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As the 1960s gave way to the 1970s, 'Top of the Pops' underwent relatively few changes. The hosting duties for TOTP were primarily handled by Jimmy Saville and Tony Blackburn, who took turns on a weekly basis. Johnnie Stewart continued to hold the reins as the show's Executive Producer until 1971. The evolving landscape of BBC Radio 1 introduced a more radio-oriented approach to the program, ushering in new faces like Noel Edmonds and Dave Lee Travis as presenters.
Although every episode after November 1969 was broadcast in colour, some of the remaining episodes from 1970-1973 only exist in the BBC archive in black & white form, either because they were recorded in black & white as it was cheaper or they have been returned to the BBC archive this way.
In 1971, TOTP saw a change in its leadership, with Robin Nash assuming the role of Executive Producer. Robin Nash largely maintained the show's existing format, leading some to argue that the early 1970s clung too closely to the styles of the preceding decade, a sentiment reflected in the show's production. However, this period also witnessed the emergence of a new music genre, glam rock. Correspondingly, stage performances by Pan's People became more daring and provocative, likely aimed at capturing a male audience's attention.
The 1970s were marked by various strikes across different professions, including the entertainment industry. As a result, TOTP occasionally found itself without a fully dressed studio. Budget constraints had already led to reductions in the show's funding, resulting in sets that resembled suspended cardboard boxes. Additionally, special lighting effects were no longer employed due to budget cutbacks.
In 1973, TOTP introduced its iconic circular logo on October 4th, coinciding with the celebration of the show's 500th episode. These episodes featured a consistent theme song, CCS's rendition of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By 1978, Robin Nash discarded the theme tune and opening titles, replacing them with a brief logo animation at the end of every show. The tradition of playing theme music over the Top 30 chart rundown at the beginning of the show allowed TOTP to play more music that was currently in the charts at the time.
As the 1970s progressed, punk and disco gained prominence as mainstream music genres, leading to incremental budget increases for the show. Studio sets became more visually appealing and permanent, incorporating elements like a 'stained glass window effect.'
In the late 1970s, as punk transitioned into new wave music, Robin Nash changed TOTP slightly. Changes included the introduction of a fresh lineup of presenters to host the program, featuring figures like David "Kid" Jensen and Peter Powell, although stalwarts of the 1960s like Jimmy Savile and Tony Blackburn still made appearances, albeit less frequently.
September 1979 marked a high point for TOTP, as it achieved its highest-ever viewing figures, peaking at 19 million viewers, partly due to a prolonged ITV strike. However, as the late 1970s unfolded, the show's appearance and identity underwent some scrutiny, with some commenting that it looked dated and not in keeping with the current music trends.
With the dawn of the 1980s, 'Top of the Pops' welcomed a brand-new set adorned by sleek curves and shiny metallic elements, setting the stage for the next decade of its evolution.