Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

Historical, social and cultural context

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

The radio station offered by the BBC before 1967 were BBB Radio Home, BBC Radio Light and BBC Third.

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

The BBC radio was reorganised as they were concerned that music on the radio would mean no one would buy any music resulting to the law 'Needle time' were only 5 hours of music were allowed to be played. However a new station was released called Pirate radio were they played more that 5 hours of music.

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

Pirate radio was a new radio that played more than 5 hours of music its was gaining popularity as it didn't follow the restrictions about music gaining the attention of many teens and taking over the jobs of BBC.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

The pirate broadcasting stopped in 1967 because the the Marine Broadcasting Act officially outlawed the pirate radio station, the Government had closed the legal loophole that allowed these stations to broadcast. This mean all their audience had to go to BBC 1 if they wanted to listen to popular music.

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

The BBC attracted young people after the pirate radio station was closed down as the pirates were employed by the BBC radio 1, this resulted to all their fans following them to listen to BBC radio 1.

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

'Needle time' was a law introduced to all radio stations where they were only allowed to play 5 hours of music per day. This was a problem for BBC radio because teenagers mostly listen to popular music rather that discussions or news as they found it more entertaining.

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

Radio 1 offers different content to previous  BBC radio station as it used the BBC remit of inform, entertain and educate. This provides a range of different content for many teenagers to listen to and find interesting.

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 of BBC radio 1 was Tony Blackburn. Radio 1 DJs cause upset initially at the traditional BBC as it was seen as cool catching the attention of many and it was view as different from Pirate Radio. Also, it was broadcasted at the same time as radio 2.

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

The experts from Tony Blackburn's first broadcast might appeal to a younger range of audience as it was seen as a positive and quite friendly radio presenter who had the energy to introduce many different artists and popular songs that are presented in an unique way.

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

The conventions that Tony Blackburn borrowed from pirate radio was its style, this made it different from previous BBC radio content but failed as it was presented as more formal not catching the attention of young people leaving a not so very positive review.

Audience and industry

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

The target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967 were young people/listeners.

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

Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners as the popular demand for a longer period of music however needle time prevented this making it illegal resulting in young listeners to loosed interest in the radio.

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

The audience pleasures that Radio 1 offered listeners in 1967 were diversion/ entertainment as the radio kept the audience busy from their daily problems and were able to escape their daily lives for a few moments. Vicarious pleasure might also be seen as the audience may feel a physical thrill from different popular music being listened to.  

4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC are funded through the licence fee, which was £4 a year in 1960s

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

Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, the preferred reading of BBC Radio 1 would be that it was a radio which applied inform, entertain and educate that intrigue a vary of audience, gaining enough popularity so that many people view its as a luxury to listen to BBC 1. This shows that many young people view it as cool as it has enough music to entertain them as well as well balanced so that they could listen to different news and learn new information.

However, the oppositinal reading of BBC Radio 1 would be that it was presented as boring and basic loosing the interest of many audience as well as their target audience, teenagers. There isn't enough music to entertain the teenagers causing them to not listen to Radio 1 and making it loose its popularity. Radio 1 doesn't have much use in the 1960s and was only rarely listens to, as well as this, not many people were able to afford it due to not having enough money or coming from an upper class background.