Radio 1 Launch CSP

Historical, Social and Cultural Contexts

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?
BBC Radio Home, BBC Radio Light and BBC Radio Third.

2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?
The Light Radio was split into Radio 1 and 2.

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?
Pirate Radio was a radio that was targeted to younger audiences that has a less formal presentation that BBC. It was popular as it had been the only station that existed that had targeted younger audiences

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
The 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act officially outlawed pirate radio stations.

5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?
They used Tony Blackburn-a previous DJ from pirate radio-to perform for Radio 1 to try and make Radio 1 similar to pirate radio.

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
Needle time made it so that the BBC could only play music for 5 hours a day.

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?
BBC Radio one is only for entertainment purposes and not for information unlike other BBC 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 for BBC Radio 1 was Tony Blackburn which caused upset by traditional BBC DJs as they thought they were being replaced by new ones.

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?
The radio was upbeat, fast paced and more emphasised on music.

10) How was Tony Blackburn's radio show more like pirate radio rather than traditional BBC radio content?
Tony Blackburn used to be the DJ for pirate radio which is why BBC Radio had some qualities of pirate radio.

Audience and Industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?
Ages 15-29.

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?
It had to have a more formal style than pirate radio and people in 1967 didn't want a big company to take over everything and make it more for money.

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).
Radio 1 offered Diversion, Personal Identity and personal relationships but not Information as they wanted to target it to younger audiences.

4) How is the BBC funded?
The BBC is funded through TV licenses.

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 for BBC Radio is that they wanted it to be innovative and 'cool' to younger people. However, the oppositional reading is that Tony Backburn 'sold out' and BBC Radio 1 was just seen as a big Company that took over a unique idea.