History
The Newcastle based station, broadcasting to North East England, launched on 15 July 1974. The first Breakfast Show was presented by Don Dwyer, an Australian radio presenter formerly at ABC, Giles Squire, James Whale, Peter Wraight, Peter Sampson and Harry Rowell were also there from the beginning. The first show also included messages of congratulations from Kenny Everett at the equivalent local commercial station in London, Capital Radio, and from the station's first managing director Bruce Lewis.
The station transmitted from a studio in Swalwell, Gateshead, which, in later years, would be adjacent to the MetroCentre. In 2005 Metro, and sister station Magic 1152 moved to the former BT building, previously known as Swan House, now known as 55° North, in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Until 2005 the station broadcast live football commentary for the region's two biggest clubs — Newcastle United and Sunderland. In an attempt to boost ratings, the football commentary was stopped. However, a negative response from football fans prompted the owners to cover all Newcastle and Sunderland games on sister station Magic 1152.
The controversial DJ and TV presenter James Whale launched his radio career on Metro, presenting the Night Owls Show on the station between 1974 and 1980. Other well known names include Mark Goodier, Gabby Logan, Jenny Powell, Jeremy Vine and Mark Forrest.
On 14 July 2011, breakfast presenter Tony Horne left the station, prior to his contract ending. On 25 September 2011, Steve Furnell and Karen Wight were announced as his replacements, and until 23 December 2011 they had presented on rival station Capital North East. Furnell and Wight tookover from Horne on 6 June 2012, due to a "clause in the contracts issued by their former employers", they had been unable to broadcast live for five months.
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