Late Night Woman's Hour

Question 1

What is LNWH a spin off from?

Answer 1

Woman’s hour

Question 2

What is some product context of LNWH?

Answer 2

• Broadcast once a month, late at night
• Presented by Lauren Laverne and features a number of female panelists
• On BBC R4

Question 3

What is significant of each episode of LNWH?

Answer 3

Each episode focuses on a particular theme relevant to its female audience

Question 4

How does LNWH demonstrate societal shifts?

Answer 4

LNWH features frank and open discussion, it is also unusual for a strictly female panel to feature on a radio show which shows an increase in gender equality

Question 5

What are the aims of BBC productions?

Answer 5

inform, educate, entertain

Question 6

What type of company is the BBC?

Answer 6

Public service broadcaster which gets funding from the government and license fees

Question 7

When was Woman’s Hour first broadcast and why is this significant?

Answer 7

It was first broadcast in the 1940s. There has been significant historical and social shifts since then and this is evident in the LNWH productions through the full female panel and topics discussed in the show

Question 8

What is funding like for LNWH?

Answer 8

It is a PSB, funding is limited

Question 9

What are the key features of the LNWH radio episodes?

Answer 9

• Strictly female contributors
• Predominantly unadorned dialogue (without music/sound effects)
• Topics explore are usually intellectual with specialised vocabulary

Question 10

What could be said about having Lauren Laverne as the host for LNWH?

Answer 10

Lauren Laverne is an interesting host choice as she is most commonly known for her association with alternative music and reputation for being outspoken and irreverent.

Question 11

How are LNWH broadcasts tailored to the hosts persona?

Answer 11

LNWH broadcasts are tailored to her persona as there is less regulation after the watershed which allows her to be outspoken and controversial.

Question 12

What is the link between the controversy in LNWH episodes and audience reach?

Answer 12

Target audiences, especially young adult females, are likely to find this aspect of the show appealing. It may also help reach out to a wider range of listeners thus increasing audience share

Question 13

How are audiences categorised for LNWH?

Answer 13

Audiences are categorised in terms of age, social class and expected levels of education

Question 14

What keyword could you use to describe the LNWH audience?

Answer 14

Niche

Question 15

How is LNWH distributed and circulated?

Answer 15

• DAB Radio (BBC R4)
• Podcasts
• Apps on digitally convergent platforms such as computers and smartphones

Question 16

What is the time slot that LNWH is scheduled to air? How is this significant in terms of audience share?

Answer 16

11pm broadcast time slot. This might have previously limited audience share but now consumers can listen on devices other than radios which means the time a broadcast air live might less significant

Question 17

What does the broadcasting time slot allow the broadcasters of LNWH to do?

Answer 17

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 18

How might LNWH support Curran and Seaton’s media theory?

Answer 18

It supports the idea that socially diverse patterns of ownership help create conditions for varied and adventurous productions

Question 19

What is significant about the gender bias amongst the panellists of LNWH?

Answer 19

Radio 4 has a traditional male audience, the content of the show could be explored against the traditional demographic of Radio 4

Question 20

Why might some of the content of the episodes be purposely controversial?

Answer 20

To invite strong response and polarise audience opinion to raise awareness and create discussion about topics

Question 21

How might LNWH be compared to other female dominated media texts such as Loose Women? How could this be linked to Stuart Halls’ reception theory?

Answer 21

Loose Women will often have male guests whereas LNWH doesn’t. This might be unsettling or alienating for male listeners; and could also create an oppositional reading in terms of a masculine response to the show.