Radio: Launch of Radio 1 CSP case study

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

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

Pirate radio was mostly popular with young audience such as young adults and teens as they played pop music all day while other radio stations weren't made until 1973. 

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

BBC Radio Home broadcasting education programmes and news was replaced by Radio 4. BBC Radio Light broadcasting mainly light entertainment (comedy / drama) and music was replaced by Radio 2. BBC Third broadcasting intellectual arts-based talk and classical music was replaced by Radio 3. In September 1967, BBC Radio 1 was launched. 

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

Pirate radio was radio that was broadcasted from the sea so the law needle time wouldn't affect them and they would be able to play pop music all day and it was popular unlike the BBC as it allowed audiences to listen to music for more then 5 hours.  

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

Pirate radio became banned by the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act which told them that they were not able to broadcast their music overseas anymore.

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

The BBC hired pirate radio DJs such as Tony Blackburn to attract and bring his old listeners to Radio 1. BBC Radio 1 had no competitors as there were no other radio stations and it would've gained popularity either way as pirate radio was also banned.

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

Needle Time was a law that record companies persisted with because they believed that if music was played all day people wouldn't buy CDs or tapes. This meant that there was a certain length you could publicly broadcast music which was 5 hours. This was a problem for the BBC because it meant that for the rest of the day they would have to broadcast talk shows and pirate radio was gonna be more popular.

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

BBC Radio 1 was targeted towards younger audiences, mostly those who listened to pirate radio as it plays pop music for teens.

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?

Tony Blackburn, fans were upset as he used to work for pirate radio.

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

The broadcast has many pop songs that were popular during the 60s which were very trendy amongst younger listeners.

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

 

Radio 1 tried  copying the pirate radio’s style. Some young people weren't happy to this and in result they tried putting music on or try to use the needle time way,also done competitions and shout outs  which would attract customers. 

Audience and industry

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

It was teenagers/young adults that listened to pirate radio.

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

It wasn't seen 'cool' by many people as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative value.

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

Personal Identity - the radio show allowed them to do write  shout outs and it was a form of communication in the 1960s.

Entertainment - along with the music, the radio show had small talking segments which would be amusing for listeners. The competitions would also allow them to have fun listening to the show.

4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by the TV licence. Also funded by government.

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 of Radio 1 is that they attracted teenagers with there music and gave them the newest and popular sounds. The oppositional reading is that is only targeted  teenagers and people werent interest in it as much anymore and that it wasn't getting as much views because they only targeted younger people.