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; this is not implemented.

March

*No events.

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.

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.

June

*No events.

July

*No events.

August

*22 August – The BBC Radio comedy ''The Men from the Ministry'' airs its final episode after fifteen years on air.

September

*No events.

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.

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

*No events.

Station debuts

*3 January – BBC Radio Cymru
*9 May – BBC Radio Orkney, BBC Radio Shetland

Programme debuts

* 2 May – '' Up to the Hour'' on BBC Radio 4 (1977–1978)
* 6 September – ''The News Quiz'' on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
* 2 October – ''Money Box'' on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
* 26 October – ''File on 4'' on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
* 5 November – '' Albert and Me'' on BBC Radio 2 (1977–1983)
* ''The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket'' on BBC Radio 4 (1977–1979)

Continuing radio programmes

1940s

* '' Sunday Half Hour'' (1940–2018)
* ''Desert Island Discs'' (1942–Present)
* ''Down Your Way'' (1946–1992)
* '' Letter from America'' (1946–2004)
* ''Woman's Hour'' (1946–Present)
* '' A Book at Bedtime'' (1949–Present)

1950s

* ''The Archers'' (1950–Present)
* ''The Today Programme'' (1957–Present)
* '' Sing Something Simple'' (1959–2001)
* ''Your Hundred Best Tunes'' (1959–2007)

1960s

* ''Farming Today'' (1960–Present)
* '' In Touch'' (1961–Present)
* ''Petticoat Line'' (1965–1979)
* ''The World at One'' (1965–Present)
* ''The Official Chart'' (1967–Present)
* '' Just a Minute'' (1967–Present)
* '' The Living World'' (1968–Present)
* '' The Organist Entertains'' (1969–2018)

1970s

* '' PM'' (1970–Present)
* ''Start the Week'' (1970–Present)
* ''Week Ending'' (1970–1998)
* ''You and Yours'' (1970–Present)
* ''I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'' (1972–Present)
* ''Good Morning Scotland'' (1973–Present)
* ''Hello Cheeky'' (1973–1979)
* ''Kaleidoscope'' (1973–1998)
* ''Newsbeat'' (1973–Present)
* ''The News Huddlines'' (1975–2001)
* ''The Burkiss Way'' (1976–1980)

Ending this year

* 16 July – ''The Navy Lark'' (1959–1977)
* 22 August – ''The Men from the Ministry'' (1962–1977)

Births

*31 May – Joel Ross, radio and television presenter
*22 August – Sarah Champion, radio and television presenter
*28 September – John Finnemore, comedy writer-performer
*25 October – Anita Rani, radio and television presenter

Deaths

*8 November – Ted Ray, comedian (born 1905)

See also

* 1977 in British music
* 1977 in British television
* 1977 in the United Kingdom
* List of British films of 1977

References

{{Reflist

Radio
British Radio, 1977 In
Years in British radio