Great North Radio, or G.N.R as it was sometimes called, launched in March 1989 using the AM frequencies of Metro Radio and Radio Tees [1]. This happened after the Metro Radio group decided to split the FM and AM frequencies. The station was broadcast on both frequencies rather than as two separate stations. GNR's output consisted of mellow music from the 1950s through to the 1980s, including current hits that fitted the format. There were also specialist programmes each evening, including Country Music, Jazz, and Classical.