Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

Pirate radio stations were operating without official licenses, which is what made them illegal. The 1967 Marine Broadcasting Act officially outlawed these stations, but pirate radio was already unlawful under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949.

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

On 30 September 1967, the BBC split the Light Programme into separate pop music and entertainment stations, becoming Radio 1 and Radio 2 respectively.

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?pirate radio was when a station did not have the credentials to produce radio, it was popular as it served a wider and younger audience.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

Pirate radio stations were operating without official licenses, which is what made them illegal. The 1967 Marine Broadcasting Act officially outlawed these stations, but pirate radio was already unlawful under the Wireless Telegraphy act of 1949.

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

Many of the pirate station DJs were then employed by BBC Radio 1, thus bringing many of the their loyal listeners with them. Commercial radio didn’t broadcast until 1973 so it had no competition. Radio 1 also developed better content more suitable to the target audience as it became more popular. In the 1970s and 1980s, Radio 1 became the most listened to station in the world with audiences regularly over 10 million. 

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio? This was called ‘Needle Time’ and in 1967 meant they could only play five hours of music per day. Pirate stations did not have these restrictions imposed on them because the law was difficult to apply offshore - and so could play more music. They were, therefore, more popular with young people than the BBC.

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations? In response, the BBC reorganised and renamed their radio channels. 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 Service became Radio 4 offering news, and non-musical content such as quiz shows, readings, dramas and plays. 

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?

Tony Blackburn opened Radio 1 on 30 September 1967 at 7.00am, with Robin Scott, then Controller Radio 1, standing over him!

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners? As he radiated positive energy and was friendly. Plus he presented music in fun and unique way.

10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?  Tony Blackburn's Radio show borrowed Pirate Radios idea by presenting in an energetic and fun way and he got the DJs that worked at Pirate Radio stations in his radio show. 

Audience and industry

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

The Radio 1 target audience in 1967 was young people who were listening to pirate radio. Today, the BBC Radio 1 target audience is 15-29 year olds but they are struggling to attract these listeners. The median age for a Radio 1 listener is 32 and only 41% of the audience today are aged between 15-29.

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners? content was not tailed for young people.

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory). The audience pleasures that Radio 1 offered listeners in 1967 were diversion/ entertainment as the radio kept the audience busy from their daily problems and were able to escape their daily lives for a few moments. Vicarious pleasure might also be seen as the audience may feel a physical thrill from different popular music being listened to.  

4) How is the BBC funded?  Its work is funded principally by an annual television licence fee which is charged to all British households, companies, and organisations using any type of equipment to receive or record live television broadcasts or watch using iPlayer.

5) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would the preferred and oppositional readings have been for BBC Radio 1 in 1967? The preferred reading would be be that the audience of pirate radio would start listening to BBC and young people would think BBC is cool and awesome whilst the oppositional reading would be that a young audience would think BBC is boring, out of date and for old people.