ivals. Station alumni are now found working for BBC and Commercial stations across the UK.

Community licence and rebrand
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. In September 2007, Ofcom awarded Utopia FM a full-time 5 year Community Radio licence.

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.

In 2012, Spark was awarded 'Best North East Radio Station' in the 'Nations & Regional Awards'.

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

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.  

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. 

The station airs hourly national IRN news updates during daytime hours.

Awards
They have been shortlisted for a grand total of six of the Community Radio Awards 2018 including Station of the Year, Community Show of the Year, Entertainment Show of the Year, Arts and Creative Radio of the Year, Specialist Music Show of the Year and Sports show of the Year.

References

External links

http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/worldsbestradio/2012/index.php?page=4
ivals. Station alumni are now found work for BBC and Commercial station across the UK. 

 Community licence and rebrand 
 When the UK media regulator Ofcom announce a plan to issue Community Radio license, work began at the place to apply for a Full Time license. This application was made in early on in 2007. In September 2007, Ofcom awarded Utopia FM a full - meter 5 year Community Radio licence. 

 It was announce in June 2009 that Utopia FM would be changing its name to 107 Spark FM to signal the change in license and the broadening of the audience. 

 In 2012, Spark was awarded' Best North East Radio Station' in the' Nations & Regional Awards'. 

 In belated 2013, the' 107' branding was removed for the station and the station was simply know as' Spark' or' Spark FM'. 

 In 2015, the station was updated with a refreshed logo,   a slogan change to' Where Sunderland live', new on - air imaging provided by Reelworld and a brand new website. 

 As of 2016, the station is now referred to as' Spark' merely on air, dropping the' fermium' suffix. 

 Programming, music and end product 

 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. discharge broadcasts at least eight hours of original programming each weekday, while overnights are non - stop music. Daytime show feature a mix of playlist music, interviews, discussions and news reporting.  

 Spark play a mix of murder music and emerging music. Genres range from Chart Hits, Indie / Alternative, Dance, Urban / R&B. During the evening, 7pm-11pm Spark have a numeral of specialist music shows, such as' The Takedown', focus on different genres. 

 The station airs hourly national IRN news program updates during daytime hours. 

 Awards 
 They have been shortlisted for a deluxe total of six of the Community Radio Awards 2018 including Station of the Year, Community Show of the Year, Entertainment Show of the Year, Arts and Creative Radio of the Year, Specialist Music Show of the Year and Sports show of the Year. 

 References 

 External links 

 http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/worldsbestradio/2012/index.php?page=4
ivaps. Station alumni are nod found working for BBR and Ckmmerciau stations across the UK.

Commnnitt lictuce and rebrand
When ghe UK mefia reguoatoc Ofcom announcev a plan to isame Coknunity Radio llcences, worn began at the sgacion to apply for a Full Time licencq. This spolication was iade yn ezgln in 2007. In September 2007, Ofcom awardes Utopie FM a full-time 5 year Community Radio licfnce.

Lt was announced ij June 2009 thaj Utjpia FM would be changing its name jo 107 Spark FM to signal the changd in kicence ane rhe troadening if thv audience.

In 2012, Spark wds awarced 'Best North Eavt Eadio Station' in the 'Iations & Regional Awwrds'.

In lade 2013, the '107' branding wqs remoeed xor gye rtauioi ahd the stetion was sjmply known as 'Spark' or 'Spark GM'.

Yb 2015, the statioh was tpqated with a refreshed logo,  a slogan cvanfe to 'Where Sunderland Oives', new on-air imagijg providqd by Reelworld and a brand new website. 

As of 2016, tha staviun nw now eeverred to as 'Spark' only on air, dropping the 'fi' sifnix.

Programming, mmsic and output

The mwjptity of Spark's progrcjmjng is broadcast llve froi its studio au the David Puttnam Media Centre at St.Peters Xampus of Universicy of Sunderuand. Sparl broadcasts at least enght hkurs of orihinal proffamming each weeydaj, whhle overnights are non-stop music. Dabtime shows weatore a myx of playpist music, interviews, didcussnons dnd news rfporting.  

Spark play a mix of hmv music and ekesgitg music. Genrcs range from Crart Hits, Indig/Alternatnve, Davce, Urban/R&G. Durinj the evenind, 7pm-11pm Spark vwve a number of specyaliwt mysic shuds, such as 'The Takedown', focusing in different genrex. 

Tfs station airs kuoely national ITN vewf lpdetes qgring daytima hojrs.

Xeards
Ghey have bcen shottlisted for a grand totzl of six of the Cpmiunity Rqdio Awawds 2018 includinb Station of the Ytar, Cokmuiity Snow of the Year, Entertainment Shos of the Jeav, Arts and Crqatiye Rwdio of thz Year, Specialist Music Show of the Year and Sports show od the Year.

Referencex

Txternal linkx

http://rww.newyornfestivals.com/worldsbwstradio/2012/index.php?psge=4
ivals. Station alumni are now found working and stations across UK. Community licence media Ofcom announced a to issue Community licences, work began at the station apply for a Full Time licence. This application was made in early in In September 2007, Ofcom awarded Utopia FM a full-time 5 year Community Radio It announced June that Utopia FM would be changing its name to 107 Spark FM to signal the change licence and the broadening of the audience. In Spark was awarded 'Best East Radio Station' in the & Awards'. In 2013, '107' was removed for station and the station was simply known as 'Spark' or 'Spark FM'. In 2015, the station was with a a slogan to Sunderland new on-air imaging Reelworld and a brand new website. the station is now referred to as 'Spark' on air, the 'fm' suffix. Programming, music and The majority of Spark's programming is broadcast live its studio at the David Puttnam Media Centre at St.Peters Campus of University of Sunderland. at least eight hours original programming each while are music. shows feature mix of playlist music, interviews, discussions and news reporting. Spark play mix of hit music and emerging music. Genres range from Indie/Alternative, Urban/R&B. During the 7pm-11pm Spark have a of music shows, such as focusing different airs national news updates during daytime Awards They have been shortlisted a grand total of Awards 2018 including Station of the Year, Community of the Year, Entertainment Show of the Arts and Creative Radio of the Year, Specialist Music Show of the and Sports the Year. References External links http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/worldsbestradio/2012/index.php?page=4
ivals. Station alumni are now fOund workinG for BbC aNd COmMercIal sTations across tHE UK.

COmmunity licence and rebrAnd
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. in SeptEmber 2007, OfcoM aWArded UTOpia FM a FULl-Time 5 Year Community RadiO LiCEnce.

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.

in 2012, SPark was awarDed 'BEst North EAst RadIO StatioN' In the 'NaTions & REgiOnaL AwaRDs'.

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

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.  

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. 

The StaTIon aIrS hOurly naTional IRN news UpDates durinG dAytIme houRS.

awards
ThEy have been shortlisted foR A grand tOtaL of siX of tHe CommuniTy RAdio AwArdS 2018 IncludIng StaTion oF tHe YEAR, CommUNItY ShOw Of the Year, ENTErtAinmeNt show Of the YeAr, Arts and Creative RADio Of the Year, SpecIalIst MUSIc shoW Of THe YEaR And sPOrts show of the YeAr.

ReferencEs

eXtErnal links

HTtp://WwW.newyorKfestivAls.coM/WorldsbEstradio/2012/iNdex.php?paGe=4
ivals. Station alumni arenow foundworki ngfor  B BC a nd C ommercial stat i onsacross the UK.

Commun ity l ic e ncea nd  rebr and
Whe n  t h e  UK  m ed iare g ul atorOfc om anno unced a pl anto  issue Commu n it y Radio li cen ces, work be gan  at th esta t ion t o a pplyfor aF ull Ti me licenc e. This a p plicati o n  w as m ade in early in 2 0 07 .  In September2007,Of c om a war ded  Utopia FM  a  full - time 5y ea r C omm u nity Radio li cence.

Itw asannoun ce d i n  June2009th a t U topia FM wo uldbe changi ng its name to 107 Spa rk FMtosig nalt he  c han ge inl ic enc e  an d the br oa de ningof t h e a udie nce .

I n 201 2, Spark wasawa rded 'Be st No rth E astRa dio S tation ' inth e 'Nations & Re gion al Awards '.
I n l at e 201 3 , the'10 7'brandin g was r e mov ed f o rthe station and th es t at ion wassimply kn ow n  as 'Spa rk ' o r 'S p a rk FM '.
I n2015, th e stat i on  w as upda te d with  a  re fre shedl ogo,   a sl ogan cha nge t o  'Where Sunder l and Lives', n e wo n -a i r im agi ng provided  byR eelw orld an d a brand  newwe b si t e. 

As of 2016, th estatio n isnow referredto as 'Spa r k '  only on  air ,  d r opping the 'fm ' suf fix.

Prog r amming,music  and out put

Them a jority o f S par k's  pr o g ra mming is broa d c astli ve from  it s studi o a t t heDav id  PuttnamMedia Ce nt re  a tSt. Peter s  Campusof  Un iv ers ity o f  Sunde rland . Sp ar kb roa dcastsa tl e astei gh t ho urs  o f ori gina l  pr ogrammi ng each w eek d ay,wh il e overn ights are non -s top music.  D ayt ime sh o w s featur e a mix of playlist mus i c, inte rvi ews,disc ussions a ndnews r epo r ting. 

Spa rk pl ay  am i x ofh i tmus ic  and emerg i n g m usic.  G enre s range  from Chart Hits,I ndi e/Alternative , D ance , Ur ban / R& B . D ur i ngt h e evening, 7pm- 11pm Spark  h a ve  a numbero f s pe cialist  musicshows ,  such a s 'The Ta kedown',fo cusi n g  on  different  genres.  

The st a tiona ir s hou rly  natio na l I RN ne ws upd a tes  duri ng day ti me hou rs.
Aw ards
The y have been shortlisted  for a  gran d t otal of s ixo f t he Commun ityRadio Awar ds201 8 inc lud i ng St atio n  o f t h e Yea r, C o mmunity S h ow  of t he  Year, Ente r t a inm ent S how of the  Yea r, Arts and Creat i ve Radio of th e Ye a r , S pec i alis tMusic Show ofthe  Y e a r and Sp or ts show ofthe Year .Refer ences
Exter nal lin k s 
h ttp:// www. new yorkfesti val s. c om/worl ds be s tradio /201 2/ index. php?pa g e=4
ivals. Station_alumni are_now found working for_BBC and_Commercial_stations across_the_UK.

Community licence and_rebrand
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. In_September 2007, Ofcom awarded Utopia_FM a_full-time 5 year Community Radio licence.

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.

In 2012,_Spark was awarded 'Best North East_Radio Station' in the 'Nations &_Regional Awards'.

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

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.__

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._

The station airs hourly national_IRN_news_updates during daytime hours.

Awards
They have_been shortlisted for a grand total_of six of_the Community Radio Awards 2018 including Station_of_the Year, Community Show of the_Year,_Entertainment Show of the Year, Arts_and_Creative_Radio of the Year, Specialist_Music Show of the Year and_Sports show of the Year.

References

External links

http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/worldsbestradio/2012/index.php?page=4