1. Popular Music on TV
The history...

2. The emergence of Youth
Subculture...
Increased affluence and a desire to
challenge the ideals of their parents led
British youth in the 50’s to explore new
types of identity.
The emergence of Teddy Boys, associated
with skiffle and rock n roll, bikers and later,
mods (Northern Soul) were subcultures with
distinctive codes of dress and a desire for
irreverence, hedonism...often communicated
through popular music.

3. The 50’s & 60’s- Jukebox
Jury(1959-67)
Cool for Cats (ITV- 1956-61)
Six Five Special (1957-58) BBC1-Swing, rock
n roll & skiffle
Oh Boy (ITV) Live performances. (1958/59)
Ready, Steady, Go! (1963-66)
Jukebox Jury- Screenonline describes the
show as ‘early pop in which guests rate the
latest singles releases.

4. The 70s- Top of the
Pops
The flagship BBC programme- archetypal
music programme. Using hosts, a Top 40
imgrescountdown and live acts (in the 80’s
music videos are added to the mix)
(1964-2006)
Revolver (1978)- A specialist show for the
punk generation but a bit too far before its
time!
The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2) Album
show aimed at an older audience, with more

5. 1980’s: Increased
competition
Rise of the Chart Show (ITV) 1986-98 with
a video format (no host) copied from cable.
MTV starts on cable with Video Killed the
Radio Star (Buggles) in 1981.
The Tube (C4) aims at a less mainstream
audience.
Music Box (ITV) experimental all night TV
musical service which does not last long!

6. 1990’s: The MTV auteur...
As well as satellite TV becoming ever more
popular (with growing choice of channels,
music included) the 90’s sees the rise of
auteurs such as Spike Jonze, Chris
Cunningham, Michel Gondry, Jonathan Glazer,
Anton Corbijn and Stephane Sedanoui.
Later with Joolz Holland (BBC2) establishes a
late night (weekend) slot showcasing live,
world musical acts and aimed at an older
audience. Holland used to present The Tube!
Never Mind the Buzzcocks- BBC 1996+

7. Fragementation...
Snub TV (BBC, 1988-90) & Rapido (BBC,
1988-92) both blended studio performance
and video and aimed at less mainstream
tastes. Both did poorly because of
unfavourable scheduling.
Equally, Baadasss TV (Channel 4- 1995/96) &
Flava (C4- 1996-2001) aimed at the black
audience and suffered the same fate.

8. Reality TV format...
Pop Idol (ITV, 2001)imgres
Fame Academy (BBC, 2002)
The X-factor BBC (2004)
Got Talent franchise- ITV (2007)
Check your notes on Simon Cowell and Simon
Fuller from last year.

9. 2000+
With the rise of the internet, the consumer
has been able to ever more specifically
pursue their own musical interests.
Downloading/P2P (music & video), Web 2.0
interactive forums etc have enabled us to set
our own agendas.
Increasingly, cable TV has continued to grow
with an ever widening choice of music
channels.
The rise of You Tube (2005+) which provides
music videos etc as well as other services.

10. 2007
Convergence has led to an ever less clear
cut difference between traditionally different
mediums. What exactly does Pop Music on TV
mean in 2007? Do we mean the widescreen
TV in the front room, the media centre, The
PC screen, mobile phones? All provide the
capability to consume pop music on TV as
technologies collapse into one.

11. Cable channels devoted
to music!
MTV UK, VH1, MTV2 Europe, MTV Hits, MTV
Dance, MTV Base, VH1- Classic, TMF UK (The
Music Factory), MTV Flux, MTV Ireland, MTV
imgresTrax, Smash Hits, Magic UK, Kerrang,
The Hits, B4U Music. The Box, FHM Music TV,
Rock World TV, Classic FM TV, The Musik,
Channel U, Chart Show TV, Pop, Tiny Pop, The
Vault.
Check out this link to the new BBC
replacement For Top of the Pops: Sound
http://sismedia.wetpaint.com/page/Pop+Music

12. Investigative Task
Define your own musical tastes. What bands/
artists do you like? Roughly speaking, which
genres can you divide these into?
Investigate what services are available to
cater for your interests?
Present your findings back to the class.
(Maximum in a group is 3. 5 minute pres)