Context Flashcards
What is the primary focus of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour?
Charting a social and political revolution in women’s lives
Covers topics such as backstreet abortions, the introduction of the pill, and the fight for the Equal Pay Act.
When did Woman’s Hour first launch?
7 October 1946
The show has been on air for seven decades.
How many listeners does Woman’s Hour have weekly?
3.7 million listeners
It is the second most popular daily podcast across BBC Radio.
What percentage of Woman’s Hour listeners are under 35?
25%
40% of its listeners are male.
Who presented the first episode of Woman’s Hour?
A man
Alan Ivimey was hired to present the show.
What was a common complaint from listeners when Woman’s Hour launched?
The programme is much too patronising
Listeners wanted a programme to help them stay connected to the world outside their domestic chores.
What was the initial time slot for Woman’s Hour designed for?
To coincide with housewives’ downtime at 2pm
This timing allowed busy housewives a brief moment to relax before children came home.
Who described Woman’s Hour as ‘the Rolls Royce of Radio 4’?
Emma Barnett
She noted the show’s ability to engage deeply with its audience.
Fill in the blank: Woman’s Hour has explored taboo issues from the onset of menopause to _______.
female masturbation
This reflects the show’s evolution over time.
What did BBC bosses believe about hiring a woman to present Woman’s Hour?
A woman risked being ‘resented’ by her listeners
This belief influenced the decision to hire a male presenter initially.
