In the first in a new feature, I showcase a community radio station as my Station of the Week, with the first being decided through the results of a twitter poll. Radio Tyneside won ahead of Ambersound, Express FM in Portsmouth, and Mearns FM in North East Scotland. The names were the first four which popped into my head.
Radio Tyneside started life as a hospital radio station, and expanded across Newcastle and Gateshead in July 2018 on 93.6 FM, after gaining an Ofcom FM community radio license. Prior to that the service was available on AM to hospitals in Newcastle, and on Hospedia to hospitals in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Today, the station still retains an emphasis on health aspects, but also has a diverse range of programmes, including Newcastle United football commentary (commentary not available online), and specialised music programmes.
What I like about the station is the fact that is sounds professional, but doesn’t have the over polished feel that some commercial stations have. The station really cares about the community it serves, and fulfils its dual hospital and community station role very well.
You can see more info on Radio Tyneside on the station guide here.