WOMANS HOUR

Question 1

What is the audience demographic for Woman’s Hour?

Answer 1

Females
Aged between 30-55
ABC1 social class
Highly educated

Question 2

What is the audience psychographic for Woman’s Hour?

Answer 2

YOUNG AND RUBICAMS 4 C’S
Aspirers - women who may want to develop in the working world/knowledge of cultural issues/being a good parent or wife/a successful woman.

Reformers - may wish to fight for feminism.

Mainstreamers - the BBC is a large cooperation which would be attractive to a mainstream audience.

Question 3

How does host Anita Rani attract an audience?

Answer 3

Anita Rani is an established TV presenter, who has worked closely with the BBC (presenting Countryfile). Her Indian ethnicity and her celebration of this (seen in her documentaries surrounding Indian culture) brings diversity to the show too - meaning that more people can personally identify with her.

The choice of Anita Rani addresses
one of the key public purposes in the creative remit of the BBC – ‘To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United
Kingdom’s nations and regions’

Question 4

How does host Nuala McGovern attract an audience?

Answer 4

Nuala McGovern is an experienced broadcaster who has presented across the BBC network, and is currently one of the leading presenters on the BBC World Service. She has reported for the BBC on many important events in recent history, commentating at both the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III for the World Service. This poses her as a credible journalist, and perhaps bringing her own audience to WH.

She is also known for her warm and empathetic approach to interviews.

Question 5

How do the 2 female hosts attract an audience?

Answer 5

Having two female hosts of Woman’s Hour is significant considering the show began in 1946 with a male presenter, Alan Ivimey, who was often criticised for being overly patronising.

Therefore, the female presenters make the show relatable and align with the rise of feminism.

Question 6

How does the content covered on Woman’s Hour attract an audience?

Answer 6

The show both covers light-hearted and more serious stories, which makes the show both entertaining and informative.

Therefore, the show covers controversial topics that directly relate to women - informing them on these topics and offering female to female advice. Other topics are empowering for women. Topics which are culturally relevant also target the well-educated, upper/middle class woman due to intellectual topics, which are usually in the news at the time, being covered.

Question 7

Examples of light-hearted topics covered

Answer 7

December 2023 - Family dynamics at Christmas, in which listeners give embarrassing/sometimes comedic anecdotes.

October 2023 - The Black British Book Festival, in which hosts celebrate Black British female authors and their work.

Other episodes include “Women in the arts: Celebrating Female Directors”

Question 8

Example of hard-hitting topics covered

Answer 8

December 2023 - Sharron Gaffka talks about females being spiked, legislation surrounding spiking, and talks about her own personal experience with spiking.

October 2023 - Singer Leanne Pinnock talks about her experience of facing racism in the music industry as a black female, and other topics surrounding race such as ‘blackfishing’

Other episodes include “Overcoming domestic violence: Stories of resilience”

Question 9

How might the show be engaging for men?

Answer 9

Arguably, the show could be engaging to male audiences who are interested in a female perspective on particular topics.

Question 10

How is the shows scheduling attractive to audiences?

Answer 10

The show is stripped meaning it is on at the same time of the day and the same days each week (weekdays at 10am) This means that audiences who listen live can associate the show with a part of their day - encouraging loyalty and dedicated listeners. This would also attract the stay at home mum, alongside an older audience.

There is an omnibus every Saturday at 4pm which reflects changing audience behaviour as many women would be busy or working on weekdays.

Question 11

How is access to the live broadcast attractive to audiences?

Answer 11

(CROSS-MEDIA CONVERGENCE)

Despite being less popular, the BBC has kept up with the technological change from analogue to digital radio so the show can still be accessed on the radio.

Can be listened to live every weekday at 10am - can be accessed through analogue or digital radio (FM/AM or DAB). This would be attractive to the older audience, who are used to using the radio, commuters in their cars or stay-at-home mums.

Question 12

How is access to the show through BBC Sounds attractive to audiences?

Answer 12

(CROSS-MEDIA CONVERGENCE)

On BBC sounds, audiences can catch up on any episode or listen live on any device. This encourage accessible, on the go listening.

BBC Sounds slogan ‘listen without limits’ reflects the idea that the app is accessible, free and can be used at any time. This accommodates modern working women and modern technology. It also encourages a younger audience less likely to listen to the radio live. Reported in 2021 that 900,000 more BBC Sounds accounts were created by people between the ages of 16-34.

Question 13

How is access to the show through the Woman’s Hour Podcast attractive to an audience?

Answer 13

(CROSS-MEDIA CONVERGENCE)

Episodes are available on the Woman’s Hour website, where audiences can subscribe and get notified when a new episode releases. This encourages accessible, on the go listening.

These podcasts are also available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, encouraging a wider, global audience.

Question 14

How are the interactive elements of the show attractive to audiences?

Answer 14

On the Woman’s Hour website, audiences can apply to join in on discussions live on air. Alternatively, they can send comments on social media which might be aired in the show.
This increases engagement levels for the show, and targets an intellectual audience who wish to be involved in discussions on the show.

Question 15

How is the ‘read’ section of the website attractive to audiences?

Answer 15

There is also a ‘read’ section on the website, in which there are written stories surrounding topics relevant to woman’s hour eg “Maternal anxiety: Seven ways to break through”.

This poses Woman’s Hour as a credible means of advice and information for women as it covers a range of topics across a variety of mediums.

Question 16

How are the Woman’s Hour social media accounts attractive for an audience?

Answer 16

Woman’s hour has social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and X all under the same name (@bbcwomanshour) making it easy to find for audiences. Perhaps useful for the older part of the demographic who aren’t as used to using social media.
Small clips of the show are often added - so listeners can share/comment their opinions on episodes without being obliged to listen to the entire episode.
This might also attract a younger audience who are more avid users of social media.
On the accounts, the hashtag womanshour is used, encouraging audience interaction.

Question 17

Why might radio still be relevant today?

Answer 17

Audiences care about the content – new music, genre specific music, news, comedy, interviews, reviews, charts etc

Tradition or habit. People have grown up with radio.

It informs, entertains and offers a form of escapism for audiences.

It is free to access.

Question 18

Why might radio be irrelevant today?

Answer 18

Competition in other platforms and media products.

Isn’t often up to date with new music.

Audiences have less impact and influence over content than other mediums (can put own playlist together, have songs recommended on Spotify)

It isn’t visual or interactive.

Question 19

What is traditional and DAB radio?

Answer 19

FM/AM services are still available in the UK, however there has been an effort to promote a move to digital radio. This is because digital radio is able to carry more information and is therefore more efficient/carries nationally.

This can be seen through the BBC accomodationg for both types.

Question 20

What is interactive radio?

Answer 20

Radio on your PC/smartphone/tablet. This allows for more control, as audiences can choose to listen to previous broadcasts rather than listening to the current live broadcast.

Question 21

What is podcasting?

Answer 21

Episodic chat shows, similar to radio shows, which are broadcast. These can link to existing radio shows, or can be standalone.

Question 22

What were past expectations of radio?

Answer 22

Fixed programming schedule which gives consumers no choice.

Programmes targeting mass/broad audiences through analogue radio.

Listening to radio at specific times - for example news on the hour.

Less focus on the host, more on content/music/discussion/event.

Question 23

What are current expectations of radio?

Answer 23

The ability to choose from a range of broadcasts which appropriately appeal to the consumer.

Programmes targeting a range of audience thanks to DAB, offering more choice.

Being able to be constantly updated on the news.

Greater focus on the persona of the host - star appeal and personal identity.

Question 24

How was the show originally received at its release in 1946?

Answer 24

It focused on women in the cosmetic sphere, often discussing activities such as cooking or looking after the husband.

Originally presented by Alan Ivemy

Originally aired at 2pm - a time where housewives could relax before children returned from school.

At the time, women found it patronising and too focused on domestic content, they wanted to feel more in touch with the outside world.

Question 25

What are the conventions of speech-led radio?

Answer 25

Discussions/phone ins - these are effective, cheap ways of engaging the listeners which enables them to offer their point of view. Presenter - acts as an anchor to guide the content. Some radio shows are built around the presenter and their persona. Contributors - experts of those knowledgeable in a particular field or topics are invited for discussion or to lead programmes.

Question 26

How is the BBC funded?

Answer 26

Is a public service broadcaster, meaning that it is funded by the licence fee as opposed to commercial broadcasts who rely on advertising. This means it has a remit in order to stay in the interests of the public.

Question 27

Why can the BBC broadcast niche shows such as Woman's Hour?

Answer 27

Being unreliant on advertisements, and the licence fee providing a stable source of revenue, it means that the BBC are able to take risks within their content - they can produce niche broadcasts which aren't necessarily attractive to a mainstream audience.

Question 28

What is the BBC's remit and how does Woman's Hour adhere to it?

Answer 28

“Inform, educate and entertain” this remit is fulfilled by Woman’s Hour. It entertains - through the hosts' interaction with guests/audiences themselves. It informs and educates through more serious topics such as racism in the music industry.

Question 29

What is BBC Radio 4's remit and how does Woman's Hour adhere to it?

Answer 29

It also fulfils BBC Radio 4's remit of providing a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes due to it being a magazine style chat show.

Question 30

How does the show align with the BBC's public purposes?

Answer 30

Through discussing current affairs, promoting education, being creative (a niche show specifically targeted at women) and developing with technological advances.

Question 31

How is the BBC intergrated and how is this beneficial?

Answer 31

The BBC is vertically integrated, meaning it owns companies which undertake different stages of the production process - for example broadcasting radio and television. This means that they have increased control of their products, they beat competitors and keep production costs low.

Question 32

How does Ofcom regulate radio?

Answer 32

Ofcom regulates radio - the way they do this is through: Ensuring high quality broadcasts Ensuring there is a wide range of content Protecting audiences against offensive or harmful material Protecting audiences against unfairness or infringement of privacy

Question 33

How are the BBC self-regulatory?

Answer 33

However, the BBC are also self-regulatory meaning they work with producers to ensure there will be no need for external regulation. Examples of this in the BBC can be seen in February 2021, the BBC received 564 complaints regarding a Woman’s Hour interview with Zara Mohammed, the first female leader of the Muslim Council of Great Britain. The main issue was an accusation of bias and the hostile questioning style of presenter Emma Barnett. The BBC subsequently removed the clip of the interview from digital platforms.

Question 34

What are the key ideas of Curran and Seatons Power and Media Industries theory?

Answer 34

The media are controlled by a small number of companies primarily driven by profit and power. Media concentration generally limits variety, creativity or quality. More socially diverse patterns of ownership help to create the conditions for more varied and adventurous media production.

Question 35

How does the BBC/Woman's Hour go against Curran and Seatons idea of profit and power?

Answer 35

Despite the BBC being a large company, it challenges the idea of profit and power as due to the companies structure (as a PSB which is publicly funded) it is able to produce diverse and unique content - due to a lack of reliance on advertising for revenue - such as Woman’s Hour, a niche show as it only targets women. Also, podcasts have low production costs - meaning that the rise of podcasts such as Woman’s Hour has inspired the production of other niche podcasting shows which cover a wide range of content. This generates more diversity in podcast content and therefore the ability to take more risks.

Question 36

What are the key ideas of Henry Jenkin's Fandom Theory?

Answer 36

The idea that fans are active participants in the construction and circulation of textual meanings. The idea that fans appropriate texts and read them in ways that are not fully authorised by the media producers (‘textual poaching’) The idea that fans construct their social and cultural identities through borrowing and inflecting mass culture images, and are part of a participatory culture that has a vital social dimension.

Question 37

How does Henry Jenkin's Fandom theory apply to Woman's Hour?

Answer 37

Audiences may ‘participate’ and feel a connection with stories about personal finance, love etc. which consequently constructs their social/cultural identity. The interactive elements also support the idea of the prosumer - audiences are now a part of the media products in which they consume.

Question 38

What are the key ideas of Shirky's End of an audience theory?

Answer 38

The idea that the Internet and digital technologies have had a profound effect on the relations between media and individuals. The idea that the conceptualisation of audience members as passive consumers of mass media content is no longer tenable in the age of the Internet, as media consumers have now become producers who ‘speak back to’ the media in various ways, as well as creating and sharing content with one another.

Question 39

How does Shirky's end of an audience theory relate to Woman's Hour?

Answer 39

The BBC is at the forefront of technology. Early invention of i-player means older audiences are more accustomed to accessing pre-recorded content and streaming. This makes them more familiar with the concept of BBC Sounds, as an example. It is also available as a podcast which is accessible to a digitally literate audience. Cross media convergence - Woman’s Hour can be listened to as a live broadcast, streamed or downloaded as a podcast.

Question 40

What are the key ideas of Livingstone and Lunt's regulation theory?

Answer 40

The idea that there is an underlying struggle in recent UK regulation policy between the need to further the interests of citizens (by offering protection from harmful or offensive material), and the need to further the interests of consumers (by ensuring choice, value for money, and market competition). L&L say that this impacts on REGULATION. There is a ‘citizen model’ of regulation and a ‘consumer model’. CITIZEN MODEL – directs media makers to contribute to the enrichment of the cultural and social life of audiences. CONSUMER MODEL – champions consumers choice to encourage media plurality ( having a diversity of viewpoints available and consumed across the media) . Audiences rely much more on their own judgements of quality, truthfulness and enjoyment.

Question 41

How does Woman's Hour apply to Livingstone and Lunt's theory?

Answer 41

Despite discussing potentially taboo or sensitive topics (which would be appealing to the consumer), these are handled in the non-offensive manner expected of a pre-watershed/morning broadcast. However, the BBC have tackled the issue of regulation being difficult through creating a spin-off show to Woman’s Hour - Late Night Woman’s Hour - which includes more graphic discussions and swearing which would only be appropriate post-watershed. The BBC is regulated by Ofcom as established in the Communication Act of 2003. The role of Ofcom includes ensuring that services such as radio are of high quality and appeal to a wide audience and to protect audiences from offensive or harmful material. Anyone can complain to Ofcom about a programme. The BBC operates both a consumer-based regulatory model offering choice for audiences and a citizen-based one, taking responsibility to self-regulate its content. As a PSB, the BBC has strict guidelines about what content can be broadcast or published.

Question 42

How does the BBC challenge Livingstone and Lunts theory through their self-regulation?

Answer 42

seemingly challenges Livingston and Lunt’s assumption that ‘new media’ is harder to regulate. The BBC has considered the access of potential audiences and regulated within the institution. For example, in February 2021, the BBC received 564 complaints regarding a Woman’s Hour interview with Zara Mohammed, the first female leader of the Muslim Council of Great Britain. The main issue was an accusation of bias and the hostile questioning style of presenter Emma Barnett. The BBC subsequently removed the clip of the interview from digital platforms.

Question 43

What are the key ideas of Stuart Hall's reception theory?

Answer 43

Stuart Hall states that as the audience of a given piece of media text, there are 3 different ways to interpret said text. Producers generally encode a specific message or meaning within their product and then the audience decodes it in 1 of 3 ways: Preferred reading, oppositional reading or negotiated reading.

Question 44

How might Woman's Hour apply to Stuart Hall's reception theory?

Answer 44

The choice of presenters, guests, topics and scheduling time encodes messages about the ethos of the BBC and its commitment to provide content for a range of audiences. Some audiences will welcome a programme dedicated to pertinent issues relevant to women today, while others may question the need for such a specialised product.

Question 45

How does bell hook's feminist theory apply to Woman's Hour?

Answer 45

Despite Radio 4’s audience being often pigeonholed as being white and middle class. bell hooks has written about how women of lower class or different ethnicity are even more oppressed by patriarchy. Woman’s Hour challenges this by featuring guests and issues that reflect diversity in the female audience.