Hits Radio has arrived!
Here’s everything you need to know
There’s so much to be excited about, as Steve & Karen will be waking you up with the biggest hits, throwbacks and huge laughs each weekday morning from 6am. Gemma Atkinson will be back with Mike Toolan each weekday afternoon to get you home in the funniest way possible, and we could change your life with Million Pound Make Me A Winner! Plus every evening Sam Thompson will be hanging out with the biggest stars to end your day in the perfect way.
Check out everything you need to know below.
Why have you changed to Hits Radio North East?
Metro Radio was already part of the Hits Radio Network, and our new name will help us be more clearly identified as part of our family network of shows.
Will I still be able to listen to Steve and Karen?
Yes! Steve and Karen’s Breakfast Show will still have the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks, weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
Will the music you play change?
No, our same great playlist of the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks will still be brought to you by our presenter line-up including Steve and Karen, Fleur East, Sam Thompson, Sarah-Jane Crawford, Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan.
Will you still be local?
Yes! As Hits Radio North East we will have all your local news and information, traffic and travel and our much-loved breakfast show with Steve and Karen.
Will you still be supporting Cash for Kids?
Yes! We will still be supporting fundraising for disadvantaged young people within our community through Cash for Kids.
Will local advertising be affected?
No, our advertising opportunities for local commercial partners remain unchanged.
How can I listen?
There are many ways you can listen to us, from online, to our app, on FM and DAB, here's our complete guide to how to listen.
How can I listen on my Smart Speaker?
Amazon Alexa: "Alexa, play Hits Radio North East"
Google Home: "Ok Google, play Hits Radio North East."
Apple HomePod: "Hey Siri, play Hits Radio North East."
Do I need to download a new App?
If you already have our app, head to your app store and update it. If not, you can download below:
Will I need to change how I listen on FM?
No, you can listen on 97.1FM, 102.6FM, 103FM, 103.2FM.
How will I listen in the car?
You can listen to Hits Radio North East on 97.1FM, 102.6FM, 103FM, 103.2FM and on DAB with a low-cost DAB converter or adapter. You can also download the Metro Radio App on your phone and connect to us via Bluetooth or USB connector, type in 'Hits Radio North East'' into your App store on your phone and you can download the App for free.
Why do I need to log in to listen to Hits Radio North East?
You'll need to log in to listen on the website, app and Alexa-enabled devices. When you are logged in, we can offer you the best service possible. This includes full access to our on-demand content, ability to subscribe to our shows and be notified of new shows, plus you can also ‘Continue Listening’ by picking up where you left off, even if you are on a different device. For more information, please read our full logged in listening guide.
How will I find local news?
You can read all the latest news online, listen on the hour online, on your radio or our App and find all the news from across North East on our Twitter page.
Will I need to change the accounts I follow on social media?
You won’t need to change which accounts you follow
Like Hits Radio North East on Facebook
Follow Hits Radio North East on Twitter
Follow Steve and Karen's Breakfast Show on Twitter
Follow Hits Radio on Instagram
Will I still receive regular emails from you?
As we change our name to Hits Radio North East from April, you’ll need to opt into our new emails to make sure you receive information ongoing. We’ll share details for how you can do this soon!
Will your website change?
Our website has updated to ‘hitsradio.co.uk’ and from there you’ll just need to select North East as your local region and you will continue to receive the localised version, with all the information relevant to where you are.
How can I enter competitions?
You’ll still be able to find our huge competitions on-air by listening through the day or exploring our dedicated win section on our website, which will be unique to each Hits Radio station.
I have a prize/offer voucher with the station – will this still be valid?
Nothing changes with regards to our prizes and the validity period will remain the same.
How will I be able to contact you from April?
Our contacts remain the same. You can visit our contact us page here. Any queries regarding the name change should be directed to enquiries@metroradio.co.uk
I’m a local business and want to understand more about the changes, who do I speak to?
If you already have a contact at the business, please feel free to reach out to them as normal or contact enquiries@metroradio.co.uk to direct you to the relevant team.
Get to know our radio presenters:
Steve and Karen's Breakfast Show
Wake up in the North East with Steve and Karen for the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks, weekday mornings from 6am-10am. Listen back to the Hits Radio North East breakfast show here.
Steve and Karen were born and bred right here in the North East, and even attended the same primary school without knowing it! They started working together back in 2000, when Karen read the news on Steve’s old show. Of course, they soon hit it off and Steve and Karen's Breakfast Show was born in January 2001 - and the rest, as they say, is history! Find out more about our presenters here.
Angellica Bell, James Barr & Matt Haslam
Wake the fun up on Saturday mornings with Angellica Bell, James Barr & Matt Haslam. Angellica is sitting in for Fleur while she taking a break with her baby! This jam-packed show brings you the biggest laughs, the biggest competitions and your favourite stars all while playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks Saturdays from 9am.
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan get you home weekdays from 4pm. Expect plenty of laughs with the biggest hits and throwbacks!
Sam Thompson
Every weeknight Hits Radio is THE place to be, as Sam Thompson brings you The Hits Radio Evening Show from 7pm. He's joined by the world's biggest stars and has the best playlist to soundtrack your evening.
Plus, on Sunday afternoons Sam Thompson counts down the UK's 40 biggest hits on the Hits UK Chart.
Tom Green
Tom Green kicks off your workday from 10am with an entire hour of huge throwbacks.
Then continue your day with a tasty selection of hits, throwbacks and a lot to make you smile!
Hattie Pearson
We don't do the post lunch slump! From 1pm, there's big tunes all afternoon and MASSIVE money to be won, Hattie will see you through your afternoon in style.
Owen Warner
Owen Warner kickstarts your weekend on Friday Night Hits and Saturday Night Hits from 7pm. He's got the ultimate playlist to get you ready for the weekend, with the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks as well as some incredible celebrity guests. Don't miss it!
Mary Mandefield
Mary Mandefield gives your Sunday morning the kickstart it needs with hits, throwbacks and plenty of giggles as you wake up. Listen Sunday morning from 6-9am.
Wes & Sheree
Spend your Sunday morning with Wes Butters and Sheree Murphy. Loads of great tunes and a good laugh to kick off your Sunday. Listen from 9am.
Sarah-Jane Crawford
Whether you're heading back from the shops, the game or getting ready for an evening at home, our very own SJC has the perfect mix of Hits and Throwbacks to take your Saturday afternoon into Saturday night mode! Join Sarah-Jane Crawford Saturday afternoons from 4-7pm. You can also catch Sarah-Jane weeknights from 10pm on Hits Radio.
Stephanie Hirst
Your Saturday night party is ON with Stephanie Hirst's belters! From 11pm every Saturday Stephanie plays nothing but the best dance-floor throwbacks from the 90s & 00s. Plus, every Sunday evening from 7pm, Steph plays nothing but the biggest throwbacks in the mix.
How to listen to Hits Radio North East:
Turn it up with Hits Radio North East! Home of Steve and Karen’s Breakfast Show, Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on 102.6, 103, 103.2 and 97.1FM, DAB, online, or ask your smart speaker to ‘Play Hits Radio North East’.