BBC Radio 1

Not to be confused with BBC Radio 1Xtra or BBC One.

BBC Radio 1 (often known as Radio 1) is an international radio station that is based in the United Kingdom. It is owned by BBC and BBC Radio. Radio 1 started broadcasting at 7.00 am on 30 September 1967. Tony Blackburn presented the first (later known as Breakfast) programme on the station. The station is meant to be listened to mainly by people aged 15–29.

BBC Radio 1
City of license	London
Broadcast area	United Kingdom - National
Slogan	Where It Begins
Frequency	FM: 97.7 MHz - 99.7 MHz (UK) DAB: 12B Freeview: 700 Virgin Media: 901 Sky: 0101 Tiscali TV: 600 UPC Ireland: 907 Sirius (USA & Canada): 11 Dish Network (USA): 6011 Live Stream Real/WM
First air date	30 September 1967
Format	Contemporary hit radio, news, entertainment, speech, showbiz
Audience share	9.8% (Dec 2009)
Owner	BBC BBC Radio
Website	BBC Radio 1

Before the launch of Radio 1, the BBC ran three radio stations (the BBC Light Programme, the BBC Home Service and the BBC Third Programme), but these were considered old fashioned and were closed down in 1967. They were replaced with Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The launch of Radio 1 in 1967 was because of the popularity of pirate radio stations such as Radio Caroline. They had been outlawed by Act of Parliament, and the BBC needed to provide alternative radio stations.

Radio 1 also has a sister station, BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Programming

The daytime shows (Monday-Thursday 4.00 - 19.00, Friday 4.00 - 18.00, Saturday 6.00 - 16.00 and Sunday 6.00 - 19.00) are very speech-focused and use an extensive playlist to introduce unknown and emerging material alongside more established, top 40 hits from the recent past (usually in a 5-year cycle).

The nighttime shows focus specifically on new music, with each show devoted to a particular genre. These genres include electronica, dance, hip-hop, rap and rock. All programs during this time are playlisted and presented by the DJs without any influence of the station's music editor.

Commitments

• At least 40% of music played in daytime are from British artists
• At least 50% of music played in daytime are not older than 12 months old each year, with continuous particular support for new and emerging UK artists alongside established acts
• 60 hours of specialist music per week
• Broadcast from at least 25 live events and festivals per year from the UK and abroad
• At least 250 new sessions each year
• 1 hour of news in daytime each weekday, including two extended bulletins

Other websites

• BBC Radio 1 at bbc.co.uk