When comparing radio in the UK from before 1964 (when radio Caroline started) and after, the difference in the sonic landscape is drastic. What made this change happen? Pirate radio. An important pirate radio to mention when discussing the change in broadcast culture is Radio London. It is thought that Radio London was inspired to start because of Radio Caroline, first broadcasting on 23rd December 1964. Radio London’s intentions when broadcasting from the beginning were clear. To become a mainstream radio station, this was succesful and they later became BBC Radio 1(1). Radio Caroline and Radio London similar yet different. “The contrast between caroline and London was therefore a contrast of intent: creativity versus accountancy; idealism versus pragmatism.”(1), this may be why Radio Londons fate was so different from Radio Caroline’s. Radio London featured American, and Australian DJs giving the British listeners a whole sonic culture, including a new format for radio being the top charts. This makes it very clear that pirate radio has influenced the airwaves profoundly. 

Radio in the 21st century:

Now that the resources are available, digital radio is a very popular way for counter-cultural stations to broadcast. This creates a new world of possibilities; it is regulated differently, meaning things such as profanity are not illegal as they are when broadcasting on wave frequencies. Online radios such as NTS and Ballamii are two examples of countercultural digital radio that come to mind. One huge benefit of digital radio broadcasting is the ability for it to be streamed internationally, connecting the world through the power of broadcast. In this way, some digital radio has become similar to Pirate Radios, as a countercultural broadcast outlet.

Based on this, I feel it is more apparent the impact that radio Caroline has had on the sonic landscape of the UK. It is because of a domino effect that I believe started with Caroline that broadcasts have such sonic diversity today. If the integration of rock and pop into mainstream radio and therefore mainstream culture did not happen it may not have been possible for various genres to enter wider society. In a way, it was not exactly what Caroline did or broadcasted that had such effects but the president that they set, making it clear that changes in culture are possible if there is a drive to make it happen is there.

References: 

(1) 1960s pirates a comparative analysis of radio caroline and radio London by Robert Chapman