Broadcast area | United Kingdom and internationally via BBC Sounds |
---|---|
Frequencies |
|
RDS | BBC R1 |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Contemporary hit radio, with specialist programming at night |
Ownership | |
Owner | BBC |
BBC Radio 1Xtra BBC Radio 1 Anthems BBC Radio 1 Dance | |
History | |
First air date | September 1967 |
Former call signs | BBC Light Programme |
Former frequencies |
|
Technical information | |
Licensing authority | Ofcom |
Links | |
Website | BBC Radio 1 via BBC Sounds |
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 provides 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 Anthems, dedicated to throwback 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.[1] The BBC claims that it targets the 15–29 age group,[2] and the average age of its UK audience since 2009 is 30.[3] BBC Radio 1 started 24-hour broadcasting on 1 May 1991.[4]
According to RAJAR, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 7.3 million with a listening share of 4.5% as of March 2024.