Newsbeat

Newsbeat is the flagship news programme on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC's other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience. It is primarily hosted by Chris Smith and Tina Daheley.

The fifteen-minute Newsbeat programme is broadcast at 12:45 and 17:45 during the week on Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Short bulletins are also heard throughout the day on both stations on the half hour with extra bulletins broadcast at peak times.

History

BBC Radio 1's remit as a public service broadcaster meant it had to broadcast news. Newsbeat was launched in 1973 in response to the launch of a network of commercial radio stations across the UK which supplied a news service very different from the style of traditional BBC News. The programme's first presenter was the Radio 1 DJ Ed "Stewpot" Stewart and he was succeeded by Laurie Mayer and Richard Skinner.

Although unconfirmed by the BBC, it is widely thought that the name "Newsbeat" was taken from the Radio Caroline news service of the same name, as was the concept of short bulletins on the half hour. Caroline first used the name (and broadcast half-hourly headlines) in the 1960s. Roger Gale, who had previously worked on Radio Caroline North, was the show's first producer.