Component 1: Radio Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is The Archers?
A radio soap opera aired on Radio Four, considered part of British popular culture.
When was The Archers first established?
1951
What was the original purpose of The Archers?
To educate farmers and increase food production after WWII.
Where is the fictional community of Ambridge located?
In the fictional county of Borsetshire, in the English Midlands.
What is the tagline of The Archers?
Contemporary drama in a rural setting.
How often does The Archers air new episodes?
Six episodes a week, with an omnibus on Sunday.
What are the two categories of radio broadcasting?
- Public service broadcasting
- Commercial broadcasting
What’s the difference between them?
How is BBC Radio funded?
By a licence fee.
What is the BBC’s public service remit?
To educate, inform, and entertain.
How does The Archers maintain its quality of research?
By portraying real rural life.
How often does the production team of The Archers meet to plan storylines?
Biannually.
How many writers produce scripts in monthly meetings for The Archers?
Four writers.
How long is allocated for the recording of each episode?
Two hours.
What regulatory authority oversees radio broadcasting in the UK?
Ofcom.
What are some ways audiences can engage with The Archers?
- Omnibus on Sunday
- BBC Radio Four Extra
- Podcast downloads
- BBC iPlayer Radio
- Social media (Twitter, Facebook)
What is the significance of The Archers in terms of brand identity for the BBC?
It’s the most listened to BBC programme online.
What controversial topic has been addressed in The Archers recently?
Domestic abuse storyline of Rob and Helen.
According to Uses and Gratifications theory, why do audience members listen to The Archers?
- For entertainment
- To be informed or educated
- For social interaction
- For personal identity
What demographic primarily constitutes the audience of The Archers?
Well-educated middle-class professionals, mostly middle aged and above, white women.
True or False: The Archers has received complaints about becoming too similar to TV soaps.
True.
Fill in the blank: The Archers was originally created to _______.
[educate farmers]
What impact did the storyline of Rob’s abusive relationship have on the audience?
Raised over £100,000 in charitable donations.
Primarily for domestic abuse awareness and support charities
What does the term ‘multi-stranded narratives’ refer to in the context of The Archers?
Different listeners engage with various character storylines.
What is a notable example of a real-life event incorporated into The Archers?
The 9/11 attacks.
