Woman Hour - Audience + Industry

Where is it broadcasted?

Broadcasted on BBC Radio 4 as a daily "magazine" programme. Means they have presenters and guests who talk about specific issues

When was it first broadcasted?

1946 - presented by Alan Ivimey.

An attempt to target female audience, housewifes at home

Male interviewer, male dominated field

What did the old broadcast talk about?

Topics were mainly domestic - first programme names were "Mothers midday meals" and "how to put your best face forward"

How often was it broadcasted?

Everyday at 10am, reaching the housewife audience. It was broadcasted again on Sundays for people who missed it.

How has it changed over the years?

Digitally mobilised - On the go, more convinient for the 'modern' woman.

How has digital technology impacted how audiences listen to Womans hour?

Mobilised industry - BBC Sound, amazon music, Spotify to appeal to a younger demographic as well as appealing to the 'working' woman

What type of business is the BBC?

Public service broadcaster - focus on serving the public through a diverse range of products to fulfil the needs of the public

BBC is a large organisation with numerous products however they are NOT a conglomerate.

How does the BBC funding appeal to WH?

Funded by a license fee - a need to fulfil the public needs (Inform, educate, entertain), can take more creative risks as it does not need to appeal to advertisers, can create more niche content that does not need to appeal to the masses.

Is WH a high or low budget product to produce?

Low budget as it does not take a lot of money to produce, easy for the BBC to continue to make it

How does Anita Rani help the BBC?

Helps further prove BBC's devotion to further diversifies the BBC, which further promotes the interests of the general public , diversifies the stories as well

How do two female presenters help reach a target audience?

Help target modern female audiences, reflects changes in society, inclusion of more women in the radio industry - WH is all about giving women a platform to speak about their own personal stories/struggle while diversifying their brand as well as informing, educating and entertaining the general public.

How can female audiences relate to the episodes?

WH tend to bring in 'normal' women who have everyday struggles, may be able to relate to the podcast which creates more engagement for WH. Often tackle 'taboo' topics which usually would not be discussed in mainstream media.

How can their target audience impact their content?

Their target audience is 55+ which means that some of their episodes will be about the struggle/news of things to do with older generation.

How do they interact with their audiences?

Twitter (X) is a huge platform WH use, posting daily as well as asking rhetorical questions like "Did your experience of childbirth change your plans to have more children?" - direct address helps engage audiences into listening to the podcast,

Do all audiences agree with WH?

Stuart Hall reception theory (preferred, negotiated, oppositional) - some may disagree with points being made and may even take offence. Some may find that WH does not talk about all issues and should do more to tackle problems within the media.

Some men could feel like WH is sexist as it solely focuses on Women's issues rather than women and mens.

Some could argue that WH still focuses on domestic life rather than a modern approach, 'Six cleaning hacks from Instagrams Queen of Clean."

Who regulates radio?

OFCOM is the regulator for radio. Radio listeners are decreasing over the years as younger people prefer to consume media in other forms however this has not affected WH in the same way it has affected other radio shows as audiences can listen to WH through podcast.