The Archers
This an evolving media product
This is an example of contemporary radio industry
Example of commercial radio industry and contemporary radio audiences
Aired on BBC Radio 4 (nation’s main-spoken word channel + funded by licence fee)
six days a week including an omnibus → Sunday mornings 10am
It is the longest-running radio soap opera.
set in the fictional farming community of Ambridge → fictional county of Borsetshire.
tagline → contemporary drama in a rural setting
portrays events taking place on the date of broadcast → variety of topical events are included → this soap opera always happens in real time.
Made after WW2 to educate farmers about modern farming methods → way to increase food production
Reflect contemporary issues (e.g Helen and Rob episode)
Helen’s trial → significant media reaction → Helen Titchener fund was set up by The Archers Fan + money went towards domestic victims
regulated by Ofcom → sets standards for programmes + examines specific complaints by listeners about programmes.
A middle class audience
Fans of soap operas
Older demographic
Higher socio-economic groups
BBC opened gates to less talked about topics + issues recently (e.g Domestic abuse between Rob and Helen)
Audiences witnessed + listened to Rob’s controlling nature; cohesive behavior towards Helen → raised over £100,000 in charitable donations
Information: Its purpose is to teach listeners what it’s like to be a farmer
Entertainment: The drams and cliff-hangers and intriguing and cliff-hanging
This an evolving media product
This is an example of contemporary radio industry
Example of commercial radio industry and contemporary radio audiences
Aired on BBC Radio 4 (nation’s main-spoken word channel + funded by licence fee)
six days a week including an omnibus → Sunday mornings 10am
It is the longest-running radio soap opera.
set in the fictional farming community of Ambridge → fictional county of Borsetshire.
tagline → contemporary drama in a rural setting
portrays events taking place on the date of broadcast → variety of topical events are included → this soap opera always happens in real time.
Made after WW2 to educate farmers about modern farming methods → way to increase food production
Reflect contemporary issues (e.g Helen and Rob episode)
Helen’s trial → significant media reaction → Helen Titchener fund was set up by The Archers Fan + money went towards domestic victims
regulated by Ofcom → sets standards for programmes + examines specific complaints by listeners about programmes.
A middle class audience
Fans of soap operas
Older demographic
Higher socio-economic groups
BBC opened gates to less talked about topics + issues recently (e.g Domestic abuse between Rob and Helen)
Audiences witnessed + listened to Rob’s controlling nature; cohesive behavior towards Helen → raised over £100,000 in charitable donations
Information: Its purpose is to teach listeners what it’s like to be a farmer
Entertainment: The drams and cliff-hangers and intriguing and cliff-hanging
