Radio CSP

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

The BBC offered many different radio stations to the audience before 1967 such as BBC Radio Home during 1939-1967. This broadcasted education programmers and the news. This type of radio is mainly speech-based. Also, BBC Radio Light 1945-1967, which mainly highlighted light programmers such as comedy and drama. Finally, BBC Third, from 1946-1976, this broadcasted intellectuals arts-based talk and music.

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

• BBC Radio Home was replaced by Radio 4.
• BBC Radio Light was replaced by Radio 2.
• BBC Radio Third was replaced by Radio 3

These new stations were introduced as the old stations didn't appeal to a younger audience - they weren't seen as cool and were too formal.

 

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

 Pirate Radio is a specific radio broadcasting. Pirate radio stations were offshore radio stations, meaning that British radio restrictions did not apply to them. This meant they were able to avoid 'Needle Time', where stations could only play five hours of music per day (out of the fear that records would become obsolete and unpopular as a result), and were therefore more popular with young people than the BBC.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967? 

Pirate radio stopped broadcasting in 1967 after the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act passed in the same year, which officially outlawed pirate stations. The Government was able to close the legal loophole that allowed these stations to broadcast. This meant that fans of popular music had to go to BBC Radio 1 instead if they wanted to listen.

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

The BBC attracted young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down by the closure of pirate radio stations, as fans had to tune in to them to listen to the popular music pirate stations were previously streaming. They also 'stole' (employed) some of the pirate station DJs, bringing many of their 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? 

'Needle Time' was a restriction placed on the BBC where they were only allowed to play 5 hours of music a day. This was passed by Musicians' Union and Phonographic Performance Limited, a music licensing company, after concerns that too much music on the radio would mean that people no longer buy records.

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

Compared to previous BBC stations, BBC radio 1 was more formal and controversial. They had tony Blackburn present/DJ which meant that the younger audiences were able to respond and resonate with him (personal identity).

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 for BBC Radio 1 was Tony Blackburn. These new Radio 1 DJs initially caused upset as they were much less traditional in comparison to the more formal, previous BBC radio stations, and added comedy aspects to Radio 1.

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

It may have appealed to young listeners as Tony Blackburn added a comedic aspect (diversion) with sound effects, such as the animal noises and the kneecap joke. The station played music all day, and introduced competitions, such as the competition to win a transistor radio. Blackburn also called out the address, encouraging audiences to send him letters that he could then read out - this acted as a form of audience interaction. He was also previously on Radio Caroline, a pirate station, so some of his listeners may have moved to Radio 1 alongside him. Radio 1 may have also appealed to young listeners as they might hear their favourite artist or band, appealing to their sense of personal identity.

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

Tony Blackburn's show was more like pirate radio as it was informal and conversational, and played popular music all day, which traditional BBC didn't do. Traditional BBC content was seen as much more traditional and therefore boring by younger audiences, so Radio 1 presented itself in the opposite way to attract younger audiences.

Audience and industry

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

In 1967, the target audience for BBC Radio 1 was young people who were listening to pirate radio.

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

Initially, Radio 1 struggled to attract young listeners because it was not seen as cool by them, as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative values. BBC Radio 1 also had to be broadcast simultaneously with Radio 2, so it had to have a more formal style than the pirate broadcasters. This made it more unpopular with young listeners.

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

Diversion

• Tony Blackburn's jokes
• The fact it plays music all day
• The use of background music and sound effects
• Animal noises, 'kneecap' joke
• Introduction of competitions
• Competition to find the clues and win a transistor radio

Personal Relationships

• Tony Blackburn was previously on Radio Caroline
  

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. Given the growth of pirate radio in the mid-1960s, the BBC realised that it was not providing content for this growth market of younger people. 

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

In 1967, Stuart Hall's Reception theory suggests BBC Radio 1 would have likely elicited a preferred reading of youthful and modern entertainment., reflecting a shift in British culture and challenging the more established, staid programming of the time. 

Grade 8/9 extension tasks

Look at this BBC Radio 1 timeline from its launch in 1967 to today. What do you notice has changed in BBC radio over those 50+ years?  

I've noticed in the changes in BBC Radio over the past +50 years is that its gotten more up to date in coloration and also video editing. 

Read this Guardian interview with the second DJ to broadcast on BBC Radio 1. How does he describe the 1960s and his move to the BBC? 

The BBC is a public service broadcaster. What does this mean and why is it an important part of the history of BBC Radio 1?