Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

 Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

There were pirate radio stations offered to audiences before the launch of radio 1 in 1967.

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

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.

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

There was a growth in the popularity of 'pop' music as it became more enjoyable so 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?

They were outlawed by the government ton help improve the popularity of the new radio stations, even though people favourited pirate radio more, making it difficult for them to operate.

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

They forced the young audiences to listen to Radio 1 as there was no other possible way to listen to the music they loved from the artists they loved by hiring the DJs from pirate radio, thus bringing many of their loyal listeners with them and that is how they gained their popularity.

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

'Needle Time' was a rule where they could only play music for a certain amount of time (5 hours) and then they would have to follow on with a different media source such as drama, which was a problem as music was favourited by the audience and would upset them if only permitted to play for a certain amount of time rather than all day long like pirate radio stations would do.

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

It offered continuous popular music and easy listening, going against the disliked rule of 'needle time'.

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 and they caused upset because of sexual offences by one of the DJs.

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

Because their new service provides light, pop and all genres of music that younger audiences prefer and the music plays all day long.

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

The no needle time concept, which was different from before because they couldn't listen to music all day long before and they could send messages to their friends via PO boxes on the radio.

Audience and industry

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

They targeted young audiences and the median age of listeners for radio 1 were around the age of 32.

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

Because there weren't many young listeners at the time so they couldn't meet their target.

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

It met the personal relationship theory with the audience as they made it have a traditional feel and stuck with tradition.

4) How is the BBC funded?

the BBC is funded through the compulsory licence fee (£159 now; it was around £4 a year in the 1960s). As everybody pays, then everybody should receive content suitable for their needs. 

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 for the audience to enjoy and learn from the things they provided and listen carefully to the great music they offered. However, the oppositional reading would be that they just copied the elements of pirate radio and cannot make things of their own as they are uncool.