Radio Skerne Joins The Digital Age

PRESENTERS and listeners to Darlington Hospital Radio are now benefiting from a new computerised music and jingle system.

When there are no live shows from the station, Radio Skerne makes use of a computer system to provide music and entertainment.

The additional equipment, and extra facilities are now built into both the studios after recent refurbishment work.

John Forbes, Vice Chairman, explains why the station has chosen this path: "The station used to use an old cartridge based jingle system, but over time these units have broken down and replacement parts are hard to find because they are no longer made.

"The new computer system will be used to digitally store music and station jingles."

The new digital audio storage system allows presenters to have access to thousands of songs at the touch of a button.

The presenter only needs to type in a few words from the title and the computer will search through the database to find the correct track.

This allows presenters to have a telephone request playing within a few minutes of the caller getting in touch.

The automation system allows specialist shows to be put into the broadcast schedule.

Radio Skere is on-air 24 hours a day, with live shows every weekday 8-10pm and on a Sunday from 10am-10pm.