Radio: Launch of Radio 1 - Tony Blackburn CSP

Radio 1 Launch: 

Lesson slides

You can find the slides for the lesson here.

Radio 1 Launch CSP: 

Work through the following questions to complete your first Radio case study on the launch of BBC Radio 1 and radio in general:

Radio 

1. When was the last time you listened to anything on the radio? Do you remember which station?

2. Why do you not listen to the radio?

3. Is there anything radio stations could do that would attract young people like you?

4. Do you (or members of your family) have a subscription to any music streaming services like Spotify or Apple music? Which ones?

5. Why does the digital age (internet) mean that people do not listen to music on the radio anymore?

 

Historical, social and cultural context

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967? Name the radio stations and then say a little bit about what content (what was on each station).

The radio stations offered by the BBC before 1967 were...

2) How was the BBC reorganised in September 1967? (Have a look at Slide 14)

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular? (Remember that the ‘pirate’ part refers to the fact that DJs had to illegally broadcast from boats)

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

5) How did the BBC try to attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down? (Think of the ‘popular’ pop music that younger people wanted to listen to)

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio when they wanted to offer more music to young people?

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 disrupt the traditional BBC? (Think about why they didn’t seem to ‘fit’ the BBC reputation in 60s)

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners? (Think about what he talks about and what is played)

10) What things 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 - if you cannot remember this it is on your media glossary and is also on slide).

4) How is the BBC funded? (Clue - we, the public, pay a L______ f_______)

5) The BBC has a remit (duty) to ‘inform, educate and entertain’. What do you think Radio 1 was trying to do to meet this remit (duty)? Is it mostly information based or educational or entertaining?