Hits Radio’s national breakfast show is airing on the former Metro and TFM frequencies in the north east this week whilst Steve and Karen are on holiday.
Instead of the region’s only local show on the station, listeners are getting the established weekday Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt from London.
This is the first time Bauer has used the existing Hits Radio national breakfast show as cover on a large station like this, instead of a using a local cover presenter.
Until recently, at least one local show had to be broadcast but the new Media Act now allows 24/7 programming from outside the TSA.
Listeners have been quick to let Steve and Karen know what they think of the stand-in show on their Facebook page, with the majority of comments not liking the alternative offering.
No introduction or split link was offered at the start of the week to explain the change, although the three presenters are already known to regional listeners via a networked weekend show.
Next week, the Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt will also air on the former Hallam FM frequencies as Big John takes a break.
Bauer did not comment on the move when asked by RadioToday.
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