In the very early sixties in England there was no commercial radio, no local radio, just three BBC national networks, the "Light Programme", "Home" and the "Third" programme. The British youth (thats me !) were starved of pop music, with the BBC having very strict formats of programme playlists.
The only alternative was Radio Luxemburg which faded in and out, and crackled like fury. Although I was an avid "208" listener there were certain BBC shows that we NEVER missed. "Pick of the Pops" on a Sunday evening would be the most essential (in typical BBC fashion, followed by "Sing Something Simple") ... and any show featuring The Beatles.

Brian Epstein realised how essential radio coverage could be in breaking his new band and he wrote for an audition at the B.B.C. in January 1962. On Monday 12th February 1962 the Beatles nervously auditioned at the Beeb's Manchester studios. BBC producer Peter Pilbeam wrote on their audition report, "An unusual group, not as "rocky" as most, more country and western with a tendency to play music."
They passed the audition.

The radio breakthrough came seven months BEFORE "Love Me Do", with their debut at the Manchester Playhouse on 7th March 1962. With Pete Best still on drums, John sang "Memphis Tennessee", "Please Mr. Postman" and "Hello Little Girl" (which was not broadcast), Paul sang "Dream Baby". This recording was broadcast the following evening at 5:00 p.m. on "Teenager's Turn".
Sadly all of the 1962 shows, the one above, the next on 15th June, 26th October and the last on 4th December 1962 have no quality recordings still existing.

From January 1963, The Beatles regularly pulled in U.K. audiences of around Ten Million on "Saturday Club" and a myriad of other BBC pop shows, until they received the ultimate recognition from the B.B.C. when they were offered their own show, "Pop Go The Beatles".
For some groups, a series that demanded five new recordings each week might have been daunting, but it allowed the Beatles to air their influences, and try out some new favourites.

This double album contains 56 songs made at BBC sessions, digitally remastered and compiled by George Martin, it IS an essential addition to the Beatles catalogue.

Here is each radio show The Beatles appeared on and the number of performances they made :
"The Beat Show", Thursdays 1.00 - 1.30 pm, once only on 4th July 1963.
"Easy Beat", Sundays 10.30 - 11.30 am, four times.
"From Us To You", four holiday specials.
"Here We Go", Fridays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, four times.
"The Ken Dodd Show", Sundays 2.30 - 3.00 pm, once.
"On The Scene", Thursdays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, once.
"Parade Of The Pops", Wednesdays 12.30 - 1.30 pm, once.
"Pop Go The Beatles", Tuesdays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, fifteen times.
"Saturday Club", Saturdays 10 - 12 noon, ten times.
"Side By Side", Mondays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, three times.
"Steppin' Out", Mondays 10.30 - 11.30 am, once.
"Swinging Sound '63", broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall Thursday 18th April 1963 9.10 - 10.15.
"The Talent Spot", Tuesdays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, twice.
"Teenagers Turn", Thursdays 5.00 - 5.30 pm, once (their radio debut).
"Top Gear", Thursdays 10 - 12 midnight, twice.
"Ticket To Ride", the Beatles final radio special, Monday 7th June 1965.
Note :
One could also include "The Royal Variety Performance" which although shown annually on T.V. also had a highlight show broadcast on the radio on Sunday 10th November 1963, 7.35 - 8.30 pm. In it the Beatles performed "From Me To You", "Till There Was You" and "Twist And Shout", which are not included in the counts down in the full list at the bottom, as this wasn't a dedicated "radio show" !

The cover photographs are actually digitally manipulated. For an excellent article on them see BBC cover pictures.
The inner sleeves contain full information about each song, it's recording and it's broadcast.
Although the correct U.K. catalogue number appears on both the L.P. and C.D covers, the L.P. inner sleeves, the labels on the vinyl and all covers also show the European code of 7243 8 31796 1.

See also the 2013 follow-up release On Air - Live at the BBC Vol.2
At that time this original volume one was re-released as a remastered double c.d. (Catalogue number 3749153) and as part of a four c.d. collection with Volume 2 (catno 3758447) called "The Collection".
I am informed that the 2013 re-mastering of the original "Live At The BBC" has an extra speech track and a repeat of "From Me To You".
Plus, "Have a banana" replaced with "Ringo, Yep !" and some minor booklet changes.

At the time of the Vol.2 release in November 2013 this first volume (re-mastered) re-entered the album chart at number 57 on 17th November 2013 for just one week.

JPGR also supplies a lot of interesting programme detail on the TEN c.d. bootleg boxset: Beatles At The Beeb ! Note :
After the complete tracklistings, I list EVERY song the Beatles performed especially for B.B.C. radio, and indicate after each title how many times each was broadcast. I do, of course, know when on each and every BBC show, and where each one of these exclusive performances was made ... but that's another story.