Radio 1, the BBC’s pop music station, began broadcasting on 31 August 1967, designed to replace the various pirate radio stations that had transmitted from waters off the UK since 1964.
The pirates had recently been closed down, when the legal loophole which allowed them to operate was closed with the introduction of the Marine Offences Act on August 15.
BBC radio leapt into the 1970s on 4 April 1970 by relaunching Radio 1 along with Radio 2, 3 and 4.
Each station was given a distinct identity and prepared for changing listening patterns and the coming of commercial radio.
Broadly speaking, Radio 1 offered pop, while Radio 2 provided light music. Both networks came together at times for shows such as Family Favourites, Junior Choice and the Terry Wogan Show.
