Radio 1 Launch CSP: blog tasks

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?
BBC Radio Home  broadcasting education programmes and news. Mainly speech-based.
BBC Radio Light  broadcasting mainly light entertainment (comedy / drama) and music.
BBC Third  broadcasting intellectual arts-based talk and music.

2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?
The Light Programme was split into Radio 1 that plays "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?
Pirate radios were normal radio stations without official licenses.  They were popular for producing shows that young people wanted to listen to.

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
The 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?
Young people needed a station that played pop music. Many of the pirate station broadcasters then were then employed by BBC Radio 1, thus bringing many of the their loyal listeners with them.

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
There were concerns that too much music on the radio would mean that people would no longer buy records, so the  Musicians' Union and Phonographic Performance Limited restricted the amount of recorded music that could be transmitted by the BBC during the course of any 24-hour period. 

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?
Radio 1 also developed better content more suitable to the target audience of young people as it became more 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 producer for BBC Radio 1 was Tony Blackburn. This caused upset to fans initially because he was a pirate radio DJ.  

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?
He might of appealed to young listeners as he was a pirate DJ which a wide audience.
10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?

His personality was more easy going, friendly and enjoyable.

Audience and industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?
Young teens and adults.

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?
It was not seen as ‘cool’ by many young people as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative values.
3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).
Radio 1 offers surveillance to listeners of Radio 1 as it keeps them updated on current day music and news.
4) How is the BBC funded?
The BBC is funded through the compulsory licence fee (£154.50 now; it was around £4 a year in the 1960s). As everybody pays, then everybody should receive content suitable for their needs. 

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

The preferred reading for BBC 1 in 1967 was that it was popular and enjoyable for young people. Whereas the oppositional reading was that it was a radio station that tried to copied other pirate stations ideas and didn't stream the whole day.