The History Of BBC Radio

Most people would agree that when they talk about radio stations, the first name that pops into their heads is BBC because of its popularity.  

Growing up, I used to listen to BBC Radio all the time. Not just because of the enriching content it had to offer, but listening helped me relax after a long and tiring day at school. Furthermore, since my mother is English, she highly encouraged me to listen to BBC Radio back in the day. 

That is why it will always have a special place in my heart. 

Last week, I tuned into BBC Radio to listen to some news when my younger son asked me what I was listening to. I realized that he didn’t know anything about BBC, despite me being part English. 

So, I thought it was about time I taught him everything about BBC Radio. Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I will be telling you about the history of BBC Radio.

If you are ready, let’s get started!

The Origins Of BBC Radio

It’s no news that the BBC is the oldest radio station globally, but you might not know that it is also the largest in terms of the number of employees. In fact, it is home to 20,950 full-time workers. But besides being a radio station, it is an enigmatic part of British culture.

The BBC, also known as the British Broadcasting Company, was founded on October the 18th, 1922, by a team of wireless radio manufacturers, including Guglielmo Marconi, the father of radio. The British Government initially licensed it through the General Post Office. 

You would be surprised to know that the General Post Office had a monopoly over the airwaves during that time. It was because the UK believed that it was the Post Office that used to provide radio frequencies. And even today, the island nation still views radio broadcasting as a major part of the Post Office’s services.

As far as the first BBC Radio broadcast is considered, it came from 2LO, Guglielmo Marconi’s studio in London. The first words that were heard were “This is 2LO Calling”, which remains an iconic phrase in the broadcasting industry. 

Fast forward to 1927, The British Broadcasting Company turned into the British Broadcasting Corporation and gained complete control over all the UK radio stations. At first, the BBC concentrated on showcasing local talent, and the people seemed to enjoy it. 

However, in the early 1930s, the airwaves became more competitive, which led the BBC to leave local radio and concentrate on national and regional services. Not to mention, the rise of the British Empire service in 1932 allowed the BBC to broadcast across the globe.

After 1960: Radio Reinvented

As time passed, the nature of radio began to change. By 1964, commercialization was in full sway, giving birth to several pirate radio stations across the British Coastline. To prevent this, The UK Government passed the Marine Offences Act, which helped get rid of unmonitored stations by 1967 by prohibiting citizens from working on pirate stations.

Believe it or not, the BBC tried to copy from a popular station called Radio London because of its quality content. And this led the director of the BBC at that time, Frank Gillard, to create the four analog channels that still form the base of BBC Radio today. 

The original BBC networks called Home, Light, and Third were renamed to 1, 2, 3, and 4 by BBC Radio. With the rise of these four primary radio stations, the BBC was dedicated to changing the world of radio entertainment. And since then, BBC Radio hasn’t looked back.

Interesting Facts About BBC Radio

Here are a few interesting tidbits about BBC Radio that you have probably never heard before.

1. The First Song

The first song that was played on BBC Radio 1 was called “Flowers in the Rain,” which was recorded by a British rock band called The Move. On Radio 2, the first song to be ever played was called “The Sound of Music,” sung by the English actress and singer Julie Andrews.

2. Kenny Everett

Kenny Everett is considered to be one of the most prominent voices in the radio broadcasting industry. He was an integral part of BBC Radio and recorded various interviews with the famous rock band the Beatles for BBC Radio 1 and 2. According to Kenny, he was responsible for inspiring John Lennon to write some lyrics during an LSD induced trip.

3. Tony Blackburn

Known for his good humor and charming personality, Tony Blackburn took the world by surprise when he fell apart on a live show in 1976. Blackburn lost his mind when his then-wife, Tessa, left him. He played the song “If you leave me now” several times on the bounce begging his wife to come back as millions listened. 

Later, he apologized and called the incident one of his biggest broadcasting mistakes.

4. Pink Floyd’s It Would Be So Nice

Over the years, BBC Radio has banned many songs. But, one of the first censored songs was “It would be so nice” by Pink Floyd. The song’s opening verse referenced the Evening Standard newspaper, which violated the strict no-advertising policy by the BBC, which BBC Radio had no choice but to censor.

5. Most Popular YouTube Video

You may not know this, but Radio 1 has a YouTube channel, and the most popular video on it is Miley Cyrus’s cover of Summertime Sadness.

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