the "essential mix" quickly established a strong reputation within the dance music community and has gained prestige both in the uk and internationally. although eddie gordon originally had his work cut out attracting big names to the program due to their busy dj schedules, his determination and broad knowledge of the big-name djs' dance music styles has meant that the hugely successful "essential mix"'s list of performers now essentially reads as a "who's who of dance music". the show's success can perhaps be partly attributed to radio 1's unique ability to offer djs the chance to play relatively long sets on radio uninterrupted by advertisements, something which cannot be matched by the bbc's commercial rivals (the bbc is funded through tv licensing). the absence of any kind of interruption in music has led to the show being touted as a "two hour musical journey" rather than as simply an assortment of records. the show has been used as a platform for artists to showcase their talents, and for some is seen as a major boost to their careers.