About Durham OnAir

Our Story

Durham OnAir is your truly local radio station, serving the vibrant communities of County Durham, Darlington and the wider North East of England. Launched on November 5, 2020, our mission was clear: to fill the void with a dedicated local radio service, providing tailored programming for both residents and businesses of Durham and the North East. We are proud to be a reliable and trustworthy voice for the county, delivering local news, engaging chat, and Just Great Music. 

Durham OnAir is committed to reflecting and enhancing the rich cultural life of this amazing region.

What You'll Hear

We bring you "Just Great Music" from the last five decades, carefully curated to provide the perfect soundtrack to your day. Beyond the music, you'll find a diverse range of programming, including:

• Local and National News: Stay informed with the latest happenings in County Durham, the North East, and beyond.

• Local Chat and Conversations: Engaging discussions and insights into the issues that matter to our community.

• Sport Coverage: We keep you up-to-date with North East sport, with live commentary from Spennymoor Town FC for all their league games. 

• Competitions and Entertainment: Fun ways to win and enjoy your listening experience with our dedicated team of local presenters.

• Specialised Programmes: Exploring a wide range of genres and interests from specialist shows focusing on the 70's, 80's, Rock, Jazz, Country and Soul!

Who We Are For

Durham OnAir is for everyone in County Durham, Darlington and the surrounding North East, whether you're at home, at work, or on the go. We are dedicated to providing a service that resonates with the unique spirit of our listeners. We hope to connect with a broad range of people through shared loves and shared interests. 

We also serve as a vital link for independent local businesses, offering a direct way to connect with customers through effective advertising, sponsorship, and promotional opportunities.

How to Listen

You can tune into Durham OnAir in a variety of ways, ensuring you never miss a moment:

• DAB Digital Radio: Find us across the North East, including Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside, Darlington, and South Durham. Our DAB coverage is continuously expanding across the county.

• Online: Listen live directly from our website at durhamonair.com.

• Mobile App: Download the "Durham OnAir" app for free on your iOS or Android device. Our app is compatible with Apple CarPlay, allowing you to listen seamlessly in your car.

• Smart Speakers: Just say, "Alexa, Enable The Durham On Air Skill," and then "Start Durham On Air" or "Play Durham On Air" to listen on your Amazon Echo device.

• Radioplayer UK: We are also available through the Radioplayer platform. You can enjoy Radioplayer on Amazon Firesticks, in your car, through your smart phone or at your PC. 

Why?

The communities in the North East are diverse and individual. Darlington is different to Durham, Stockton is different to Newcastle, Sunderland is different to Barnard Castle. While we all love being from the North East, the North east isn't just one place. While Newcastle, Teesside and Sunderland have always had strong media coverage, Durham has always been left out. BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees do fantastic work, but with Durham sitting right in the middle, it is often forgotten and relegated in favour of it's more metropolitan counterparts. Durham OnAir exists to ensure that all things "Durham" get the coverage they deserve. 

Local radio was born in Durham

Local radio in the City and County of Durham has a rich and varied history. The very first BBC Local Radio station was based here in Durham. BBC Radio Durham was launched in 1968 from studios in Neville's Cross, but it was a short-lived experiment, closing in 1972 as part of a BBC restructuring that saw it absorbed into BBC Radio Teesside (now BBC Radio Tees). For many years after, the area was primarily served by regional stations like Metro Radio and later by community-focused services. In the 1990s, the landscape changed again with the arrival of independent local radio and student radio. Durham FM launched in 2005, broadcasting from studios in the city centre. It was later rebranded as Star Radio and then Radio Durham, reflecting a series of ownership changes and evolving brand identities. Durham was without it's own dedicated local radio station for a few years, until we came along in 2020. We're trying to do things differently, while honoring what came before.  We hope you'll join us and come along for the ride. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Durham OnAir not available on FM? 

Ofcom, the organisation that regulates broadcast media in the UK, are no longer granting any new FM licences. This is part of a wider plan to eventually close all FM services, so that all radio is broadcasting on a digital platform. 

Why is Durham OnAir not available on DAB in Durham City

For us to be heard on DAB, we need transmitters to be built to give services like us the ability to broadcast to certain areas. The creation of these transmitter sites is part of an application process that is controlled by OFCOM. Durham has not yet been granted a DAB Mux operation licence, which means local DAB services are not yet available in and around the city. If you are in Durham, please listen to us through our smart phone apps and your smart speaker. Details are here. We hope to be on DAB across Durham City very soon. It's one of our top priorities and there are conversations happening behind the scenes to ensure this can become a reality. 

Are you looking for presenters? 

We are always looking for new people to join out team. Please get in touch in the first instance via email to info@durhamonair.com 

Can I advertise on Durham OnAir? 

Of course. We'd love to talk to you about our advertising options. Maybe we could run a promotion together? Or give away some great prizes with a competition! Please visit this page first. 

What is the stations music policy? 

We have a policy of Just Great Music. This means we play the best examples of genres and decades. If we're playing rock, we're playing the BEST rock. If we're playing 60's, it's the best music from the decade! You will probably know the lyrics to around 75% of our songs, and the rest will be a lovely suprise that you may be discovering for the first time. 

Do you play music from local bands?

Yes we do! Please send your music to info@durhamonair.com alongside some information about the artist. If they're local to County Durham that is even better!