Radio Unit - Lesson 1

Late Night Women's Hour - Radio

Spin off of Women's HourBroadcast on BBC Radio 4Presented by Lauren Laverne

• How does LNWH meet the needs of its audience?

• Discusses the idea of women like things to do, such as cooking and reading.

• Also makes reference to Women's roles in society back in the day and also nowadays.

• The language they use is quite sophisticated so it appeals to the middle class audience, they also use big words 'democratisation'.

• 'I knew our marriage was over when we bought an Ikea wardrobe' - quite snobby, by dismissing an Ikea wardrobe it suggests that they buy things way more expensive and high end than normal.

• Also takes the form of a round table discussion - nobody shouts over each other which is quite professional. Quite 'egalitarian' which means they are all equal they are not one over each other.

• 'Winter mug' - the mode of address is extremely middle class, its a panel of middle class people talking to a middle class audience. However, working class people can still listen to it and understand.

• It paints a utopia 'perfect world' image.

• Entire show is about hygge - and quizzing the danish person on it.

• Creates a binary between men and women it talks about hardworking men and emotional women.

• 'Gasp at 20 books'

• Sexist show to an extent with talking about women doing the cooking and housekeeping etc.

• Who is the target audience for this programme?

• Women that are middle aged and middle class as the language used in this radio show is quite high end and sophisticated.

• Could appeal to feminists as it is an all female panel.

• Appeals to an international audience as one of the panel is danish.

• What regulatory issues arise from this particular episode?

• OFCOM - no material that is likely to harm or offend, there is dashes of sexism but you really need to pick it out and due to the time it is shown (11pm this isn't the dominant ideology)

• Why does the BBC broadcast this show?

• Possibly makes the BBC seem friendly as the show is very friendly whilst discussing certain topics.

• BBC is a PBS - biggest in the world and isn't paid for by advertising however it has certain necessities and needs to do certain things.

• To inform, educate and entertain.

• BBC have a remit and have to produce a range of shows that target a range of audiences.

Woman's Hour - Context

• First broadcast was in 1946 at 2pm in the afternoon.

• The first broadcast was immediately after WW2, getting the morale back up and getting them to rebuild after WW2.

• Designed to educate female audiences and was purposely put on at a time which would be ideal for an average females day for example being around picking the kids up from school and cleaning etc.

• Moved in the 70's to a radio channel due to diversification of audience.

• Big criticism of the show was that the show was too middle class.

• Topics discussed such as 'How to hang your husbands suit'.