BBC Newcastle
Coordinates: 54°58′40″N 1°37′46″W / 54.97782°N 1.62936°W
 | |
| City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | |
| Slogan | 'BBC Newcastle, Radio for the North East' |
| Frequency |
FM: 95.4, 96.0, 103.7 and 104.4 MHz AM: 1458 kHz DAB: 11C RDS: BBC NWCL |
| First air date | 2 January 1971 |
| Format | Mainly local news and talk, with a range of music from across the decades. |
| Language(s) | English |
| Operator | BBC North East and Cumbria |
| Owner | BBC |
| Sister stations | |
| Webcast | BBC iPlayer Radio |
| Website |
www |
BBC Newcastle (formerly BBC Radio 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.
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 and the transmitter has national radio frequencies and television channels. 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.
Programming
The majority of the station's programming is produced and broadcast from Newcastle, including the nightly late show shared with BBC Tees. As with all BBC Local Radio stations, it also airs the networked weekday evening show, originating from BBC Radio Leeds and produced independently by Wire Free Productions. During the station's overnight downtime, BBC Radio Newcastle simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live.
The station's local presenters include Alfie Joey and Anna Foster (weekday breakfast), Lisa Shaw (weekday mornings), Simon Logan (weekday afternoons), Simon Pryde (Total Sport / Saturday lunchtime), Paddy MacDee (weekday nights) and Marian Foster (Garden Mania).
The station's team of sports commentators includes Gary Bennett, Marco Gabbiadini and John Anderson.