The Archers Flashcards
(7 cards)
Background Context
The Archers airs on BBC Radio Four and has over 5 million listeners.
It’s a major part of British popular culture.
Running since 1951, it has six weekly episodes and a Sunday omnibus.
It’s the world’s longest-running radio soap opera.
The show is set in the fictional rural village of Ambridge, Borsetshire, in the English Midlands.
Tagline: “Contemporary drama in a rural setting.”
Historical Context
The Archers began in 1951 to educate farmers and boost food production after WWII.
It was used by the Ministry of Agriculture to deliver important farming messages.
Social and Cultural Context
The show is mostly set in real time, reflecting current events.
Writers include predictable real-life events in scripts.
Unforeseen events are quickly added by rewriting and re-recording scenes (e.g., 9/11, Princess Margaret’s death, 2001 foot and mouth outbreak).
Production Process
Biannual planning meetings for long-term storylines.
Monthly script meetings with four writers each producing a week’s scripts.
Recording occurs every four weeks; actors record 24 episodes over six days.
Each 13-minute episode has a two-hour studio allocation.
Episodes are broadcast 3–6 weeks post-recording.
Produced by the BBC, actors are not on retainers; they often work across various media.
Regulation and Funding
Ofcom oversees radio broadcasting standards and handles listener complaints.
As a BBC program, it’s funded through the UK licence fee, not advertising.
Digital Presence and Accessibility
Listening Options:
- Live broadcasts on BBC Radio 4.
- Sunday omnibus editions.
- Replays on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
-Podcasts and on-demand streaming via BBC iPlayer Radio.
Online Engagement:
- Official BBC website with additional content.
- Active social media presence on Twitter and Facebook.
Brand Significance
One of the BBC’s most listened-to online programs.
Strong brand identity and market share.
Considered a flagship show that audiences might pay to subscribe to if the licence fee were abolished.
Continuous efforts to keep the show fresh, including introducing new characters.
