Radio Contexts

BBC was formed in 1922 and first broadcast in the same year

ECONOMIC

BBC radio 1 is a publicly funded institution compared to commercial radio

Radio 1 budget comes from license fee enables Radio 1 to chase a young niche audience 

Fact is that popular music programming is much cheaper than classical music programming means that Radio 1 can offer value for money 

use of digital platforms depends on the economic context of the rapidly decreasing cost of computing power and storage and the growth of the internet

Live music is more expensive than playing recorded music influences its status as a PSB element 

POLITICAL

Radio was the first domestic electronic medium and so was subject to political control

The notion of a free media is central to democracy and state media are associated with dictatorship 

OFCOM- to regulate radio without direct interface 

Radio 3 more for cultural conservatives- key in understanding political debates

Right politicians are against public institutions such as BBC and argue that there is no reason why license fee payers should pay for radio 1 (budget of £35 million)  

OFCOM taking over regulation of the BBC was the result of some political controversy

some right wing commentators are critical of the BBC's liberal bias 

CULTURAL

BBC radio one is a "popular culture" as opposed to radio 3 for example which is a "high culture"

Radio one plays pop music which to radio 3 audience could be seen as loud and repetitive

Radio three has more classical music which to a radio one audience could be seen as boring 

In terms of cultural expectation Radio One should be fast and upbeat in terms of the presenting whereas Radio three has moments of silence as it is a lot slower

Radio one has a friendly informal and inclusive mode of address that engages with everyday activities of its audience eg exams and first time house buyers.  

Popular music radio operates in a cultural context where pop music is seen as inferior to other art forms, due to its commercial success.

BBC faces a cultural context in which compulsory charges are starting to seem old fashioned 

Radio 1 breakfast show faces increasing competition from commercial radio and YouTube and Spotify.

radio 1 was only available on medium wave frequencies reflecting  the low cultural evaluation 

Reith made R1 to improve the culture of the nation 

popular music ,especially recorded music, is considered low status

explains the other requirements placed on Radio 1 to tr to achieve PSB status : innovative and challenging music, UK talent, live music and speech programming