radio 1 launch day Flashcards
BBC radio 1 launch
The launch of Radio 1 was an event of historical and social significance and an important turning point in the history of radio.
the history of BBC radio:
elevision was not yet universally available and radio was the key entertainment device. The radio provision in the mid-1960s was:
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.
BBC: funding
the BBC is funded through the compulsory licence fee (£154.50 now; it was around £4 a year in the 1960s). As everybody pays, then everybody should receive content suitable for their needs.
growth of pirate radio impact on BBC
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.
In response, 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’.
The “Third” programme became Radio 3 offering classical music and cultural programming. The Home Service became Radio 4 offering news, and non-musical content such as quiz shows, readings, dramas and plays.
historical context: the 1960s and pirate radio
There were changing attitudes to music and youth culture in the early 1960s. ‘Pop’ music was becoming more popular and attitudes in young people were becoming more relaxed. 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.
needle time invention:
There were concerns that too much music on the radio would mean that people would no longer buy records, so 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. This was called ‘Needle Time’ and in 1967 meant 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 - and so could play more music. They were, therefore, more popular with young people than the BBC.
BBC launch day: successful?
When first launched in 1967, Radio 1 was not as popular as the BBC had hoped.
There were a number of reasons why Radio 1 was not a success initially:
It was not seen as ‘cool’ by many young people as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative values.
It struggled financially as there was no increase in the licence fee to pay for this extra radio station.
Whilst Radio 1 tried to copy the pirate radio’s style, it didn’t quite do it effectively . Some young people didn’t respond positively to this.
pirate radio closed
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.
employees:
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 vs BBC
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.
the launch day opener: Tony blackburn
Tony Blackburn was the DJ for the first ever show on Radio 1. He had worked on the pirate ships with Kenny Everett and were asked to design the studio to grab that young, pirate radio audience.
acces to radio in 1967:
radio had to be consumed at the time of broadcast- live only- can’t be replayed.
broadcasts were available only from 5:30 am to 2:00 am.
radio was consumed through radios in the home or small portable radios with a small aerial to pick up the signal.
music was generally consumed through radio as there was less disposable income- not able to but vinyls or equipment.
access to radio now:
Radio can be consumed in a variety of ways i.e. online/streamed, downloaded, digital, traditional radio frequency.
Radio can be consumed live or on catch-up.
Radio can often be consumed anywhere in the world i.e. listening to global radio stations from UK.
T
here are thousands of radio stations we have access to providing niche products and services.
Pirate radio is back with the advent of online broadcasting.
Music is now streamable and downloadable to our devices. We do not need radio to listen to music.
