Spark Sunderland

Last updated

Spark Sunderland
Broadcast area Sunderland, United Kingdom
Online via Radioplayer
Frequency 107.0MHz
Programming
Language(s)English
Format Community radio
Ownership
Owner University of Sunderland
History
First air date
27 October 2009
Links
Website www.sparksunderland.com

Spark (formerly 107 Spark FM and Spark FM) is a community radio station serving 15- to 30-year-olds in the Sunderland area. Spark carries a variety of content catering for both mainstream and niche musical audiences, specialising in chart hits and new music throughout the day, and specialist programming after 7 p.m. The radio station broadcasts on 107.0FM and online via the station's website. The official launch of Spark took place at the new £12 million CitySpace building in the centre of the city of Sunderland.

Contents

History

The station began broadcasting in November 1997 as Radio Utopia a two-week short term broadcast under the (then) Radio Authority's Restricted Service Licence (RSL) scheme. The station was part of a regional arts festival called "Visions of Utopia" and the station reflected the scheme and carried various programmes tied-in with the scheme, such as "The Quakies" a programme produced by children from the former pit village of Quaking Houses in County Durham. Radio broadcasting predated this by several years, with student programming on the community radio station Wear FM, which closed in 1995 and is now the more commercial station Sun FM. The station was low powered but still proved valuable as a training ground for new broadcasters. Programmes were broadcast from studios in the Forster Building, formerly used by Wear FM, with a transmitter on the roof.

The station was rebranded the following November as "107 Utopia FM" and developed a more formatted sound and joined the "Student Broadcast Network" (SBN) bringing news, national programmes and a 24-hour service to the station. Utopia returned in September 1999 for the first ever freshers broadcast and again proved its value for students and volunteers. The station largely draws volunteers from the University's large undergraduate media courses but has also been part of wider community radio programmes with projects in County Durham, Washington and Sunderland.

During the following years Utopia broadcast more frequently, getting up to broadcasts twice a year. In 2002, Utopia began broadcasting on the 102.4FM frequency. In 2003, the station began to use new studios in the £11m Media Centre at the St. Peter's Campus, when media teaching moved there that year. The old studios have now been demolished and the building is now used to teach courses run by the University's School of Education and Lifelong Learning. The move also facilitated the recording of sessions in The Media Centre's new radio and television studios.

The station applied for a Community Radio Licence from OFCOM in the 2nd licensing round and was awarded a licence in 2007. The station took on the new name of Spark when it launched in 2009. The name is a reflection of the University logo, which they call a 'spark' in homage to the shipyards that were central to the growth of Sunderland.

Volunteers from the station have not only succeeded in gaining recognition in the annual student radio awards in the UK but also awards from the New York Festivals. Station alumni are now found working for BBC and Commercial stations across the UK.

Volunteers at the station are known internally and across the student radio network and media network as "Sparkies".

Community licence and rebrand

When the UK media regulator Ofcom announced a plan to issue Community Radio licences, work began at the station to apply for a Full Time licence. This application was made in early in 2007. [1] In September 2007, Ofcom awarded Utopia FM a full-time 5 year Community Radio licence. [2]

It was announced in June 2009 that Utopia FM would be changing its name to 107 Spark FM to signal the change in licence and the broadening of the audience. [3]

In 2012, Spark was awarded 'Best North East Radio Station' in the Radio Academy's 'Nations & Regional Awards'. [4]

In late 2013, the '107' branding was removed for the station and the station was simply known as 'Spark' or 'Spark FM'.

In 2015, the station was updated with a refreshed logo, a slogan change to 'Where Sunderland Lives', new on-air imaging provided by Reelworld and a brand new website.

As of 2016, the station is now referred to as 'Spark' only on air, dropping the 'fm' suffix.

Programming, music and output

The majority of Spark's programming is broadcast live from its studio at the David Puttnam Media Centre at St.Peters Campus of University of Sunderland. Spark broadcasts at least eight hours of original programming each weekday, while overnights are non-stop music. Daytime shows feature a mix of playlist music, interviews, discussions and news reporting. [5] [6]

Spark play a mix of hit music and emerging music. Genres range from Chart Hits, Indie/Alternative, Dance, Urban/R&B. During the evening, 7pm-11pm Spark have a number of specialist music shows, such as 'The Takedown', focusing on different genres. [5] [6]

The station airs hourly national IRN news updates during daytime hours.

Awards

YearAwardsCategoryResult
2010Radio Academy North EastBest StationGold
The Charles Parker Prize [7] Best Student Audio FeatureSilver
2011Radio Academy North EastBest StationGold
The Charles Parker Prize [8] Best Student Audio FeatureBronze
I Love Student Radio AwardsVolunteer of the YearGold
Station Manager of the Year
Community Spirit
Student Radio AwardsBest Marketing & Station SoundNominated
Best NewcomerNominated
Best FemaleNominated
Best SpeechGold
Best SpecialistBronze
Best InterviewSilver
2012Radio Academy North East [4] Best StationGold
New York Festivals Radio Awards [9] Best StationSilver
I Love Student Radio AwardsVolunteer of the YearGold
Charity ChampionGold
Student Radio AwardsBest Student Radio StationBronze
Best MaleGold
Best NewcomerNominated
Best Marketing & Station SoundBronze
Best Entertainment ProgrammingGold
Nominated
Best Specialist Music ProgrammingGold
Best Interview
Gold
Silver
Nominated
Best Live Event or Outside BroadcastNominated
2013I Love Student Radio AwardsCommunity SpiritGold
Student Radio AwardsBest Speech ProgrammingNominated
Best NewcomerBronze
Best FemaleSilver
Best MaleBronze
2014The Charles Parker Prize [10] Best Student Audio FeatureBronze
Silver
I Love Student Radio AwardsVolunteer of the YearHighly Commended
Highly Commended
Gold
Student Radio AwardsBest MaleNominated
Best Female
Best Speech
Best Student Radio StationBronze
2015The Charles Parker Prize [11] Best Student Audio FeatureSilver
New York Festivals Radio AwardsBest Student Drama ProgrammeGold
Best Student Radio StationBronze
I Love Student Radio AwardsVolunteer of the YearGold
Highly Commended
Student Radio Awards [12] Best FemaleNominated
Nominated
Best Speech ProgrammingNominated
Nominated
Bronze
Gold
Best Multiplatform InitiativeBronze
Best Student Radio StationBronze
2016The Charles Parker Prize [13] Best Student Audio FeatureBronze
New York Festivals Radio AwardsBest Student DocumentaryNominated
Best Student StationGold
I Love Student Radio AwardsVolunteer of the Year
Best Training InitiativeHighly Commended
Community Radio Awards [14] Innovation Award of the YearSilver
Young Person of the YearNominated
Sports Show of the YearSilver
Specialist Music Show of the YearSilver
Arts & Creative Radio of the YearGold
Speech & Journalism of the YearBronze
Nominated
Entertainment Show of the YearNominated
Silver
Male Presenter of the YearBronze
Student Radio AwardsBest Speech ProgrammingSilver
2017New York Festivals Radio AwardsBest Student StationNominated
I Love Student Radio AwardsHero of the MomentSilver
Student Radio Team of the Year
Community Radio Awards [15] Speech and Journalism Radio of the YearNominated
Community Development Project of the YearNominated
Gold
Innovation AwardGold
Sports Show of the Year
Specialist Music Show of the YearSilver
Entertainment Show of the YearBronze
Silver
Student Radio Awards [16] Best Male PresenterSilver
Best Female PresenterNominated
Best Speech ProgrammingGold
2018The Charles Parker Prize [17] Best Student Audio FeatureSilver
New York Festivals Radio AwardsBest Student DocumentaryGold
I Love Student Radio AwardsHero of the MomentNominated
Nominated
Team of the YearNominated
Best Audience Initiative
Best Training Initiative
Outstanding ContributionNominated
Nominated
Committee Member of the YearHighly Commended
Region of the Year
Best Outreach Project
Community Radio Awards [18] Sports Show of the YearNominated
Specialist Music Show of the YearGold
Arts & Creative Radio of the YearNominated
Entertainment Show of the YearBronze
Community Show of the YearNominated
Station of the YearSilver
Student Radio Awards [19] Best MaleNominated
Best Entertainment Programme
Best Specialist Music ProgrammingSilver
Best Journalistic ProgrammingNominated
Best Speech ProgrammingGold
Best InterviewNominated
Gold
2019The Charles Parker Prize [20] Best Student Audio FeatureNominated
Nominated
New York Festivals Radio AwardsBest Student Drama ProgramNominated
I Love Student Radio AwardsRegion of the YearGold
Best Outreach ProjectHighly Commended
Community Radio Awards [21] Specialist Music Show of the YearNominated
Arts & Creative Radio of the YearSilver
Nominated
Station of the YearBronze
Community Development Project of the YearSilver
Student Radio Awards [22] Best Student Radio StationNominated
Best MaleBronze
Silver
Best Speech ProgrammingBronze
Nominated
2020The Charles Parker Prize [23] Best Student Audio FeatureNominated
Prizewinner
New York Festivals Radio Awards [24] Best Student DocumentaryBronze
I Love Student Radio AwardsMost Committed Committee MemberNominated
Outstanding ContributionHighly Commended
Moment of the YearNominated
Spirit of Student RadioGold
Hero of the MomentNominated
Community Radio Awards [25] Podcast of the YearBronze
Speech & Journalism of the Year
Entertainment Show of the YearNominated
Student Radio Awards [26] Best Event or Outside BroadcastBronze
Best PodcastSilver
Best Interview
Best ProducerNominated
Best Journalistic Programming
Best Speech Show/Presenter
Best Music Show/PresenterGold
Best Entertainment Show/PresenterBronze
2021The Charles Parker Prize [27] Best Student Audio FeatureNominated
Prizewinner
Prizewinner
Amplify AwardsTeam of the YearSilver
Community Radio Awards [28] Specialist Music Show of the YearGold
Speech & Journalism of the Year
Student Radio Awards [29] Best Student Radio StationNominated
Best Presenter
Best NewcomerGold
Best ProducerNominated
Nominated
Best Station BrandingNominated
Best Speech Programming
Best Specilalist Music Programming
Best Entertainment Programming
2022The Charles Parker Prize [30] Best Student Audio FeatureNominated
Prizewinner
New York Festivals Radio Awards [31] Best Student DocumentaryNominated
Best Student Drama ProgramBronze
Amplify AwardsBest Student Media CollaborationGold
The Student Radio Amplify AwardSilver
Best Contribution to the Region
Outstanding ContributionBronze
Student Radio Moment of the YearNominated
Most Improved Station
Team of the Year
Hero of the MomentNominated
Nominated
Gold
Best Training InitiativeSilver
Best Promotional InitiativeNominated
Best Outreach ProjectNominated
Nominated
The Coronavirus Resilience AwardBronze
Community Radio Awards [32] Young Person of the Year (under 25)Gold
Arts & Creative Radio of the YearSilver
Gold
Station of the YearNominated
Student Radio Awards [33] Best Specialist Music ProgrammingBronze
Best Entertainment ProgrammingNominated
Best Event ProgrammingSilver
Best Radio StationGold
Best Journalistic ProgrammingNominated
The Diversity, Eqaulity & Inclusivity AwardNominated
Bronze
Best Speech ProgrammingSilver
Nominated
Best Podcast ProgrammingNominated
Best ProducerNominated
Best PresenterNominated
Bronze
Gold
Best NewcomerSilver
Gold
2023New York Festivals Radio Awards [34] Best Student DocumentarySilver
Nominated
Amplify Awards [35] Hero of the MomentGold
Best Training InitiativeNominated
Best Promotional InitiativeBronze
Most Committed Committee MemberNominated
Team of the YearNominated
Nominated
The Amplify AwardBronze
The Charles Parker Prize [36] Best Student Audio FeaturePrizewinner
Prizewinner

Notable alumni

A number of Spark volunteers have graduated from the University of Sunderland and gone on to work for local, regional or national radio stations as well as TV stations and print media.

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References

  1. ↑ "Applications for community radio licences 2007 - North and North-East England (Incl. North Yorkshire) | Ofcom". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2007.
  2. ↑ "Ofcom licence awards September 2007". Archived from the original on 20 October 2007.
  3. ↑ McGerty, Scott. "About Spark – Spark Sunderland".
  4. 1 2 "107 Spark FM Win Nations & Regions Award for the North East » Spark Sunderland". Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Key Commitments, Licence number: CR000143BA" (PDF). Ofcom. July 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Schedule – Spark Sunderland". Archived from the original on 22 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "2010 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "2011 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "New York Festivals - 2012 World's Best Radio Programs™ Winners". 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "2014 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "2015 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  12. ↑ bridiepjones (9 November 2015). "Student Radio Awards 2015: A review". Kettle Mag. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "2016 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  14. ↑ martin (11 September 2016). "Stations and volunteers recognised at first ever Community Radio Awards". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  15. ↑ martin (24 September 2017). "2017 Community Radio Awards Results". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Student Radio Awards 2017 – all the winners". RadioToday. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "2018 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Smith, Christopher (17 September 2018). "Recipients announced for the 2018 Community Radio Awards". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  19. ↑ "Student Radio Awards 2018 – winners list". RadioToday. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "2019 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Smith, Christopher (26 October 2019). "Recipients announced for the 2019 Community Radio Awards". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  22. ↑ "All the winners from the Student Radio Awards 2019". RadioToday. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "2020 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Winners Gallery - New York Festivals". radio.newyorkfestivals.com. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  25. ↑ martin (12 December 2020). "Virtual 2020 Community Radio Awards crowns winners". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  26. ↑ "Student Radio Awards – all the winners for 2020". RadioToday. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  27. ↑ "2021 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  28. ↑ martin (25 October 2021). "2021 Community Radio Awards recognise the best of the nation". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "All the winners from the Student Radio Awards 2021". RadioToday. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  30. ↑ "2022 Winners". Charles Parker Archive Trust. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  31. ↑ "Winners Gallery - New York Festivals". radio.newyorkfestivals.com. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  32. ↑ martin (24 November 2022). "Winners of the 2022 Community Radio Awards". Community Radio Awards. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  33. ↑ "Student Radio Awards 2022 – full winners list". RadioToday. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  34. ↑ "Winners Gallery - New York Festivals". radio.newyorkfestivals.com. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  35. ↑ "Amplify Awards winners announced at SRA Conference". RadioToday. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  36. ↑ "https://twitter.com/carolinereith/status/1651472994450001927". Twitter. Retrieved 27 April 2023.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

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