Real Radio initially launched as Century Radio, broadcasting to North East region of England.
This station first launched as Century Radio, and was the first of three regional radio stations to carry this brand. The primary frequencies of 101.8FM for the North East and 100.7FM for Teesside were used. Relays for Newcastle on 96.2FM and Tynedale on 96.4FM were also used, with DAB digital radio being added later.
Adoption of Real Radio Brand
Century Radio was eventually acquired by Guardian Media Group (GMG)
Under GMG Radio, the Century brand was phased out, in favour of a combined Real Radio network. Century North East rebranded to Real Radio on 30th March 2009, ending 14 and half years of the Century brand,
Aquisition by Global
The station, along with all others owned by GMG Radio, was purchased by Global in 2012. The station and it’s sisters were placed in hold separate measures under the Real and Smooth Limited holding company, while regulator Competition Commission (now Competition and Markets Authority) investigated the sale.
Whilst in hold separate measures, locally produced programming dropped to the minimum of 7 hours on weekdays and 4 hours on Saturday and Sunday, allowed by media regulator Ofcom at the time.
Hold separate measures ended in 2014, after Global agreed to sell some stations to Communicorp, who in turn entered a franchise agreement with Global. Ownership of Real Radio North East remained with Global, and the station folded into the Heart network.