Hits Radio North East live
All the Biggest Hits - All Day Long
Hits Radio North East at a glance
About Hits Radio North East
Hits Radio North East is the hit music station for Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Northumberland and the wider North East of England, broadcasting on 97.1 FM. For decades this frequency was home to Metro Radio, one of the region's best-loved stations, and today it carries the Hits Radio brand with the biggest songs, upbeat presenters and local news and travel. On this page you can listen to Hits Radio North East live online for free.
From Metro Radio to Hits Radio
Metro Radio was a North East institution, launching the careers of many famous broadcasters and covering everything from local news to the region's passion for football. On 17 April 2024, Bauer Media Audio UK rebranded Metro Radio as Hits Radio North East, as part of a network-wide relaunch of 17 local stations across England and Wales. The station continues on 97.1 FM, and its local news and regional output were kept as part of the change. Its stations are available through the Rayo app.
What you will hear
Hits Radio plays the biggest pop, dance and R&B songs of today and recent years, from artists such as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, Harry Styles and Sam Fender, the North Shields star who is one of the region's proudest exports. The breakfast show brings music, chat and competitions, and the rest of the day keeps the hits coming. Local news, weather and travel updates cover the A1, A19, Tyne crossings and Metro services, and the station supports local children through Cash for Kids and its Mission Christmas appeal.
How to listen to Hits Radio North East
Tune your FM radio to 97.1 to hear Hits Radio across the North East. It is also available on DAB digital radio, smart speakers and the Rayo app. The quickest way is to press play above, and the live stream starts straight away on your phone, tablet or computer. If you live in the North East, you may also enjoy BBC Radio Newcastle, Smooth Radio Teesside and Sun FM Radio, all available on our site.
For the biggest hits with a proper Geordie welcome, Hits Radio North East continues the Metro Radio tradition.
- 100% free, no sign-up
- Live stream, 24 hours a day
- Listen from anywhere
- Works on phone and computer
How to listen to Hits Radio North East live
In 3 simple steps, with nothing to install.
- 01Press play
Click the "Listen live" button at the top of this page.
- 02Wait a moment
The live stream starts loading within a few seconds.
- 03Enjoy
Hits Radio North East plays right in your browser, with nothing to install.
Radio stations in North East
Other stations from the same place — click to open.
Frequently asked questions
Hits Radio North East broadcasts on 97.1 FM, and is also on DAB digital radio and online.
The station was Metro Radio until it was rebranded as Hits Radio North East on 17 April 2024.
Yes. Press play at the top of this page to listen live for free on any device.
It is owned by Bauer Media Audio UK as part of the Hits Radio network.
Yes. You can listen to Hits Radio North East live for free here on UK Radio Stations, 24 hours a day.
Yes. Hits Radio North East plays in your phone’s browser on Android or iPhone — there is no app to install. Just open this page and press play.
Yes. Connect your phone to the car stereo by Bluetooth or cable, open Hits Radio North East here on UK Radio Stations and enjoy the live stream on the road.
If the stream does not load, wait a few seconds and press play again — some streams take a moment to connect. You can also refresh the page or try another Adult Contemporary station meanwhile. UK Radio Stations checks every stream automatically.