EARLY NEWS SUMMARIES The first news broadcast heard following the launch of Radio 1 247m was at 7.30 AM, on Saturday 30th September 1967. Read by Radio 2 presenter Paul Hollingdale, it was simultaneously heard on both Radio 1 and 2 and lasted only 2 minutes. News Summary Sept 1967 Short summaries like this, scheduled every hour on the half-hour remained with the station's sole news output for almost six years, when in 1973 it was decided to introduce an expanded coverage, angled towards the interests of Radio 1's audience and presented in a style which would blend with the rest of the output. NEWSBEAT LAUNCH On Monday, September 10th 1973 a new 15 minute current affairs show called Newsbeat was launched. First heard at 12.30pm during Johnnie Walker's show, a second edition was broadcast at 5.30pm during the Radio 1 Club slot. The first presenter was Ed Stewart, who soon handed over the reigns to young BBC staff newsmen Laurie Mayer and Richard Skinner. WHAT MADE NEWSBEAT DIFFERENT Compared to other BBC bulletins the presentation style was fast-paced, informal with a modern sound. The programme included reports from BBC reporters in the UK and around the world, interviews with people making the news, often from the scene. Newsbeat has highlighted serious social issues involving younger people such as teenage pregnancies, drugs, alcohol, health and education. Unique to other BBC broadcasts, Newsbeat included news about a major pop act of the day. At the end of many shows there was an 'and finally' slot with a humorous piece of news. STILL SOUNDING FRESH After three decades, Radio 1's Newsbeat continues to sound fresh with a similar time slot, the same remit, but always with different news. These days the programme has 24 Newsreaders....
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1974 Intro 1976 Jingle Laurie Mayer; September 1978 www.radiorewind.co.uk |