NE1fm - Content and Shows

Content and Shows

NE1fm broadcasts a wide variety of musical and spoken word content, with the musical genres covered by its specialist programming including alternative, indie, electronica, hip-hop, classical and soul. The majority of weekday programming was broadcast in the evening until 2011, with programming now featuring throughout the afternoon also, and with open access programming slots for one-off broadcasts by community projects and volunteers unable to commit to a weekly schedule. This split of content is described in detail in NE1fm's 2006 license application:

The schedule is split in to three distinctive strands. Daytime programming will be community focussed (sic), talk based / listener oriented output. Early evening programming is access programming where volunteers of all levels can develop skills and experience whilst gaining access to the airwaves. Late evening onwards is for specialist music output giving airtime to a diverse range of music genres, allow promotion of unsigned bands and the local music scene, and presenting a range of music reflecting the cultural mix of the area. Weekend output is more flexible and dynamic and will change depending on current events and ongoing airtime requirements.

The weekday evening programming offered by NE1fm was, at the station's launch, particularly specialist, although some broadcasts now cater to more mainstream audiences, while still offering niche genres and content not catered for by local competitors such as Metro Radio and BBC Radio Newcastle. On weekends, the station's output is still varied, although a chunk of Sunday's programming has historically been dedicated to soul, Saturday afternoons dedicated to sports via The Sports Zone, one of few shows on NE1fm broadcast consistently since the station's 2007 launch. Spoken word and talk shows have also been broadcast on NE1fm, often during weekday daytime, although some - such as sketch comedy show The Suggestibles - have been broadcast on evenings. The NE1fm schedule is periodically revised, resulting in a significant turnover of shows and presenters relative to local commercial stations.

Although many of NE1fm's past and present presenters are local volunteers with limited broadcasting experience, a number of acclaimed individuals and shows have featured on the station since its launch in 2007. Several presenters, including Kev Atkinson and Wayne C. McDonald, have featured on commercial radio stations previously, and a number of the DJs broadcast on the station, such as DJ Play have released commercial material or are signed to major labels. Sports presenter Rob Pears featured in television documentary Blind Ambition, and one-time presenter Gaynor Marshall now produces Alan Robson's Nightowls on Metro Radio, and has since been nominated for a Sony Radio Award as a result of her commercial radio work.

NE1fm has a unique broadcast strategy as part of its philosophy. No on-air presenter for NE1fm has ever been paid for their services, and the station does not take syndicated programming or other content from outside of the local area. Via the open access programming on mornings from Monday to Saturday, NE1fm allows any member of the local community to try out radio broadcasting, regardless of experience. A number of NE1fm shows have however been simulcast on other local stations, including Spark FM and Spice FM. The age range of presenters on NE1fm has been vast, from children to senior citizens up to the age of 80. Individuals with both physical and mental disabilities have also broadcast on NE1fm.

The station has featured since its launch a number of notable musicians, including pop stars Jason Derulo and Olly Murs, boy band The Wanted, singer-songwriter Kate Nash, dance music duo Ultrabeat and Maxïmo Park, the latter of which were guests during the station's first month of operation. Representatives of local sports teams have also frequently featured on relevant programming, with those represented including Newcastle United F.C., Newcastle Falcons, Blyth Spartans F.C., Gateshead F.C. and Gateshead Thunder. A variety of up-and-coming musicians and bands have also gained exposure via the station, and the NE1fm automation system at one point, before a phase-out, featured live music from the 1990s that was originally broadcast on previous community projects in the area.

At times when there is no presenter, an automated system is used playing mostly popular music from the 1970s onwards. From 2007 until 2010, this broadcast a wide range of genres, with no playlisting and limited new music broadcast. Following the station's relocation, however, NE1fm altered the station sound to incorporate a larger quantity of new music, playing mostly new releases during the day, before playing music from a variety of decades overnight. Furthermore, in an area dominated by dance and R&B stations, NE1fm is the only broadcaster to play indie pop, alternative rock and other genres as part of its regular automated output. Hourly news updates are provided by Sky News Radio during automated hours, although some live shows also carry the updates. The station's current primary playout system is OtsAV, which was originally used in conjunction with Soundbox, an archaic playout system, before becoming the sole playout system following the station's relocation.

A number of events have been organised and broadcast by NE1fm, many as fundraisers in order to help finance the station's operation. Most such events have featured live specialist music, including reggae, rock, heavy metal, soul and country. The station has also held off-air events featuring local bands. Venues which have been used by the station include Newcastle's Swallow Hotel, The Pitcher And Piano, The Telegraph, World Headquarters, Nancy's Bordello and the Centurion Bar at Newcastle Central Station. NE1fm has also broadcast from night clubs in the area, including Bar Beyond.