Radio 1 first station in world to reach 1m YouTube subs

Radio 1 has become the first radio station in the world to reach one million subscribers on YouTube, surpassing the landmark on Sunday evening during Dan and Phil’s Radio 1 show.

The network launched its first visualised Official Chart in 2012, alongside visualised Live Lounges and interactive shows. Currently, 55% of Radio 1’s YouTube channel viewers are under the age of 24 and 35% are females aged 13-17.

“Radio 1 has to find new ways of finding new young audiences for the BBC and the best way to predict the future of radio is invent it yourself,” said Ben Cooper, controller of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.

Radio 1 DJ Greg James added: “It’s really important that Radio 1 not only does really good radio stuff, but also does good videos too and to make sure that as many people as possible know about what we do.

“So if it means getting my bits out on a wrecking ball, then so be it – it was all worth it.”