United Biscuits Network
Encyclopedia
United Biscuits Network (or UBN for short) was an internal radio station serving the factories of United Biscuits
. It was in operation from 1970 to 1979.
to United Biscuits factories in London
, Manchester
, Liverpool
and Glasgow
24 hours a day. It was the training ground for many of the UK's most famous radio presenters including Roger Scott
, Adrian Love
, Chris Grant, Nicky Horne
, Graham Dene
, Peter Young, and Television personality Dale Winton
.
It was closed down in 1979, when the decision was taken to play Independent Local Radio
stations in the factories instead.
The Chris Petit film Radio On
was partly filmed at the UBN studio. The protagonist is a DJ at an industrial radio station similar to UBN.
Distribution of the 'radio' from the Osterley studios to the various factories was via GPO
landlines, then 100v loudspeaker systems in each factory. Each pair of workers had their own loudspeaker and volume control. To accommodate the already high ambient noise levels in the factories, the audio was highly compressed.
UBN's program content was similar to contemporary commercial radio, except that 'commercials' were to encourage safe work practice, among other subjects, and music requests were, for example, from Fred on the Chocolate Digestive line to Doris on the Jaffa Cakes.
In its time UBN was, on the whole, popular with staff and its introduction was credited with a dramatic reduction in staff turnover.
Programming was very similar to BBC Radio 1
and 2, but there were specialist programmes for Asian listeners and Country and western fans in Liverpool and Glasgow
United Biscuits
__FORCETOC__United Biscuits is a British multinational food manufacturer, makers of the BN biscuits, McVitie's biscuits, KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, The Real McCoy's crisps, Phileas Fogg snacks, Jacob's Cream Crackers, and Twiglets...
. It was in operation from 1970 to 1979.
About
UBN broadcast from the United Biscuits factory in OsterleyOsterley
Osterley is a district in the London Borough of Hounslow in west London. It is situated approximately west south-west of Charing Cross.Osterley lies north of the A4 and extends further northwards beyond the M4 Motorway...
to United Biscuits factories in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
24 hours a day. It was the training ground for many of the UK's most famous radio presenters including Roger Scott
Roger Scott
Roger Scott was a British radio disc jockey. He was best known for presenting an afternoon radio show on London's Capital Radio from 1973 until 1988....
, Adrian Love
Adrian Love
Adrian Love was a British radio presenter, famous for his Love In The Afternoon show on Radio Two. He was the son of musician Geoff Love....
, Chris Grant, Nicky Horne
Nicky Horne
Nicky Horne was a road manager for Emperor Rosko in 1969, before presenting shows on BBC Radio 1, from 1970 - 1973.Horne was one of the original line-up on London's Capital Radio, where he presented shows such as Your Mother Wouldn't like it, Mummy's Weekly & 6 of the Best...
, Graham Dene
Graham Dene
Graham Dene is a British radio personality.He was initially famous in the London area as Capital Radio's breakfast presenter in the 1970s and 1980s, and later worked for Virgin Radio. In 2006, he worked at Magic 105.4. In 2008, he was 102.2 Smooth Radio's breakfast host...
, Peter Young, and Television personality Dale Winton
Dale Winton
Dale Winton is an English radio DJ and television presenter.-Early life:Winton's father, Gary, was "domineering" and died when Winton was 13. Winton was brought up by his mother, actress Sheree Winton...
.
It was closed down in 1979, when the decision was taken to play Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
stations in the factories instead.
The Chris Petit film Radio On
Radio On
Radio On is a film directed by Christopher Petit and released in 1979. It is a rare example of a British road movie, shot in black and white and featuring music from a number of New Wave bands from the time, as well as established artists such as Kraftwerk and David Bowie...
was partly filmed at the UBN studio. The protagonist is a DJ at an industrial radio station similar to UBN.
Distribution of the 'radio' from the Osterley studios to the various factories was via GPO
General Post Office
General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane...
landlines, then 100v loudspeaker systems in each factory. Each pair of workers had their own loudspeaker and volume control. To accommodate the already high ambient noise levels in the factories, the audio was highly compressed.
UBN's program content was similar to contemporary commercial radio, except that 'commercials' were to encourage safe work practice, among other subjects, and music requests were, for example, from Fred on the Chocolate Digestive line to Doris on the Jaffa Cakes.
In its time UBN was, on the whole, popular with staff and its introduction was credited with a dramatic reduction in staff turnover.
Programming was very similar to BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and 2, but there were specialist programmes for Asian listeners and Country and western fans in Liverpool and Glasgow