BBC1 Radio is a British radio station operated by the BBC that primarily targets 15-29 year olds. It was established in 1967 to play chart hits and modern popular music throughout the day and more alternative genres after 7pm. In the 1970s, it became the most listened to station in the world with audiences over 10 million despite initial unpopularity. In the 1990s, it helped popularize Brit-pop bands like Oasis and Blur but later focused more on boy bands and chart pop. It remained popular with younger audiences though numbers declined overall in the 2000s.

1. BBC1 Radio – The history

2. What it is
BBC1 Radio is a British radio station that is operated by British Broadcasting Corporation. The
station Broadcasts internationally too and is primarily aimed at ages between 15-29.
Throughout the day the station plays chart hits and modern, popular music. However, after 7pm,
BBC1 Radio also provides more alternative genres of electronic, hip hop, rock, indie or
interviews.

3. History
Radio 1 was established in 1967, launched at 7am o Sunday 30th September , 1967. The first
Disc Jockey (DJ) to broadcast on Radio 1 was Tony Blackburn. His cheery attitude won him the
prime spot on what became ‘Radio 1 Breakfast Show’
1970’s Peak:
To begin with the radio station was unpopular with some of its target audience as it was aimedat
young people, however there were presenters such as Jimmy Young, who were in their 40’s.
another turn-off for the audience was that most of its air time was shared with Radio 2. Lastly,
Needle time restrictions meant they could not play as many records as other offshore stations.
Despite this, it became the most listened to station in the world, with audiences over 10 million.
In mid 1970’s, Radio 1 began touring summer live broadcasts – Radio 1 roadshow. This gained
some of the largest crowds of the decade.

4. 1990’s
“Loud‘n’proud” was the first UK’s radio station that was aimed at gay audience which was aired
in August 1993. The show was a surprise hit and led to the large outdoor Gay Pride event in
1994.
Many listeners rebelled when new DJ’s were introduced as there was a crossover from other
pats of the BBC that the audiences didn’t like. During this time many different presenters for the
breakfast show were hired and often sacked soon after realising they weren't right for the part.
However, with the ride of Brit-Pop in the mid 90’s, bands like Oasis, Blur and pulp were credible
at the time and helped with the stations popularity. However, the brit-pop boom died down and
later in the 1990’s chart pop came to dominate the charts with many boy bands and acts aimed
at teenagers. The rise of rave culture enabled the station to move into a youth-orientated
movement and brought in club DJ Pete Tongs.

5. 2000’s
Listening number continued to decline, however the station remained popular with the younger
audience.
In 2006 DJs Chris Moyles, Scott Mills and Zane Lowe all won gold Sony Radio Awards, while the
station itself won the best Station Award.
A new evening schedule was introduced in September 2006, this involved diving the week by
genre. Eg; Monday was mainly pop-funkrock-oriented, Tuesday was R&B and hip-hop, Thursdays
and Fridays were primarily dance, with specialist R&B and reggae shows.
In September 2012, Nick Grimshaw replaced Chris Moyles as host of "Radio 1's Breakfast Show”
In May 2015, Fearne Cotton left the station after almost 10 years. Her weekday morning show
was taken over by Clara Amfo.