Radio 1 Launch CSP

Historical, social and cultural context

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

The radio stations that were offered by the BBC before 1967 were BBC radio light and BBC radio light.

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

BBC radio was recognised in September 1967 by pirate station broadcasters. The new stations that launched was Radio 1 and Radio 2.

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

Pirate radio was regarded as the best place to hear new music and particularly urban music. It was popular because young people thought it was cool.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

Pirate radio stopped broadcasting in 1967 because 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?

BBC attracted young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down because many of the pirate station broadcasters then were then employed by BBC Radio 1, thus bringing many of the their loyal listeners with them.

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

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.

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. 

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 presenter for BBC Radio 1. It was not seen as 'cool' by many young people as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative values.

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

It had upbeat background music, which makes young people want to listen to them. It had more popular and newer music.

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

Style of presenting was more energetic and less uptight which is what some teenagers liked.

Audience and industry

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

The target audience for BBC 1 in 1967 was mostly teenagers and young adults.

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

It was not seen as cool by many young people. This is because they stood for traditional music.It struggled financially as there was no increase in the licence fee to pay for this extra radio station.

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 offer listeners in 1967 was diversion, relationships and identity.

4) How is the BBC funded?

BBC is funded through the compulsory licence fee (TV license).

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

What BBC wanted teenagers/young adults to think of BBC 1 was that it was cutting edge and completely for them whereas the teenagers didn't care much for it as they felt betrayed by their pirate stations being shut down.