Overview of the events of 1977 in British radio
This is a list of events in British radio during 1977.
Events
January
- 3 January – At 6.45am, BBC Radio Cymru launches, and becomes the first broadcasting outlet dedicated wholly to programmes in Welsh. The service is part-time and restricted to breakfast shows, extended news bulletins at breakfast, lunchtime & early evening and a number of off-peak opt-outs from a sustaining Radio 4 Wales English-language feed.
February
- 14 February – The Annan Committee makes its recommendations and its principle recommendation for radio is for the privatisation of BBC local radio;[1] this is not implemented.
March
April
- 30 April – The first edition of the Saturday morning magazine programme Sport on Four is broadcast on BBC Radio 4; it will run until 1998.[2]
May
- 2 May – BBC Radio 4 launches a new breakfast programme Up to the Hour. Consequently, the Today programme is reduced from a continuous two-hour programme to two 25-minute slots. This arrangement lasts for just over a year before Today reverts to a continuous broadcast. This summer, Today starts to carry a daily horse racing tip, which will continue until 2024.[3]
June
July
August
September
October
- 2 October – The first edition of personal financial advice magazine programme Money Box is broadcast on BBC Radio 4; it will still be running into the 2020s.
- 11 October – Bing Crosby makes his last ever recordings, three days before his death, at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios.[4]
November
- 28 November – BBC Radio 1 launches a weekday afternoon programme presented by Tony Blackburn. Previously, the station has simulcasted BBC Radio 2's afternoon show. Tony is replaced on mid-mornings by Simon Bates. Consequently Radio 1 now has its own all-day schedule on weekdays although the station continues to simulcast Radio 2 each night from 7pm, apart from the weekday late night John Peel programme.
December
Station debuts
Programme debuts
Continuing radio programmes
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
Ending this year
Births
Deaths
- 5 September – Elsie Carlisle, "Radio Sweetheart Number One", singer (born 1896)[5]
- 8 November – Ted Ray, comedian (born 1905)
See also
References