h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The 1960s offshore radio stations were dubbed pirates by the press. They were run as responsible businesses in the main exploiting a loophole in the law. So I dispute the fact that they were illegal! The marine offences bill in 1967 as such outlawed them but only Radio Caroline continue after that so only that operation was "illegal"

i can remember 'Radio London, 266 BIG L ' signing off in 67.
i turned briefly to bbcradio one and then off.
John Peel came later.
Radio Caroline continued for some time but then started transmitting messages from some sect or other. Was it the Maharishi? you couldn't really tell.
The only thing left on the air was the smell of government involvement.
alec

True - Pirate stations were quite legal until the government got in the way. Sound familiar?
Oh, and I think Radio City carried on after Marine Offences was introduced, paying fines every month in order to stay on the air.
I think what ultimately happened was that the Government saw a chance to make some money (create a radio authority and charge for licences to broadcast) and decided to close down the existing "tax-evading" stations.