What were the main radio stations for the BBC before Radio 1 in 1967?

Question

What music did it play? What were the names of the stations? Why did they suddenly have Radio 1 full of pop music in 1967? Do you have any websites of the history of BBC Radio? THANKS!

Answer 1

there's this documentary about Alexandra Palace in london that goes through the provincial stations like Manchester and Nottingham and the forming of Radio 1.  sorry im c**p with details but it was on BBc2 last year as part of a series.  im no help sorry...

Answer 2

Your first answer is wrong - there were BBC Radio stations about long before Radio 1.

There was the BBC Home Service, which was pretty much what Radio 4 is now - mainly speech programming, but also some music and schools programming. It was formed when the "National Service" and "Regional Service" combined.

The BBC Third Programme is what Radio 3 is now - playing mainly classical music, along with jazz, poetry and talks.

Finally, the BBC Light Programme is what Radio 2 is now -playing music & entertainment/comedy shows.

There were also some temporary BBC radio stations set up during World Wars and The Gulf War.

Answer 3

Before Radio One they were as follows:

BBC Light Programme which had variety shows such as 'Midday Music Hall', light drama and comedy shows, soap operas such as the long running 'Mrs Dale's Diary' and also DJs playing mainly easy listening type music

BBC Home Service which was similar to what is now BBC Radio 4 - Drama,Talks,Documentaries and News

BBC Third Programme which was identical to what is now BBC Radio 3 - Classical music and high brow talks and drama

The reorganisation that led to the establishment of Radio One came after pirate radio ships such as Radio Caroline

broadcasting illegally from the North Sea, garnered huge audiences for their output of pop and rock music. Radio Luxembourg broadcasting legally from that small country with English DJs had also had huge audiences. It was the early dawn of youth culture.

Answer 4

When I was young in the 40`s. There was the "Light programme". That played all the modern music. In those days the list of the most popular music was called `The Hit Parade` Then came the"The Home Service" that dealt with everyday topics and discussions and drama. and then there was the "The third program." which played mainly classical music. If we wanted what to-day you call `Pop` music we would tune into "Radio Luxembourg"

Answer 5

Radio 1 was the first radio station from the bbc. They played loads of glorius music from the 60's. They were well trendy. Unlike now, when all they play is pap!!

Answer 6

BBC launched radio 1 to combat the pirate radio stations scattered round the coasts and giving us 24 hour music before that there had to be a percentage of non music progs on the Beeb