𝑅𝒶𝒹𝒾𝑜: 𝑅𝒶𝒹𝒾𝑜 𝟣 𝐿𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒸𝒽 𝒞𝒮𝒫

Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

• 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.
  

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

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. 

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

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

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

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

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

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

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

Audience and industry

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

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

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

4) How is the BBC funded?

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


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?

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?