Radio 1 Launch CSP

 Historical, social and cultural context

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

BBC Radio Home (1939-1967) broadcasting education programmes and news. Mainly speech-based. Replaced by Radio 4. 

BBC Radio Light (1945-1967) broadcasting mainly light entertainment (comedy / drama) and music. Replaced by Radio 2.

BBC Third (1946-1970) broadcasting intellectual arts-based talk and music. Replaced by Radio 3.

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

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'.

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

the pirate stations were unlicensed and did not observe copyright law. they were important commercial players in promoting the popular music industry There was clearly a need for a radio outlet for this music with a less formal presentation style; but there was nothing on the BBC. This led to the growth of ‘pirate’ radio stations who could produce these shows for young people, but were beyond the control of regulators.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

 The 1967 the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act officially outlawed pirate radio stations. The Government had closed the legal loophole that allowed these stations to broadcast and these had a British audience of 10 to 15 million. This meant the audience had to go to Radio 1 if they wanted to listen to popular music.

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

Many of the pirate station broadcasters then 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.

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

There were concerns that too much music on the radio would mean that people would no longer buy records, so the  Musicians' Union and Phonographic Performance Limited restricted the amount of recorded music that could be transmitted by the BBC during the course of any 24-hour period. This was called ‘Needle Time’ and in 1967 meant they could only play five hours of music per day.

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

 Radio 1 also developed better content more suitable to the target audience as it became more popular. So it offers different content to previous BBC radio stations to inform , educate and entertain so it provides different content fro many people and teenagers.  

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 was the first voice heard on Radio 1, it caused upset as it was seen as popular and most known and listened to, and has different view of pirate radio.

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

it might appeal them if they put the music and instrument as they would think its cool and popular and an entertainment to them and also hear about the opening show and as they might watch it and get interested in it . 

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

Radio 1 tried to copy the pirate radio’s style, it didn’t quite do it effectively initially as it broadcast simultaneously with Radio 2 – so it had to have a more formal style than the pirate broadcasters.  Some young people didn’t respond positively to this. they tried putting music on or try to use the needle time way. 

Audience and industry

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

The Government had closed the legal loophole that allowed these stations to broadcast and these had a British audience of 10 to 15 million , and The BBC claim that they target the 15–29 age group

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

it was difficult for them to attract young listeners because teenagers only listened to pirate radio only for music and not to BBC industry. 

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

 It offers them entertainment as diversion content and personal relationship with pirate radio and teenagers as they can give them music. 

4) How is the BBC funded?

 It is funded principally by an annual television licence fee which is charged to all British households, companies.

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 BBC Radio 1 gave teenagers the newest and most popular music for their audience and tried to attract teenagers by music . 

The oppositional reading is that its mostly targeted for young audience and only young people listened to it as it mostly for entertainment as it also was loosing interest for many people . also shows us how pirate radio mostly took over and didn't give BBC radio 1 a chance as it got most of the listeners and entertained way more young audience and took the top place for teenagers.