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.
Adoption of Real Radio Brand
Under GMG Radio, the Century brand was phased out, in favour of a combined Real Radio network.
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.