Radio 1 Launch CSP

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

BBC radio 1.

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

BBC radio 1 was split into BBC radio 1,2,3: On 30 September 1967, the Light Programme was split into Radio 1 offering continuous "Popular" music and Radio 2 for more 'Easy Listening'.

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

Radio that was working on international waters where teens could steam pop music. it was popular because it played songs that would appeal to teenagers and there wasn't a radio on the BBC that did.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

It soon became illegal because there was worry that people would listen to pirate radio instead of legit radios like BBC.

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

they hired people from pirate radios to give their audience a sense of familiarity and also tried to mimic pirate radio style.

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

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. Pirate radios didn't have this restriction therefore they were more popular and limited this BBCs audience.

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

they had a young presenter named Tony Blackburn who spoke in an informal manner which appealed to young audiences more than the other radio stations..

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 caused some upset because he was very informal and liked to have conversations appealing to young audiences.

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

he talks in an informal manner, he makes jokes teenagers would find funny. he created diversion from reality for teenagers. He also made it easy for them to have parasocial relationships as he spoke as if he was talking to a friend.

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

He played songs that teenagers would like and 

Audience and industry

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

young adults specifically 15-20.

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

they didn't play music that a young audience would be interested in and they also had needle time which limited their audience.

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

Radio 1 offered entertainment with tony blackburn being the presenter he was very talkative which offers the audience.

personal relationships: people who knew tony blackburn from radio 1 would move along to bbc radio 1 with him.

4) How is the BBC funded?

by the license fee

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

Preferred: people would listen to radio 1 more often and would enjoy having tony blackburn as the presenter 

Oppositional: teenagers would stay away from the radio and use other streaming services.