Historical, social and cultural context
1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?
BBC Radio home 1939-1967
BBC Radio light 1945-1967
BBC Third 1946-1967
2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?
BBC Radio was reorganised because of piracy. The new stations launched were
Radio 4
Radio 2
Radio 3
3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?
Pirate radio was radio stations broadcasting from international waters. It was popular as there was a rule for radio stations playing only 5 hours worth of music but pirate radio played 24/7
4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
They were caught and sent a bill.
5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?
They played music that was suited for all people.
6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
A law and rule for radio stations in Great Britain to only play 5 hours of music a day.
7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?
At different times they would play different types of music 24/7 rather than 5 hours a day and one type of music.
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 BBC Radio 1 presenter was Tony Blackburn. This caused upset to the main tradition as it was not seen as cool, it struggled financially and they tried to make like a pirate radio channel but had to present it formally.
9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?
They made it sound like it was a pirate radio and put on pop music which appealed to the 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?
They used an intro to the radio station and an intro to the radio presenter Tony Blackburn. They also talked about giving freebies.
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?
It wasn't as fun as the pirate Radio because they had to play all types of music but the youngsters liked to listen to Pop music.
3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).
Personal Relationships - as it felt like you had a relationship with the Radio Presenters.
4) How is the BBC funded?
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 of Radio 1 would be that its a radio station which is aimed at everyone, young and old. It is mainstream.
The oppositional reading of Radio 1 would be that it is for a young mainstream audience as it mainly plays Pop music.
Pirate radio was radio stations broadcasting from international waters. It was popular as there was a rule for radio stations playing only 5 hours worth of music but pirate radio played 24/7
4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
They were caught and sent a bill.
5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?
They played music that was suited for all people.
6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
A law and rule for radio stations in Great Britain to only play 5 hours of music a day.
7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?
At different times they would play different types of music 24/7 rather than 5 hours a day and one type of music.
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 BBC Radio 1 presenter was Tony Blackburn. This caused upset to the main tradition as it was not seen as cool, it struggled financially and they tried to make like a pirate radio channel but had to present it formally.
9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?
They made it sound like it was a pirate radio and put on pop music which appealed to the 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?
They used an intro to the radio station and an intro to the radio presenter Tony Blackburn. They also talked about giving freebies.
Audience and industry
1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?
Young mainstream audience as Pop music appealed to them.
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).
Personal Relationships - as it felt like you had a relationship with the Radio Presenters.
4) How is the BBC funded?
The BBC is funded by the TV Tax
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 of Radio 1 would be that its a radio station which is aimed at everyone, young and old. It is mainstream.
The oppositional reading of Radio 1 would be that it is for a young mainstream audience as it mainly plays Pop music.