audiences Flashcards
social context:
what is the BBC considered as?
Not one to shy away from controversy
social context:
what has the BBC opened the gates to?
opened the gates to less talked about topics and issues in recent years
social context:
what has been building for some time?
The domestic abuse storyline of Rob and Helen
social context:
what are the listeners’ privileged position?
of being able to eavesdrop in on characters’ private conversation has added a very real touch to the storyline
social context:
what has audiences witnessed from the story of Rob and Helen?
first-hand Rob’s controlling nature, his coercive behaviour and insidious ways (e.g. constantly undermining Helen’s looks and clothing)
coercive
relating to or using force or threats
insidious
(of something unpleasant or dangerous) gradually and secretly causing harm
social context:
what has the audiences witnessed of Rob’s action?
and listened whilst he has progressively isolated her from friends and family
social context:
what has the realistic portrayal of this storyline done?
has even prompted audiences to raise over £100,000 in charitable donations, proving the importance of such a show – and the strong relationship it has forged with its audience
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what has radio soap operas historically always as?
focused primarily on women’s lives, particularly family relationships, domesticity and marriage
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
therefore, what was the target audience traditionally?
females who looked after the home
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what is due to multi-stranded narratives?
Listeners from different walks of life could engage with the show in different ways
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what might you be rooting for as a listener?
for one particular character whilst your friend might be interested in another character relationship entirely (multi-stranded narratives)
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what is the archers perceived as?
a high quality soap opera
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what has the archers distinguishes itself from?
TV soaps by providing soap for the educated middle-classes
consider the ways in which media organisations target audiences:
what does it mean if radio four has a high cultural status?
the audience for The Archers consists mainly of well-educated middle-class professionals, most of whom are middle aged and above, white women
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
why was the archers a familiar friend for many of these listeners?
provided a comforting background and, until fairly recently, there was an unwritten rule that nothing too terrible would ever happen
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what has some listeners complained in recent years?
give one example from the storyline of rob and Helen
that The Archers is beginning to mimic the excesses of TV soaps such as EastEnders.
The most notable example of this is the 2016/17 storyline of Rob’s abusive relationship with his wife
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what has some listeners they once considered as?
they once considered to be light, mellow drama, has now morphed into actual melodrama
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
why has the archers move attract new listeners?
due to it being a melodrama which they are welcomed by the broadcasters
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what is the argument?
that such shows should reflect the society in which they are aired
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what has the move given the BBC the opportunity to do?
to open a conversation about topics like domestic violence
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what is imp to understand as the BBC can be accessed from around the world?
that some of the online audience is global, including British people living abroad
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what is the archers a crucial way for?
for them to keep in touch with British life
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what has some listeners from urban areas stated?
how they like the sense of rural life that is evident in the show
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what may the audience dream of?
Perhaps, like many, they dream of getting away from the city and moving to the country and helps them imagine this for a short time.
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what is the Blumler and Karl’s Uses and Gratifications theory?
a communication theory that focuses on the ways in which individuals actively seek out and use media to satisfy their specific needs and desires
consider how audiences may respond to and interpret media products, and the social, cultural and political significance of media products:
what can we argue that audience members listen with the uses and gratification theory?
- simply for entertainment/diversion from their everyday lives
- to be informed or educated about rural life or topical issues that the storyline may be dealing with
- for social interaction to discuss with
family/friends or by continuing the conversation on Twitter or Facebook - for personal identity, to compare their life
experiences with those of the characters.
who are the audiences of the archers?
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