage of the entirety of the Team Valley Trading Estate...
, Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, and broadcasts to north east England.
The station was launched in 1994 as Century Radio, the first station in Border Radio Holding
Border Television
Border Television is the ITV franchise holder for the Border region, spanning the England/Scotland border and covering Dumfries & Galloway region, a small part of the south-west area of Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, parts of north and west Northumberland and the majority of Cumbria...
's Century Network. The station was taken over by Capital Radio Group, and then by GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
in 2005. GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
acquired the Century stations in 2006, rebranding them in 2009 to conform to the branding and network programming of the other stations in the Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
network.
History
Conceived as the second regional station for North East EnglandNorth East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
, it was also the first to use the Century brand, which followed a 'personality' format, mixing speech and music. The station was originally based beside the Tyne Bridge
Tyne Bridge
The Tyne Bridge is a through arch bridge over the River Tyne in North East England, linking Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. It was designed by the engineering firm Mott, Hay and Anderson, who later designed the Forth Road Bridge, and was built by Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough. At the time...
in Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, before relocating to Team Valley
Team Valley
Team Valley is a traditionally heavily industrial area of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. More recently it has become home to the 'Retail World' retail park, which makes up just a small percentage of the entirety of the Team Valley Trading Estate...
in 2008 to share a building with GMG stations Smooth Radio and Rock Radio
Rock Radio
Rock Radio is a brand of radio stations in the United Kingdom owned by GMG Radio.96.3 Rock Radio was the first station in the network. It operates in West Central Scotland...
. The station was originally called Century Radio, before changing its name to 'Century FM and finally reverting to the original moniker in 2008.
The station was set up by Border Television
Border Television
Border Television is the ITV franchise holder for the Border region, spanning the England/Scotland border and covering Dumfries & Galloway region, a small part of the south-west area of Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders, parts of north and west Northumberland and the majority of Cumbria...
, with John Myers as managing director and John Simons
John Simons
John Simons is a British radio executive, the current group programming director for GMG Radio.Simons began his career in 1979, before fronting the Breakfast Show on Radio Tees from 1983 to 1985 , and moving to BBC Radio Nottingham.In 1994 he was invited to be part of the team who launched Century...
as programme director. Myers presented the breakfast show under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of John Morgan. The first song played on air was "A Star is Born" (also used to launch the North West's Century FM
105.4 Century FM
105.4 Real Radio is an independent local radio station controlled by GMG Radio. It is the flagship station of the Real Radio network and has a regional license to broadcast to North West England. The station was part of the Century Network for over ten years until it was rebranded in 2009.The...
).
A 'listener's club' was formed, with parties at locations around the region attended by the station's presenters. The Jingling Gate in Stanley, County Durham
Stanley, County Durham
Stanley is a former colliery town and civil parish in County Durham, England. Centred on a hilltop between Chester-le-Street and Consett, the town lies south west of Gateshead....
was the most common location, but other events were held at the Stadium of Light
Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light has the fifth-largest capacity of any English football stadium. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. matches...
and the Dolphin Centre in Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
.
Late-night phone-in presenter Mike 'The Mouth' Elliott once caused controversy by walking out during his show. Elliot took an extended break after this controversy, during which time he appeared in the film Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in the fictional town of "Everington" in the real County Durham, UK, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer, Gary Lewis as his coal miner father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older...
as boxing coach George Watson. He was also fired in January 2000 when bosses claimed that he was intoxicated on air. However, Elliott claims that he was "stoned out of his tree" on Benylin
Benylin
Benylin is a brand name owned by Johnson & Johnson for a range of cough, cold and flu medications. The flagship cough syrup and cold care brand is marketed in several countries as Benylin DM, for its active ingredient, dextromethorphan...
while trying to fight off a heavy cold. He was reemployed when Capital Radio took over the station.
Ex-Metro Radio
Metro Radio
Metro Radio is an independent local radio station based in Newcastle upon Tyne and broadcasting to Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland. The station's output is principally contemporary pop and dance music...
presenter Steve Colman's highly marketed introduction to the breakfast show was very unpopular, and he was sacked after just three weeks in August 1996. It was revealed that audiences had decreased rapidly, and businesses had threatened to pull their advertising. Colman is now at Magic 1152
Magic 1152
Magic 1152 is the name of an Independent Local Radio station in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. It forms part of the Magic network owned by Bauer Radio. It shares a studio complex with sister station Metro Radio at the 55 Degrees North complex, next to the Tyne Bridge...
presenting the weekday breakfast show and a '60s show on Sundays.
Jeff Stephenson replaced Myers as Managing Director, and John Caine replaced Simons. Simons left the station for talkSPORT
TalkSPORT
Talksport , owned by UTV radio, is one of the United Kingdom's three terrestrial analogue Independent National Radio broadcasters, offering a sports and talk radio service broadcast from London to the United Kingdom....
, and Myers left Gateshead to concentrate on setting up 105.4 Century FM
105.4 Century FM
105.4 Real Radio is an independent local radio station controlled by GMG Radio. It is the flagship station of the Real Radio network and has a regional license to broadcast to North West England. The station was part of the Century Network for over ten years until it was rebranded in 2009.The...
in Salford
City of Salford
The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton-Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam which apart from Irlam each have a population of over...
and relaunching 106 Century FM in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
Border sold the Century brand to GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
, and Myers left the group to head GMG Radio
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
, where he set up the similar Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
network. Simons rejoined Myers to establish the Real and Smooth FM
Smooth FM
Smooth Radio is an Independent National Radio station in the United Kingdom owned by GMG Radio. It broadcasts on the DAB Digital Radio Digital 1 national multiplex and on Sky, Freesat, Freeview, Virgin Media and online as well as regional FM and DAB frequencies in the North West, London, North...
regional stations. In October 2006 GMG Radio acquired the Century brand from GCap.http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.1434.2 Paul Smith
Paul Smith (blogger)
Paul Smith is a British blogger, writer and former radio executive. An advocate of social media, Smith coined the phrase "twitchhiking" in February 2009 when he travelled around the world using the social media network Twitter.-Radio career:...
, a former BBC and commercial radio producer, then joined Century as Programme Controller, and Sales Director Debbie Bowman was promoted to Managing Director. Smith left the company after the current Programme Director Kevin Howard joined the company in Sept 2007.
On 18 December 2008 it was announced that Century Radio was to be re-branded as Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
on 30 March 2009.
Football coverage
The station broadcasts extensively on footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, a passion in the north east, and has a particularly close relationship with Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. Two famous ex-players for local sides, Malcolm Macdonald
Malcolm Macdonald
Malcolm Ian Macdonald is a former English footballer nicknamed Supermac, famed for scoring goals for Luton Town, Newcastle United and Arsenal.-Football career:...
, who played for Newcastle United and Bernie Slaven
Bernie Slaven
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Slaven is a Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international footballer. A striker, with 162 goals in 423 league games, in a 12 year career, he also earned seven caps for the Republic of Ireland....
, who played for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
are employed on the "Legends Football Phone-In". Eric Gates
Eric Gates
Eric Lazenby Gates is an English former football player born on 28 June 1955 in Ferryhill, County Durham. He was a striker.He started 345 times for Ipswich Town with another 39 appearances as a substitute, under Bobby Robson, scoring 96 goals and winning the UEFA cup in 1981 and FA Cup in 1978 ; ...
, who played for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
was the third "Legend", but has not been heard on the show since reports surfaced in local newspapers that he had signed for rival station BBC Radio Newcastle
BBC Radio Newcastle
BBC Newcastle is the BBC Local Radio service English metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, broadcasting from studios on Barrack Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.- Technical :...
. He has recently been replaced by FA Cup Final 1973
FA Cup Final 1973
The 1973 FA Cup Final took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium. It was the 92nd final and the 45th to be played at Wembley, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary year. The final was contested between the previous season's winners Leeds United, who were one of the dominant teams at the time,...
winner Micky Horswill.
Live match commentaries on Newcastle United and Sunderland matches aired until the end of the 2010-11 season.
Programming
Local presenters broadcast from Real Radio North East's main studios are based in Team ValleyTeam Valley
Team Valley is a traditionally heavily industrial area of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. More recently it has become home to the 'Retail World' retail park, which makes up just a small percentage of the entirety of the Team Valley Trading Estate...
, Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
. Networked output is broadcast from 105.4 Real Radio based in Manchester. The Vodafone Big Top 40 is a networked chart show and is produced by Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
at their Capital studios in Leicester Square
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. The Square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; Charing Cross Road, to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. On Air with Ryan Seacrest
On Air with Ryan Seacrest (radio)
On Air with Ryan Seacrest is the name of an American syndicated radio program hosted by Ryan Seacrest. As of 2010, the daily morning radio show airs on Los Angeles top 40 station KIIS-FM and was launched at the same time as the television show with the same name, although Seacrest had hosted a...
is a syndicated production produced at KIIS-FM
KIIS-FM
KIIS-FM is a Los Angeles, California, USA-based radio station with a partial Top 40 musical format. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications. KIIS is also simulcasted on KVVS in Rosamond, at 105.5 MHz...
in Los Angeles.
Real News team
Real Radio North East has their own dedicated team of broadcast journalists and newsreaders:Editor
Myles Ashby
Broadcast Journalists
Paul Anderson
Anna Collinson
Sarah Dobson
Dan Entwisle
Trina O'Driscoll
NB: Real Radio 105.4 in Manchester provide opt-in bulletins during the evening, and between 0200-0500 all news bulletins are produced by Sky News Radio
Sky News Radio
Sky News Radio is the radio arm of the Sky News division of British Sky Broadcasting. 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 across the world.The Sky News...
in London; for all Smooth Radio and Real Radio
Real Radio
Real Radio is a network of adult contemporary independent local radio stations in England, Scotland and Wales and is operated by . Each station broadcasts local breakfast through to drive time shows and network programming in the evening and through the night...
stations in England.
Local presenters
- Peter Bould (The Legends Football Phone In, Saturday afternoons)
- Sarah Graham (Weekday mornings/lunchtime, Sunday mornings)
- Phil Holmes (Weekend breakfast)
- Micky Horswill (The Legends Football Phone In, Saturday afternoons)
- Malcolm MacdonaldMalcolm MacdonaldMalcolm Ian Macdonald is a former English footballer nicknamed Supermac, famed for scoring goals for Luton Town, Newcastle United and Arsenal.-Football career:...
(The Legends Football Phone In, Saturday afternoons) - Gary Philipson (Weekday breakfast)
- Kelly Scott (Sunday afternoons)
- Lisa Shaw (Weekday breakfast)
- Bernie SlavenBernie SlavenBernard Joseph "Bernie" Slaven is a Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international footballer. A striker, with 162 goals in 423 league games, in a 12 year career, he also earned seven caps for the Republic of Ireland....
(The Legends Football Phone In) - Ben Weston (Home Time, Saturday mornings/lunchtime)
Networked/syndicated presenters
- Richard ClarkeRichard Clarke (radio personality)Richard "Rich" Clarke is a British radio presenter and DJ from Worcester, England currently employed by Global Radio as a presenter on Capital FM and The Vodafone Big Top 40.-Student radio:...
(The Vodafone Big Top 40) - David Heane (Monday - Thursday evenings, High School Days)
- Marc Henry (Sunday evenings, All Request Nightshift)
- Oli Kemp (All Request Nightshift)
- Jo Lloyd (All Request Nightshift)
- Debbie Mac (Real Club Classics)
- Ryan SeacrestRyan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
(On Air with Ryan SeacrestOn Air with Ryan Seacrest (radio)On Air with Ryan Seacrest is the name of an American syndicated radio program hosted by Ryan Seacrest. As of 2010, the daily morning radio show airs on Los Angeles top 40 station KIIS-FM and was launched at the same time as the television show with the same name, although Seacrest had hosted a...
) - Kat ShoobKat ShoobKatherine 'Kat' Shoob is a British radio presenter on The Vodafone Big Top 40.Shoob modelled for Maxim in September 2006.Shoob presented The Mint, a phone-in quiz that was shown on ITV1 and ITV2...
(The Vodafone Big Top 40) - Elliot Webb (All Request Nightshift)
Past presenters
- Wes ButtersWes ButtersWes Butters , is a radio broadcaster, formerly of BBC Radio 1, and writer.-Early life:...
(left 25 September 2011; now with BBC Leeds) - Jonathan MorrellJonathan MorrellJonathan Morrell is an English presenter and journalist.He is a graduate of the media department at the University of Sunderland and has previously worked freelance at: BBC Radio Newcastle , BBC Radio Cleveland , Sky News , ITV Yorkshire's Calendar , ITV News Channel and Wellbeing Channel .He has...
(left 2 September 2011; emigrated to AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
)
- Steve Jordan (left August 2011; now with Yorkshire Coast RadioYorkshire Coast RadioYorkshire Coast Radio is an Independent Local Radio station based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. YCR is officially two Ofcom licenses, one for Scarborough and Whitby in North Yorkshire and one for Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire.-History:For many years several...
)