Radio 1 Launch CSP

 Historical, social and cultural context

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?

Before 1967 there were three radio stations offered by BBC which were BBC radio home (1939-1967) broadcasting education programmes and news, BBC radio light (1945-1967) broadcasting mainly light and entertainment and music, and BBC third (1946-1970) broadcasting intellactual arts-based talk and music.

2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?

On 30 september 1967, the light programme was split into Radio 1 offering continuous "popular" music and Radio 2 for more "Easy Listening". The third programme became Radio 3 offering classical music and cultural programming. The home servcie became Radio 4 offering news and non-musical content such as quiz shows, readings, dramas and plays.

 3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?

Pirate stations did not have restrictions (such as needle time) imposed on them because the law was difficult to apply offshore, so they could play more music and they played more "pop" music which appealed to the younger audience. They were therefore more popular with young people than the BBC.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

In 1967, the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act officially outlawed pirate radio stations therfore pirate stations were banned to play music offshore. 

5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?

Many of the pirate station broadcasters were then employed by BBC Radio 1, thus bringing many of their loyal, young listeners and music tastes with them.  

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?

Needle time in 1967 meant they could only play five hours of music per day and since pirate radio didn't follow this restriction, more of their audience listened to that instead of BBC. This was a problem for BBC Radio as most of the  young audiences would listen to pirate radio stations instead of BBC Radio. 

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?

BBC Radio 1 offered only popular music that appealed to a younger audience rather than the previous radio stations which were considered "boring" and "not cool" as they would only play classical music, or broadcast news, arts-talk and education programmes which to to younger audiences did not appeal therefore they would listen to pirate radio. 

8) Who was the first presenter for BBC Radio 1 and why did these new Radio 1 DJs cause upset initially at the traditional BBC?

The first presenter for BBC Radio 1 was Tony Blackburn, these new Radio 1 DJs upset the traditional BBC as the genre of music completely changed from Classical music to Pop music and the style of the show completely changed from having an ultra formal presentation style to a more relaxed, laidback style that suited these new DJs that came from pirate radio to satisfy their loyal listeners. 

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?

It might have appealed to young listeners because of the Pop music they played which appealed to young people, the sound effects which could make the Radio more entertaining and the DJs from pirate radio which made the show much more entertaining due to the DJs relaxed, upbeat and fun presentation style that differed to BBC Radio's previous shows. 

10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?

The urban/pop music, sound effects, entertainment, more of a fun, upbeat presentation style which attracted more young audiences to listen to Radio 1. 

Audience and industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?

BBC Radio 1 target audience in 1967 was young adults/teenagers as all the other age groups were satisfied with their radio programmes and listened to them however the younger audience didn't feel like any of the radio stations was their music taste therfore the BBC decided to change their Radio stations making sure they could attract all age groups to listen. 

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?

Initially Radio 1 struggled with getting young listeners due to pirate radio going on as pirate radio attracted the young audience due to their unique, fun and entertaining music style which Radio 1 tried to copy yet failed as pirate radio appealed to the young audience more. 

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).

Radio 1 offers surveillance from BBC Radio 1 as it keeps listeners informed on current day events as well as personal identity which allowed listeners to relate to the DJs. 

4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by how much the UK charges for a TV license, which in the 1960s was £4 a year whereas now for a standard TV license it costs £159. 

5) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would the preferred and oppositional reading have been of BBC Radio 1 in 1967? 

The preferred reading is that the music they play is the newest and most popular music made for young people and that their presentaion style is laidback, entertaining. The oppositional reading is that all young people listen to their music and that  young audiences actually found the show boring and 'not cool'.