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BBC Radio 1 facts for kids

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BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 2021.svg
Logo used since 2021
Broadcast area United Kingdom and internationally via BBC Sounds
Frequencies
  • FM: 97.1 MHz99.7 MHz
  • DAB: 12B (BBC National DAB)
  • Freesat: 700
  • Freeview: 700
  • Sky (UK only): 0101
  • Virgin Media: 901
  • Virgin Media Ireland: 907
  • Astra 2E (28.2°E)
  • Intelsat 901 (18°W)
RDS Radio 1
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Contemporary hit radio, with specialist programming at night
Ownership
Owner BBC
Sister stations
BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1 Dance
BBC Radio 1 Relax
History
First air date
30 September 1967; 56 years ago (1967-09-30)
Former call signs
BBC Light Programme
Former frequencies
  • FM: 104.8 MHz (London)
  • 96.0 MHz (Belfast)
    • AM: 1053 kHz
    • 1089 kHz
  • 1215 kHz
Links
Website BBC Radio 1

BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station plays alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, hip hop and indie, while its sister station 1Xtra plays black contemporary music, including hip hop and R&B. Radio 1 also runs two online streams, Radio 1 Dance, dedicated to dance music, and Radio 1 Relax, dedicated to chill-out music; both are available to listen only on BBC Sounds.

Radio 1 broadcasts throughout the UK on FM between 97.1 MHz and 99.7 MHz, digital radio, digital TV and BBC Sounds. It was launched in 1967 to meet the demand for music generated by pirate radio stations, when the average age of the UK population was 27. The BBC claims that it targets the 15–29 age group, and the average age of its UK audience since 2009 is 30. BBC Radio 1 started 24-hour broadcasting on 1 May 1991.

According to RAJAR, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 7.7 million with a listening share of 4.7% as of December 2022.

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

Former logos

Awards and nominations

International Dance Music Awards

Radio 1 has won the International Dance Music Awards every year from 2002 to 2020 with the exception of 2010.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: BBC Radio 1 para niños

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