Radio 1 Launch CSP

 Historical, Social and Cultural Contexts

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

BBC Radio Home (1939-1967),BBC Radio Light (1945-1967)  and BBC Third (1946-1970)

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

BBC reorganised and renamed their radio channels and launched Radio 1 offering continuous "Popular" music and Radio 2 for more 'Easy Listening'.

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

Pirate radio was a unregulated, unlicensed radio station that broadcasted pop music as it was becoming popular for young people as it is more informal unlike the BBC

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

 The 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act officially outlawed pirate radio stations which 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 DJs 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?

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 (a music licensing company) restricted the amount of recorded music that could be transmitted by the BBC during the course of any 24-hour period so they could only play music 5 hours a day this is called Needle Time

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

 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.

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 was Tony Blackburn and he was quite informal and chatty contrasting with the traditional BBC which was very formal which some viewed as unprofessional.

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

It appealed to young listeners as it was informal, upbeat pop music, casual slang and banter

10) How was Tony Blackburn's radio show more like pirate radio rather than traditional BBC radio content?

Tony Blackburn relied on unscripted chatter, upbeat jingles and conversational connection with his listeners just like pirate radio which was fully different to the traditional pre-written scripts in formal language.

Audience and Industry

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

The youth demographic

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

It could not match the vibrant, uninterrupted pop output of the offshore pirate radio stations.

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

Personal relationships-More chatty and informal like a friend, relative 'hanging out' listening to music

4) How is the BBC funded?
BBC is funded by the government that charges for tv license

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

Preferred reading-What producers want you to think 'cool' and innovative and new

Oppositional reading-People would think he's had 'sold out' or become part of establishment