Industry

Question 1

How does this episode meet the needs and purposes of the BBC as a PSB?

Answer 1

• Laverne directs the discussion and questions back to craft – fulfilling ‘creative’ remit of BBC.
• One of the guests discusses the fact she is non-judgemental of other cultures. Reflects PSB remit and diversity.
• Hygge – cultural discussion – Scandinavian. Diversity remit
• Wide range of guests represents BBCs remit for diversity and the fact that as a PSB they can explore minority views – no need for commercial success
• Reference to Bake Off towards the end – craft and creativity
• Psychotherapist and author – alternative views? Fitting BBC remit/mission
• Debate and argument between guests – impartial
• Intellectual language “antithesis of IKEA”, “cultural value” discussion of balance between home and work, “enterprise and capitalism,” “industrialisation,” “white Anglo-Saxon protestant men” – suggestion that it appeals to a more academic/sophisticated audience – Educate
  She makes a joke about domesticity “I’m not doing very well at any of those things. Fail. Fail. (LAUGHTER).” – entertain

Question 2

How is this programme distributed and consumed? What benefits does this provide?

Answer 2

Think about how radio is scheduled during the day. What does the 11pm slot give the show? Late Night Woman’s Hour has an 11 p.m. broadcast timeslot. Consider how this slot might limit audience share prior to DAB. Audiences can now listen on devices other than radios and download podcasts to enjoy at their leisure which means the time a broadcast airs live might be less significant.

It might also be argued that DAB technology affords broadcasters more freedom. The late night slot (after the watershed) allows broadcasters freedom to make challenging or controversial content in the knowledge that it can still reach audiences.

Question 3

Examples of taboo and how this is benefited by how the programme distributed and consumed (Late night woman’s hour)

Answer 3

After just a week on air, Late Night Woman’s Hour has already seen one contributor blurt out the word “fuck”, and hosted a lively discussion about “self-lubricating anuses”.
Listeners have praised its in-depth discussions on woman’s affairs and said it provides a refreshing antidote to some of the BBC’s other content.

Question 4

DAB and Podcast

Answer 4

Question 5

Licence Fee considerations

Answer 5

Consider the significance of license fee funding and compare this to the financial considerations of commercial radio e.g. would this broadcast be too “niche” for commercial radio?

The broadcast has only female contributors, is made up predominantly of unadorned dialogue (without music, sound effects etc.) and the topic is explored using intellectual and specialised vocabulary.