Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

BBC home, BBC light and BBC Third

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

BBC radio1, BBC radio 2, BBC radio 3 and BBC radio  4 where the new stations and they were divided into different categories like music, education and art and music.

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

Pirate radio was a radio station targeted to ages 15-29 and was really popular as it had some of the best DJs, at that time, on it and was run all day everyday.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

There legal status was unclear.

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

The BBC hired many of pirate radios popular DJs so the younger audiences came over to the BBC as their favourite DJs were there now.

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

Needle time was a 5 hour window and it was the only time the BBC could play music on the radio as record owners were concerned it would effect sales on their records but it would lead to them finding out it would boost record sales.

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

As before the BBC was seen as 'uncool' by the youth and it changed massively when the new DJs came in and the BBC radio 1 became very popular.

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. The new DJs caused a rut as the style of the new radio 1 was very similar to pirate radio.

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

It would of appealed to the younger audience as tony was very popular and it would of been a surprise to many seeing him on the new Radio 1 as the past alternative to this was seen as 'uncool'.

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

As the previous BBC radio was seen as uncool but Radio one, by the 1970-80s, was booming and was getting millions of views

Audience and industry

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

The target audience was from ages 15 to 29.

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

As it was seen as 'uncool' compare to the popular pirate radio.

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967?

They offered popular and famous DJs of the 60s to play popular pop music.

4) How is the BBC funded?

Money raised from the tv licence fee.

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've been the BBC trying to be cool and attract younger audiences and the oppositional reading would've been the younger audiences wanting to listen to pirate radio and thinking the BBC was rubbish and uncool.