Media - Radio - The Archers Flashcards
Where is it aired?
Radio 4 (talk station - lots of news)
How many weekly listeners does The Archers have?
5 million
When did it establish?
1951 - world’s longest running radio soap drama
When it is on?
2pm and 7pm, 6 episodes a week and an omnibus on Sunday
What is its tagline?
‘Contemporary drama in a rural setting’
Where is it set?
In the fictional village of Ambridge, in the county of Borsetshire
What pub do the characters all meet at?
The Black Bull
When did soap operas originate and who were the audience? Why?
1930s, females (they would be at home doing the chores), so they often feature strong female characters and matriarchs.
Where can fans engage?
BBC website and social media fees
Why was The Archers established?
Just after WW2 (rationing just finished and Britain’s economy needed building), therefore needed more food production. Was a way for Ministry of Agriculture to communicate important information - EDUCATION
What sort of narrative is it?
Multi-stranded (key convention for soap operas, but sets Archers aside from other radio soap operas who are usually single narrative).
What does the storyline usually revolve around?
Relationships (family, friends and work) -> reflects real life
Does soap operas have more dialogue or action?
Dialogue
Where does the drama originate from in soaps?
Conflict between characters
Why does The Archers sometimes have to be re-recorded?
Portrays events at time of the broadcast, so if a major event happens, this will need to be added in. -> shows verisimilitude
How often does recording take place?
Every 4 weeks
How long are the actors employed for and how many episodes do they record?
6 days, record 24 episodes
How long is each episode and how much time is given for recording?
13 minutes, 2 hours studio time
How long after recording and episodes broadcast?
3-6 weeks
Where can audiences listen not live?
Catch up BBC Radio 4 Extra (repeated), downloading the podcast or listen ‘on demand’ on BBC sounds.
How many episodes have there been of The Archers?
20,000+
Where can audiences listen live?
BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 website
How does The Archers have technical convergence?
You can listen on serval platforms, all on one device (e.g BBC Radio 4, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 4 Extra)
How is The Archers a cross-media product?
Incorporates different forms of media (social media, podcast, radio)
What does The Archers pride itself in?
Portraying rural life
What quality is The Archers perceived as?
High quality
The Archers audience?
Well-educated, middle-class, professionals ABC1 (mostly middle-aged, white women)
Why does The Archers have loyal followers?
Been on air for 70+ years
How many characters are there and why is this significant?
100+ characters -> appeals to wide audience (different genders, ages, sexualities, ethnic backgrounds)
What are some social media pages where fans can collaborate?
X and Facebook
How has The Archers become more cutting edge?
Introducing controversial topics (reflecting problems in society) -> realism
Who may be oppositional readers due to The Archers becoming more cutting edge?
Older audiences as they may be against the ‘melodramatic’ storylines
What is the BBFC?
British Board of Film Classification, regulates and relates films in Britain (gives a set of BBFC classification guidelines).
What is the purpose of the BBFC?
To protect children from ‘unsuitable and even harmful content’ AND provides media consumers with information about a film (so they can make an informed decision).
What may the BBFC consider?
Discrimination
Imitable behaviour
Violence
What are the age categories for theatrical release?
U, 12A, 15
Why are age ratings important?
Enables a film to ATTRACT its target audience ( most blockbusters will aim for 12A to appeal to wider audience).
Why is the BBFC reviewed regularly?
It updates in response to social change (key development in 1974 after the Jamie Bulger case).
Why is a film more likely to be given a higher rating on DVD than for cinema release?
As at home the marketers can’t know if they are accompanied or not.
What should U-rating include?
Set with a positive framework, offers reassuring counterbalances to any threat/ violence /scary scenes
Dangerous behaviour for U-rating?
Clearly disapproved or completely unrealistic
Discrimination for U-rating?
Unlikely to be acceptable
Drugs for U-rating?
Reference to drugs must be infrequent or innocuous, or have valuable messaging to young children
Language for U-rating?
May be mild and infrequent
Nudity for U-rating?
May be occasional with no sexual relevance
Sex for U-rating?
Mild sex reference / behaviour (e.g kissing)
Threat and scary scenes for U-rating?
Very mild, reassuring outcome
Violence for U-rating?
Very mild and justified by context (e.g comedic), mild injury detail
What should a PG rating NOT do?
Shouldn’t unsettle a child around 8 years
Why might some people have an oppositional reading to The Archers becoming more cutting edge?
Too ‘melodramatic’, unrealistic and sensationalist
