Pirate radio in the United Kingdom

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Pirate radio in the United Kingdom has been a popular and enduring

UK towns and cities, in 2009 the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom estimated more than 150 pirate radio stations were still operating.[2]

1960s

The MV Mi Amigo, once home of Radio Caroline, mid 1970s

Pirate radio in the UK first became widespread in the early 1960s when pop music stations such as Radio Caroline and Radio London started to broadcast on medium wave to the UK from offshore ships or disused sea forts. At the time, these stations were not illegal because they were broadcasting from international waters. The stations were set up by entrepreneurs and music enthusiasts to meet the growing demand for pop and rock music, which was not catered for by BBC Radio services.[3]

The first British pirate radio station was Radio Caroline, which started broadcasting from a ship off the Essex coast in 1964. By 1967, ten pirate radio stations were broadcasting to an estimated daily audience of 10-15 million. Influential pirate radio DJs included John Peel, Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett, Johnnie Walker, Tony Prince, Emperor Rosko, and Spangles Muldoon.[4]

The format of this wave of pirate radio was influenced by

top-40 format with casual DJs, making UK pirate radio the antithesis of BBC radio at the time.[1] Spurred on by the offshore stations, land-based pirate stations took to the air on medium wave at weekends, such as Radio Free London in 1968.[5]

Radio Caroline's audience was one third the size of the

Light Programme in the parts of the country where it could be received, but the Light Programme's audience did not decrease, indicating that pirate radio appealed to an audience that the BBC did not serve.[6]

In reaction to the popularity of pirate radio,

BBC radio was restructured in 1967, establishing BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4. A number of DJs of the newly formed Radio 1 came from pirate stations. The UK Government also closed the international waters loophole via the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967, although Radio Caroline would continue to broadcast in various forms right up to 1990.[1]

1970s

The Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 officially outlawed offshore stations, but unlicensed radio continued, moving from ships and sea-based platforms to

short wave) transmitters were often constructed inside cheap, expendable biscuit tins.[7]
The main method employed by most medium-wave or short-wave pirate stations during the 1970s involved programming played back on cassette recorders (often powered by a car battery), with a long wire antenna slung up between two trees.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a wave of land-based pirate radio, broadcasting mostly in larger towns and cities, transmitting from flats and

Radio Jackie originally broadcasting in south west London.[8]

Radio Invicta, regarded as Europe's first soul music station first broadcasting in 1970. The station would launch the careers of Pete Tong, Gilles Peterson and a number of the shows were presented by what was then known as the "Soul Mafia" - DJs such as Chris Hill and Froggy.[8][9]

1980s

Dread Broadcasting Corporation, groundbreaking black pirate radio station

Entering the 1980s, transmitters capable of

Kiss FM.[9]

In London, a notable moment would be the launching of Britain's first black owned music station

black community broadcasting as well as launching the career of BBC presenter Ranking Miss P.[8][9]

Soul stations would become prolific in the early-mid 1980s, with Invicta joined by Horizon Radio, and JFM in 1981. Both of these would broadcast until 1985 when they were followed by

Capital Radio and ahead of Radio 1
.

Around the UK, the West Midlands and Birmingham would see a large number of stations forming including the likes of

Sunshine Radio.[8] Although launching in very late 1979, Merseyland Alternative Radio broadcast from the Wirral in the early 1980s, showcasing many bands from the Merseyside area.[12][13]

Despite being better catered for by legal radio, there was still space for stations playing

XFM.[14]

Pirate radio met with increasing opposition, especially from the authorities in the form of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It had claimed since the 1970s that pirate radio caused interference to licensed broadcasters and could interfere with frequencies used by emergency services. Nonetheless, the growth of pirate radio in the 1980s was so rapid that at one point pirate radio operators outnumbered legal broadcasters and in popularity.[9]

Twice in the mid-late 1980s, the

Kiss FM was one of those that duly did so, yet despite strong backing and support, would lose out to Jazz FM
. However, further licenses were advertised subsequently and Kiss would win one on its second attempt and become the UK's first legal radio station specialising in black and dance music in September 1990.

However, even as this unfolded, a new wave of pirate radio stations emerged as the acid house scene exploded. Particularly in London, stations such as Sunrise, Fantasy, Friends FM, and Centreforce became the "seven day rave stations".[9][16]

1990s

The

rave music scene, with stations moving to a "rave on the air" format with back to back mixing and listener participation through 'shouts' - enabled by the growth of pagers and mobile phones. In London, such stations included the likes of Rush, Kool FM, Pulse FM, Innocence, Don FM, and Defection.[17]

Pirates - 1993 documentary focusing on East London pirate radio

The authorities and media increasingly alleged an

DJs and businesses that advertised on stations.[20][21] The Rush raid was featured in the seminal BBC Two documentary Pirates, shown as part of the Arena series in December 1993.[22]

For those ill-served by mainstream and legal radio, pirate radio filled the void especially for the

black music with phone-ins and cultural programming: "We are trying to bring a balance into the community - to introduce culture and history and to inform people" as one of those involved in Galaxy.[20][23]
These stations still broadcast today.

Across the UK, the picture was similar, with notable pirate radio stations including PCRL, Frontline, and Sting in Birmingham; The Superstation, Buzz FM and Soul Nation in Manchester;[24] Dance FM, Fantasy FM, and SCR in Sheffield; Passion Radio, Ragga FM, For the People in Bristol; Fresh FM in Leicester; Z100 in Liverpool, and Dream FM in Leeds.[25]

By the mid to late 1990s, genres such as

drum'n'bass and speed/UK garage saw a new generation of pirate radio stations emerge. In London, Kool FM was joined by Rinse FM, Rude, Flex FM, Eruption FM, and Dream FM in championing jungle music/drum'n'bass, and the latter also happy hardcore.[26][27][28] Speed/UK garage was being pushed by stations such as London Underground (notably the Dreem Teem), Freek FM (notably DJ EZ), Shine FM, and Girls FM.[29] The now legal Flex FM and Rinse FM would make a transition from jungle to UK garage
during the course of the 1990s.

2000s

Pirate radio aerial installations on rooftops in NW London, early 2000s

As pirate radio persisted into the 2000s, UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom undertook research into its continued popularity and published its findings in 2007. This estimated that: "there are currently around 150 illegal radio stations in the UK. At any one time, it is believed that around half of these are transmitting in London, within the M25 area".[30] It found that: "a large proportion of these are operating in London, with notable clusters in Harlesden, Stoke Newington, Southwark and Lambeth".[30]

It also commissioned research among residents of the London boroughs of

urban music scene and minority community groups were identified as key drivers for pirate radio. According to the research both pirate radio listeners and those running pirate radio stations thought that licensed broadcasters failed to cater sufficiently for the needs of the public at large. Pirate radio was regarded as the best place to hear new music and particularly urban music. Furthermore, pirate radio stations were appreciated for their local relevance by providing information and advertisements about local community events, businesses and club nights.[30]

An operation by Ofcom to take unlicensed operators off-air in late 2005 would reveal that London's airwaves were still very active,

grime and dubstep music scenes. At the same time, the authorities would continue to assert the risk of interference to emergency services by stations.[34]

2010s to present

Ofcom responded to a Freedom of Information request in July 2015, that revealed they had raided and seized almost 400 pirate radio set-ups in London in just a two-year period.[35]

Community radio

Since 2010, Ofcom have promoted the take-up of Community Radio, especially in areas such as London with a concentration of pirate radio stations.[36] As such, a number of former pirate radio stations have made the transition to legal broadcasting through community radio licences, such as Rinse FM, Kane FM, and most recently Flex FM. However, some remain sceptical of the ability of the local community and pirate broadcasters to make the move to legal status.[37]

Political pirate radio

Although UK pirate radio has in the main concentrated on broadcasting music not catered for by the mainstream, there has been some overt political pirate radio. The earliest of these was

Carnival Against Capitalism demonstration on 18 June 1999.[39]

Political programming has been a feature of the many

Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993, has in the past urged police to work with community stations such as Genesis in order to improve "police engagement with the community" and "run our own appeals for information after incidents".[40] Where black community stations have also been effective is to raise awareness and raise funds for local concerns, often where mainstream media has overlooked them. In 2002, Powerjam launched an appeal through one of its talk shows to raise money to save a young girl from a rare tissue disease.[41]

Internet and pirate radio

The advent of the

radio streaming technologies as a means of ceasing illegal broadcasting - the most notable and pioneering of these was the former London pirate Face FM that re-invented itself as the internet station InterFACE.[44][45] For those that had no intention of coming off the air, the internet provided a way to expand their promotion and audience reach by establishing websites and enable them to begin to stream live beyond their usual broadcast area.[46][47] For the now legal Rinse FM, their website not only streamed shows live but it would also provide them a platform to develop their identity and to promote their events whilst still unlicensed.[48]

By the 2010s, this landscape was changing with increasing use of

music streaming services, with research by RAJAR reporting that: "Although 90% of people still listen to the radio each week, the proportion listening to FM and AM stations has fallen from 68% in 2010 to 58% in March."[49]

For some, the Internet still does not replace the need for pirate radio: "Pirate will never stop; it’s cyclical. If you push people hard enough, they’ll find a mode of expression. The internet has been pretty cool for that, but it’s not the be-all-and-end-all",

Kool London, Internet radio has given them a new lease of life.[51]

Legal situation

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 provides for Ofcom to issue licences to radio broadcasters for the use of stations and wireless telegraphy apparatus. The Act sets out a number of criminal offences relating to wireless telegraphy, including the establishment or use of a wireless telegraphy station or apparatus for the purpose of making an unlicensed broadcast. The financing or participating in the day-to-day running of unlicensed broadcasting is also a criminal offence, as is the supplying of a sound recording for an unlicensed station and advertising through unlicensed stations.[30] The act allows Ofcom to take a number of actions against individuals committing these offences, including power of entry and search and seizure of equipment. It is a criminal offence to obstruct a person exercising enforcement powers on Ofcom's behalf.[30] Furthermore, the Broadcasting Act 1990 provides that anyone convicted of an unlawful broadcasting offence is disqualified from holding a broadcasting licence for five years.[30]

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBO) have also been used in the fight against pirate radio.[52]

In popular culture

Drama and comedy programmes featuring UK pirate radio:

Documentaries featuring UK pirate radio:

  • In 1982, Channel 4 broadcast a feature on pirate radio on its Whatever You Want programme, featuring DBC and Breakfast Pirate Radio.
  • Also in 1982, London Weekend Television's The London Programme featured Radio Invicta and DBC.
  • In 1987, Channel 4 broadcast The Black & White Pirate Show, featuring 1980s black pirates DBC, JBC, and PCRL.
  • In 1993, BBC Two broadcast the documentary Pirates directed by Nigel Finch as part of Arena's Radio Night. This featured London's Rush FM.
  • In 1994,
    Anglia Television broadcast Rockin' the Boat, a documentary about offshore radio featuring Radio Caroline, and Radio City
    .
  • In 1996, BBC South East broadcast the documentary Radio Renegades as part of the First Sight current affairs series. This featured London's Kool FM and Dream FM.
  • In 1999, the Discovery Channel broadcast Making Waves, featuring Rude FM.
  • In 2000, BBC Radio 1 broadcast Last Caller Ring Back, featuring 1980s and 1990s radio.
  • The
    Southend
    .
  • In 2010, Wilderness Productions released the Michael Chandler documentary Stay Sailing on Vimeo, featuring Buzz FM and Itch FM.
  • In 2017,
    Kiss FM and London Weekend Radio
    .

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-415-15828-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  2. ^ Emery, Daniel (3 March 2009). "BBC NEWS - Technology - Pirate radio 'puts lives at risk'". BBC News.
  3. ISBN 0415078172
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1-4739-0360-9
    .
  5. ^ Morrison, Colin (18 March 2014). "How a radio ship and 7 men shook up Britain in 1964". Flashes & Flames.
  6. ISBN 0-415-12802-1
    .
  7. ^ Hefernan, Breda (3 October 2018). "Pirates of the airwaves recall days of radio and raids - and transmitters hidden in Jacob's biscuit tins". Irish Independent.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7453-0055-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  9. ^
    ISBN 9780993265204
    .
  10. ^ Hebditch, Stephen (1 May 2015). "LWR - London pirate radio history - AM/FM". Amfm.org.uk.
  11. ^ Hebditch, Stephen (17 February 2015). "Kiss FM - London pirate radio history - AM/FM". Amfm.org.uk.
  12. ^ Merseyside LBP. "Merseyland Alternative Radio". DX Archive.
  13. ^ Mersey Pirates. "Mersey Pirates Home Pages". Mersey Pirates.
  14. ^ Chamberlain, Darryl (1 January 2004). "X marks the spot". Transdiffusion.org.
  15. ^ Hebditch, Stephen (2 November 2002). "AM/FM - News Radio Today September 1988". Amfm.org.uk.
  16. ^ "The Pirates of Waltham Forest - Ransom Note". The Ransom Note. 4 June 2020.
  17. ^ a b Nicolov, Alice (19 January 2017). "The history of UK pirate radio – and why it's still here". Dazed.
  18. ^ Hebditch, Stephen (14 February 2002). "AM/FM News #14 - August 1993". Amfm.org.uk.
  19. ^ "Rush FM raided, 1993 - The Radical History of Hackney". Hackney History. 21 January 2013.
  20. ^ a b Fergusson, Philip (2 September 1992). "Media: Pirates remain afloat: Illegal radio stations are continuing to defy tough new laws, says Philip Fergusson – Media". The Independent.
  21. ^ Wroe, Martin (18 August 1993). "Pirate radio stations 'linked to drugs': Illegal broadcasters used as front for crime, regulator says". The Independent.
  22. BBC Genome
    . 18 December 1993. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  23. ^ a b Rowan, David (3 January 2002). "London's underground pirates". Evening Standard.
  24. ^ Collerton, Patrick (March 1994). "Moss Side Story". The Ticket.
  25. ^ Adderley, Jonty (July 1995). "Ariel Warfare". Muzik Magazine.
  26. ^ Lewis, Angela (6 September 1994). "Angela Lewis on pop". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015.
  27. ^ Hancox, Dan (8 September 2011). "Pirate radio rave tapes: 'You can't Google this stuff'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013.
  28. ^ Doran, John (21 January 2014). "Radio Live Transmission: 22 Years Of Pirate Broadcasts With Rude FM". The Quietus.
  29. ^ Munday, Matt (December 1997). "Return of the Pirates". Wax Magazine.
  30. ^ a b c d e f "Illegal Broadcasting – Understanding the issues". Ofcom. 19 April 2007.
  31. ^ "Ofcom tackles illegal broadcasting". Ofcom. 3 November 2005.
  32. ^ Gibson, Owen (17 February 2006). "Bouncing the illegal broadcasters off the overcrowded airwaves". The Guardian.
  33. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (2 November 2008). "You may think they're a bunch of amateurs..." The Guardian.
  34. ^ "BBC News - England - London - Pirate radio 'risk to aircraft'". BBC News. 2 May 2007.
  35. ^ Alwakeel, Ramzy (3 July 2015). "Four hundred pirate radio setups shut down in London in just two years". Evening Standard.
  36. ^ "Community radio". Ofcom. 4 May 2010.
  37. ^ "Concrete jungle: Hackney's pirate DJs resist rooftop station crackdown". Hackney Citizen. 8 June 2015.
  38. ^ "Radical Objects: Covert Broadcasts and the Nuclear Disarmament Campaign". History Workshop. 22 January 2020.
  39. ^ "Concealed Transmissions - the story of InterferenceFM". Urban75. Archived from the original on 6 November 2001.
  40. ^ "Lewisham councillor urges cops to use illegal pirate radio". South London Press. 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010.
  41. ^ Rowan, David (25 February 2002). "Pirate radio station saves child's life | The Observer". The Guardian.
  42. ^ "Alternative Radio List for London". alt.radio.pirate. Archived from the original on 9 November 2004.
  43. ^ "Fused - Illegal Stations". Fused.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 1999.
  44. ^ Kunzru, Hari (December 1997). "Pirates Invade the Web - WIRED". Wired.
  45. ^ "InterFACE - Pirate Radio UnderLondon". Pirate-radio.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 November 1999.
  46. ^ "Ruudawakening.com". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 30 March 2002.
  47. ^ "Award Winning Freeze FM 92.7". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 17 October 2003.
  48. ^ "Rinse FM - Coming Soon". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 10 August 2007.
  49. ^ "Plank walk - Illegal broadcasting". The Economist. 7 June 2015.
  50. ^ Anderson, Sian (21 December 2015). "How Pirate Radio Made Grime Great Again". Fader.
  51. ^ Quinn, Annalisa (3 October 2018). "London's Radio Pirates Changed Music. Then Came the Internet". The New York Times.
  52. ^ Sanchez, Matheus (15 April 2005). "Asbo bars pirate DJ from the rooftops". Evening Standard.

Further reading

  • John Hind & Steve Mosco, Rebel Radio: Full Story of British Pirate Radio, 1987 Pluto Press
  • Keith Skues, Pop Went the Pirates: History of Offshore Radio Stations, 1994 Lambs Meadow Publications
  • Paul Harris, When Pirates Ruled The Waves, 2001 Kennedy & Boyd
  • Stephen Hebditch, London's Pirates Pioneers, 2015 TX Publications

External links

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