Spark Sunderland

(Redirected from Utopia FM)

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.

Spark Sunderland
Broadcast areaSunderland, United Kingdom
Online via Radioplayer
Frequency107.0 MHz
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatCommunity radio
Ownership
OwnerUniversity of Sunderland
History
First air date
27 October 2009
Links
Websitewww.sparksunderland.com

History

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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

edit
Year Awards Category Result
2010 Radio Academy North East Best Station Gold
The Charles Parker Prize[7] Best Student Audio Feature Silver
2011 Radio Academy North East Best Station Gold
The Charles Parker Prize[8] Best Student Audio Feature Bronze
I Love Student Radio Awards Volunteer of the Year Gold
Station Manager of the Year
Community Spirit
Student Radio Awards Best Marketing & Station Sound Nominated
Best Newcomer Nominated
Best Female Nominated
Best Speech Gold
Best Specialist Bronze
Best Interview Silver
2012 Radio Academy North East[4] Best Station Gold
New York Festivals Radio Awards[9] Best Station Silver
I Love Student Radio Awards Volunteer of the Year Gold
Charity Champion Gold
Student Radio Awards Best Student Radio Station Bronze
Best Male Gold
Best Newcomer Nominated
Best Marketing & Station Sound Bronze
Best Entertainment Programming Gold
Nominated
Best Specialist Music Programming Gold
Best Interview
Gold
Silver
Nominated
Best Live Event or Outside Broadcast Nominated
2013 I Love Student Radio Awards Community Spirit Gold
Student Radio Awards Best Speech Programming Nominated
Best Newcomer Bronze
Best Female Silver
Best Male Bronze
2014 The Charles Parker Prize[10] Best Student Audio Feature Bronze
Silver
I Love Student Radio Awards Volunteer of the Year Highly Commended
Highly Commended
Gold
Student Radio Awards Best Male Nominated
Best Female
Best Speech
Best Student Radio Station Bronze
2015 The Charles Parker Prize[11] Best Student Audio Feature Silver
New York Festivals Radio Awards Best Student Drama Programme Gold
Best Student Radio Station Bronze
I Love Student Radio Awards Volunteer of the Year Gold
Highly Commended
Student Radio Awards[12] Best Female Nominated
Nominated
Best Speech Programming Nominated
Nominated
Bronze
Gold
Best Multiplatform Initiative Bronze
Best Student Radio Station Bronze
2016 The Charles Parker Prize[13] Best Student Audio Feature Bronze
New York Festivals Radio Awards Best Student Documentary Nominated
Best Student Station Gold
I Love Student Radio Awards Volunteer of the Year
Best Training Initiative Highly Commended
Community Radio Awards[14] Innovation Award of the Year Silver
Young Person of the Year Nominated
Sports Show of the Year Silver
Specialist Music Show of the Year Silver
Arts & Creative Radio of the Year Gold
Speech & Journalism of the Year Bronze
Nominated
Entertainment Show of the Year Nominated
Silver
Male Presenter of the Year Bronze
Student Radio Awards Best Speech Programming Silver
2017 New York Festivals Radio Awards Best Student Station Nominated
I Love Student Radio Awards Hero of the Moment Silver
Student Radio Team of the Year
Community Radio Awards[15] Speech and Journalism Radio of the Year Nominated
Community Development Project of the Year Nominated
Gold
Innovation Award Gold
Sports Show of the Year
Specialist Music Show of the Year Silver
Entertainment Show of the Year Bronze
Silver
Student Radio Awards[16] Best Male Presenter Silver
Best Female Presenter Nominated
Best Speech Programming Gold
2018 The Charles Parker Prize[17] Best Student Audio Feature Silver
New York Festivals Radio Awards Best Student Documentary Gold
I Love Student Radio Awards Hero of the Moment Nominated
Nominated
Team of the Year Nominated
Best Audience Initiative
Best Training Initiative
Outstanding Contribution Nominated
Nominated
Committee Member of the Year Highly Commended
Region of the Year
Best Outreach Project
Community Radio Awards[18] Sports Show of the Year Nominated
Specialist Music Show of the Year Gold
Arts & Creative Radio of the Year Nominated
Entertainment Show of the Year Bronze
Community Show of the Year Nominated
Station of the Year Silver
Student Radio Awards[19] Best Male Nominated
Best Entertainment Programme
Best Specialist Music Programming Silver
Best Journalistic Programming Nominated
Best Speech Programming Gold
Best Interview Nominated
Gold
2019 The Charles Parker Prize[20] Best Student Audio Feature Nominated
Nominated
New York Festivals Radio Awards Best Student Drama Program Nominated
I Love Student Radio Awards Region of the Year Gold
Best Outreach Project Highly Commended
Community Radio Awards[21] Specialist Music Show of the Year Nominated
Arts & Creative Radio of the Year Silver
Nominated
Station of the Year Bronze
Community Development Project of the Year Silver
Student Radio Awards[22] Best Student Radio Station Nominated
Best Male Bronze
Silver
Best Speech Programming Bronze
Nominated
2020 The Charles Parker Prize[23] Best Student Audio Feature Nominated
Prizewinner
New York Festivals Radio Awards[24] Best Student Documentary Bronze
I Love Student Radio Awards Most Committed Committee Member Nominated
Outstanding Contribution Highly Commended
Moment of the Year Nominated
Spirit of Student Radio Gold
Hero of the Moment Nominated
Community Radio Awards[25] Podcast of the Year Bronze
Speech & Journalism of the Year
Entertainment Show of the Year Nominated
Student Radio Awards[26] Best Event or Outside Broadcast Bronze
Best Podcast Silver
Best Interview
Best Producer Nominated
Best Journalistic Programming
Best Speech Show/Presenter
Best Music Show/Presenter Gold
Best Entertainment Show/Presenter Bronze
2021 The Charles Parker Prize[27] Best Student Audio Feature Nominated
Prizewinner
Prizewinner
Amplify Awards Team of the Year Silver
Community Radio Awards[28] Specialist Music Show of the Year Gold
Speech & Journalism of the Year
Student Radio Awards[29] Best Student Radio Station Nominated
Best Presenter
Best Newcomer Gold
Best Producer Nominated
Nominated
Best Station Branding Nominated
Best Speech Programming
Best Specilalist Music Programming
Best Entertainment Programming
2022 The Charles Parker Prize[30] Best Student Audio Feature Nominated
Prizewinner
New York Festivals Radio Awards[31] Best Student Documentary Nominated
Best Student Drama Program Bronze
Amplify Awards Best Student Media Collaboration Gold
The Student Radio Amplify Award Silver
Best Contribution to the Region
Outstanding Contribution Bronze
Student Radio Moment of the Year Nominated
Most Improved Station
Team of the Year
Hero of the Moment Nominated
Nominated
Gold
Best Training Initiative Silver
Best Promotional Initiative Nominated
Best Outreach Project Nominated
Nominated
The Coronavirus Resilience Award Bronze
Community Radio Awards[32] Young Person of the Year (under 25) Gold
Arts & Creative Radio of the Year Silver
Gold
Station of the Year Nominated
Student Radio Awards[33] Best Specialist Music Programming Bronze
Best Entertainment Programming Nominated
Best Event Programming Silver
Best Radio Station Gold
Best Journalistic Programming Nominated
The Diversity, Eqaulity & Inclusivity Award Nominated
Bronze
Best Speech Programming Silver
Nominated
Best Podcast Programming Nominated
Best Producer Nominated
Best Presenter Nominated
Bronze
Gold
Best Newcomer Silver
Gold
2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards[34] Best Student Documentary Silver
Nominated
Amplify Awards[35] Hero of the Moment Gold
Best Training Initiative Nominated
Best Promotional Initiative Bronze
Most Committed Committee Member Nominated
Team of the Year Nominated
Nominated
The Amplify Award Bronze
The Charles Parker Prize[36] Best Student Audio Feature Prizewinner
Prizewinner

Notable alumni

edit

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.

References

edit
  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Key Commitments, Licence number: CR000143BA" (PDF). Ofcom. July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "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)
edit