Womans Hour Flashcards
Radio
The oldest and most traditional media industries
Rapid progress of digital technology
Very accessible
it reaches 88% of the population
in the past the bbc had a niche market, but the growth of podcasting and rival stations such as times radio has transform the radio industry.
“Radio is the original social media”
Social and cultural
- The role of the programme in reflecting the changing roles of women in the past
- Woman’s Hour was originally broadcast in the 1940s,- shifts from the 1950s housewife towards the independence of young women in the 1960s and comparing this with the present day.
- These shifts are evident in the topics discussed and the guests featured over the years, showcasing the changing priorities and challenges faced by women
- For instance, as societal expectations of gender roles have evolved, so have audience interpretations of the program.
Historical context
- Woman’s Hour was first broadcast in the 1940s,
so it’s worth considering the historical and social shifts that have occurred since the show’s inception. - The original show could be said to reflect tokenism (a show set aside for women might imply all other radio content was oriented towards men).
- However, this format has continued and has developed into an important part of Radio 4’s schedule.
- Recent technological change and media production, distribution/circulation
- The impact of digitally convergent media platforms:
Changes to radio
[OLD SCHOOL]
* Fm radio = Frequency Modulation: gives radio users high fluidity
* DAB [Digital Radio Broadcasting system] radio service in many countries around the world
* Interactive radio - digitally convergent platforms such a - viewers can interact via the TV - significant changes.
* The boom in downloading and streaming.
* Technological convergence as Sounds is available on PCs, laptops, tablets and phones.
- The slogan ‘Listen without Limits’ reflects the fact that the way in which the BBC distributes its content has changed in order to address developments in technology and audience consumption of content.
BBC Mission and Values
- The BBC is a public service broadcaster
- a reliable and trustworthy - high-quality
Mission: - to enrich peoples lives with programmes & services that inform,educate and entertain
VISION:
- To be the most creative organisation in the world
Values:
- trust in the foundation of BBC - independent, honest etc
- Respect each other and celebrate our diversity
Commercial Radio
A private broadcasting/ independent radio which is free to air service
PSB- PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING
Designed to serve the public. It is a concept, an approach to broadcasting
reithium
Bbc doesn’t rely on advertising
how will the audience respond to its social and contextual factors
Listening to Woman’s Hour - Audiences
neale
Oppositional response:
may not be in favour as the topic issue will not apply to them I.e. men etc
Negotiated Response:
Younger women would appreciate the productts but may not relate
Intended response:
* consists of young middle aged feminist females
* Engage & feel liberated & heard
* more educated
* thos who are intrested in female centre issue, they will believe its a good thing
Van zoonens theory
The media portrays images of stereotypical women
WH challenges stereotypes by giving woman more space
Female dominant radio
Bell Hooks
- Woman’s Hour, actively challenges the notion of a homogenous female experience by showcasing guests and addressing issues that reflect the diversity of its audience. = odcom diveristy - inc;usin p;an
- While Radio 4’s audience is often stereotyped as white and middle class
- Woman’s Hour broadens the conversation by highlighting the experiences of women from different ethnicities and class
- By amplifying voices that are often marginalized or overlooked, the program serves as a platform for intersectional feminism, acknowledging that women face unique challenges based on factors such as race, class, and ethnicity.
Emma Barnett
- Has experience
- Won award
- Her book is about ‘taboo’ women’s topics [e.g. Period. Its About bloody time]
- Encourages inclusitivity - diversity on show
- Her style is therefore light-hearted yet unafraid to explore emotionally sensitive and controversial issues: ‘her iron confidence is reassuring for the listeners …(www.the guardian. co.uk Jan 2021).
Anita Rani
- A familiar face that allows cultural diversity
- Encourages greater discussions around ethnicity
- She is one of the lead presenters on BBC One’s Countryfile and has become a familiar face on British television, presenting a range of explorative documentaries for the BBC including Bollywood: The World’s Biggest Film Industry and My Family, Partition and Me: India.
- The choice of Anita Rani addresses one of the key purposes in the creative remit of the BBC – ‘To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all’ (BBC annual report 2021/22)
The woman on Woman’s hours
Having two female presenters helps to target modern female audience. It reflects women in the media industry
Reflects the rise in feminism
Target audiences educated 35+
How does it appeal to the Audience - digital convergence
- broadcast at 10am mon-fri, - clever timetable, with an omnibus of ‘ best bitsof the week on a saturday - Aged 55+ woman close to retirement and families possibly have moved away. = gives them the opportunity to listen
- The programme airs a range of serious and
more light-hearted stories to appeal to the demographic. - This is a pro: reduces competition with its 10am slots
- Advances in technology have enabled radio audiences to access content across a range of digital platforms to suit their needs.
- in the use a of digital convergence, audiences have a range of ways they can access, this is through bbc website or bbc sound
- digital convergences offer opportuntities of interactionism,at the start of the episode presenter emma barnet invites the audience to contribute their opions by a range of platforms i.e. Audiences can respond to Woman’s Hour on Twitter, through the website and on other social media platforms.
- Audience’s often offer very different viewpoints in their responses, which are read out at the end of sections of the programme during the live broadcast and at the end of the Saturday omnibus edition.
how audiences interpret media like Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio,
audience
- They are different demographics that may have varying responses to the content.
- For instance, a male listener might feel somewhat alienated by the show’s focus on issues primarily concerning women, especially if they’re used to media with more gender-balanced representation.
- Conversely, some female listeners may find the all-female composition of the show appealing, as it could provide a space where their concerns are prioritised and addressed without being overshadowed/underrepresentd by male perspectives.
