Woman's hour radio show

Question 1

what is Woman’s hour?

Answer 1

A long running BBC radio 4 daily magazine programme

Question 2

when was the first edition of Woman’s hour broadcast?

Answer 2

October 1946 on the BBC’s light programme

Question 3

How has the distribution / broadcasting of Woman’s hour changed over time?

Answer 3

• it was originally broadcasted on the BBC light programme
• it then shifted to BBC 2 in 1967
• since 1973 it has been broadcasted on BBC 4. THe shift from BBC 2 to 4 was made during the early 1970s when BBC was reconstructing and changing their national radio networks, Radio 2 became dedicated to music and Radio 4 to speech and magazine programming

Question 4

what was BBC’s light programme?

Answer 4

a station which broadcasted entertainment and music from 1945 to 1967.

Question 5

when is Woman’s hour broadcasted?

Answer 5

every day 10am-11am with an omnibus on a Saturday at 4pm to allow for catch-ups (although the BBC sounds website and app also allows for on-demand listening of any episode at any time, which has made the omnibus less relevant in recent years)

Question 6

why is the Omnibus a beneficial aspect for audiences, and how does it reflect the shift for women in terms of feminism and gender equality?

Answer 6

the omnibus is reflective of the shift in roles of women historically and is a good way of targeting working women who cannot watch episodes during the weekday as they are working- the omnibus allows them to catch up on missed episodes.

Question 7

what are the core segments/topics of the programme?

Answer 7

The core segments of the programme are debates focusing on issues of particular interest to women, from domestic and family matters to broader societal and political debates.

Question 8

what was the programme seen as an attempt to do in 1946?

Answer 8

When the programme was first aired in 1946 it was seen as an attempt to target female housewives listening at home whilst they did their chores to prevent boredom

Question 9

what do archives suggest about what women thought of the programme when it was initially broadcasted?

Answer 9

archives show that many earlier female listeners felt the show was patronizing, dwelling on the plight of the housewife- the programme combined reports, interviews an debates on health, education, cultural and political issues aimed at women and mothers, and reflecting post war social priorities. whilst it did mention political and social issues, the central focus was primarily on topics stereotypically associated with women- servitude to the man of the house and becoming the ‘idyllic wife’

Question 10

what were the first topic features on the programme during the 1940s and 50s?

Answer 10

topics included ‘mothers midday meal’, ‘how to hang your husbands coat’ and ended with a feature on ‘how to put your best face forward’- a segment that suggested that a light dusting of powder could do wonders for your look and also your family morale

Question 11

who was the programme originally broadcasted by?

Answer 11

Alan Ivemy, who was said to be a specalist in ‘writing for and speaking to women’

Question 12

How has the programme evolved in terms of topics since the introduction of the radio show?

Answer 12

The programme has since evolved and charted a social and political revolution to touch on hard hitting subjects and focusing on political and social affairs more than leisure, specifically that female audiences would be affected by or interested in- abortions, domestic violence, Women’s health (specifically topics such as endometriosis and the difficulty of being listened to and diagnosed, IVF, masectomies etc) with a focus on lighter elements as well.

Question 13

The topics discussed are not always female centric, showing how the programme has evolved over the years- what are examples of this?

Answer 13

there are discussions about grief, adult literacy and disaster planning. Whilst the programme shows a female perspective on contemporary issues, the programme could also potentially be interesting for male audiences

Question 14

when was there a significant change in presenters?

Answer 14

in 2020 when long running presenters Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey left to be replaced by Emma Barnett and Anita Rani

Question 15

how long are the episodes and how many topics do they discuss?

Answer 15

Each episode is roughly around 57- 60 minutes long and centres around 3 main topics per episode. However, there are occasionally special edition episodes which focus more closely on a singular issue or topic. Some examples of this include:
1. 4th April 2025: ‘What life is like for women in prison’
2. 21st April 2025- ‘Woman’s hour special: decluttering’

Question 16

what happens during each episode?

Answer 16

Guest speakers and specialists are invited to make contributions to the topics, and a feature at the end of each episode allows audiences to make their own contributions by sending in comments with their opinions or even phone in- these collaboration opportunities are advertised on their website with a given Whatsapp Phone number to message and an email. This is also advertised on their social media sites such as Instagram, which offers a direct link to the website which shows audiences how to make contributions.

Question 17

what does the presenter announce on 21st April 2025- ‘Woman’s hour special: decluttering’

Answer 17

Presenter Nuala McGovern announces that listeners should not text in as they are not live, but that she will read out some contributions that audiences have already made ahead of the recording of the programme. She reads out several comments from both opposing sides- one female audience member who doesn’t know how to begin decluttering, being overwhelmed and it subsequently having a serious effect on her mental health, and another female audience member who loves decluttering and started with one room and has moved onto several.

Question 18

what do the contributions from audience members at the end of each episode add to?

Answer 18

audience interactivity (Henry Jenkins fandom theory) and the idea of co-authorship, but also links to the idea of woman’s house representing a diverse range of audience opinions and views and touching on real and hard hitting subjects such as struggling with mental health

Question 19

what is the BBC?

Answer 19

a public service broadcaster that is funded through public lisence fees, which are paid annually by anyone in Britain who accesses the BBC. it is around £179 a year

Question 20

what is the benefit of the BBC being publicaly funded?

Answer 20

As the BBC is funded by public license fees rather than advertisements, it doesn’t need to appeal to advertisers and means that they do not need to make mainstream content to attract wide, mass mainstream audiences unlike commercial radio programmes, therefore they can make ‘niche’ content which targets specialised audiences.

Question 21

The BBC has recently undergone several budget cuts, however this hasn’t necessarily affected Woman’s hour- why is this?

Answer 21

The budget cuts have not affected woman’s hour as it is reasonably low cost to produce and broadcast, and can be distributed digitally

Question 22

what is the mission statement of the BBC?

Answer 22

to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ and promote British culture to the wider world.

Question 23

what is the BBC considered by many people to be?

Answer 23

‘the pillar of British life’ and is considered to be a reliable and trustworthy source

Question 24

why does Woman’s hour have to need to fufill the BBC’s mission statement?

Answer 24

Audiences have seen other BBC work and have an established idea of quality and content

Question 25

how does Woman's hour fufill's the BBC's mission statement to be educational?

Answer 25

Woman's hour aims to be educational and informative about political and social issues, health and other lighter topics aimed towards a female audience- the programme invites specialists with specialist knowledge to participate in the debate especially when law, health and other serious topics are mentioned, ensuring everything that is discussed is educational and accurate

Question 26

How does Woman's hour fufill the BBC's remit to be diverse and inclusive?

Answer 26

Woman’s hour features voices from across the UK’s diverse communities, and through Anti Rani, one of the presenters herself who is of Punjabi-Indian descent, which strengthens cultural identity and celebrates diversity. Anita Rani is a familiar face on British Television and has presented a range of explorative documentaries for the BBC including ‘Bollywood: the world’s biggest filming industry’. The choice of Anita Rani addresses one or the key objectives set out in the remit- ‘to serve the diverse communities of all the United kingdom’s nations and regions’.

Question 27

who is Anita Rani and what does the choice as having her as a presenter for the radio show affect?

Answer 27

Anita Rani is a familiar face on British Television and has presented a range of explorative documentaries for the BBC including ‘Bollywood: the world’s biggest filming industry’. The choice of Anita Rani addresses one or the key objectives set out in the remit- ‘to serve the diverse communities of all the United kingdom’s nations and regions’.

Question 28

how does Woman's hour fufill the BBC's mission statement to showcase and represent British culture to the world?

Answer 28

Through interviews with international figures, coverage of global women’s issues and use of digital technology, Woman’s hour reaches a global audience and broadens audiences international perspective- for example, they have had notable guests such as Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Hilary Clinton- all notable global renowned figures, particularly in America.

Question 29

In what way may Woman's hour be considered 'niche'? and does it attract a mass audience?

Answer 29

Whilst woman's hour addresses topics that may be considered 'niche' and not suitable for commercial radio- such as women's health, gender inequality and social issues- it actually attracts a very large audience, indicating it's broader global appeal. The programme has a weekly reach of approximately 3.4 million listeners, demonstrating it reaches a wide audience rather than a smaller and more specialised one.

Question 30

how many people does the radio show reach per week?

Answer 30

The programme has a weekly reach of approximately 3.4 million listeners, demonstrating it reaches a wide audience rather than a smaller and more specialised one.

Question 31

why might Woman's hour reach a very wide audience despite the topics that are discussed with may be considered 'niche'?

Answer 31

This may be due to the remit of the BBC- the BBC encourages that all the media products it produces need to be diverse and serve all segments of the population- therefore programmes such as woman’s hour may feature topics which are not considered ‘mainstream’ but will still resonate with the majority of audiences.

Question 32

what other audiences may be interested in Woman's hour?

Answer 32

Whilst the programme focuses on female centered issues, it also discusses other topics from a female perspective that may be interesting to a male audience- such as political and social affairs and personal topics such as grief, which can offer insights that can engage male listeners as well.

Question 33

By woman's hour converging digitally to the BBC sound's platform in 2018, it has not only allowed for audiences to catch up to episodes, but what else?

Answer 33

it has also allowed audiences to select episodes that match their interests further enhancing it’s accessibility and appeal to diverse audiences, not just female audiences.

Question 34

who is the target audience for Woman's hour?

Answer 34

- primarily female audiences, although secondary audiences could be male -It's core demographic is women over the age of 35, typically part of the ABC1 social grade -appeals to reformers and aspirers, listeners who value knowledge, social change and personal growth -due to the time the show is broadcasted (10-11am on a weekday) suggests the potential audience that they are targeting. Younger, working women would be at work during this time, so the target audience could potentially be more domesticated/ retired women, although the omnibus on a saturday would appeal to working women of the same demographic too

Question 35

Women who listen to Women's hour are interested in what?

Answer 35

socially conscious, socially aware, educated, interested in current affairs, culture, health and gender based debates

Question 36

what is the average age of the radio 4 listener?

Answer 36

56 years old and 75% of radio 4 listeners fall into the ABC1 category

Question 37

the programme shifted from analogue FM to what?

Answer 37

Digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and the rise of downloading and streaming.

Question 38

what do the BBC pride themselves on in relation to digital technologies?

Answer 38

They pride themselves on embracing online platforms and being 'ahead of the game'.

Question 39

what happened in November 2018?

Answer 39

The BBC launched BBC sounds, a walled garden streaming service featuring live broadcasting, audio-on-demand and podcasts. Sounds is available on PC's, laptops, tablets and phones.

Question 40

what is BBC sound's available on?

Answer 40

PC's, laptops, tablets and phones

Question 41

what is the slogan of BBC sounds and what does this reflect?

Answer 41

'listen without limits'- which reflects the way that the BBC distributes its content and has changed in order to address developments in technology and audience consumption of the media

Question 42

what other platforms apart from BBC sounds is Woman's hour available on?

Answer 42

Apple podcasts, amazon music, Tuneln and Radio net

Question 43

what does the radio programme being available on multiple platforms allow for?

Answer 43

listeners to download and stream episodes on demand and catch up, making it much more flexible, accessible than traditional life radio and can allow for on-the-go listening

Question 44

what does BBC sounds offer to audiences?

Answer 44

-personalised recommendations -playlists -catch up features - streaming across devices through signing up with an account -offline listening -the ability to bookmark episodes

Question 45

what social media sites are Woman's hour available on?

Answer 45

-Twitter (X) -Facebook -Instagram

Question 46

what is social media used for for Woman's hour?

Answer 46

These platforms are used to share behind-the-scene content, interesting clips from recent episodes, quotes, audience polls, encouraging interaction and discussion.

Question 47

what does their instagram page have a link to?

Answer 47

A section on their website titled 'how contact Woman's hour' which gives audiences a phone number whatsapp contact and an email address which they can contact to share their opinions and make contributions during live broadcasts

Question 48

Woman's hour promoting that audiences make contributions reflect what?

Answer 48

The idea that contributions from audiences make up an intergral part of the broadcast. Audiences often offer very different view points in their responses, which are read out at the end of each episode during the live broadcast and at the end of the Saturday omnibus edition- co-authorship (reflects Clay Shirky's end of audience theory)

Question 49

What is Clay Shirky's end of audience theory?

Answer 49

Clay Shirky's end of audience theory argues that the rise of technology has had a profound impact on the relationship between audiences and the media- audiences are no longer passive consumers, but active prosumers- audiences have the ability to 'speak back' to the media in several ways- the contributions of audience members to the Woman's hour episodes symbolises the idea of co-authorship

Question 50

what was released in 2015?

Answer 50

A spin-off version of 'Woman's hour', aimed at targeting a younger audience- it was named 'late night womans hour' and featured more relaxed discussions about 'risque' and controversial topics which were not considered suitable for daytime radio such as sex. The radio programme had a late night slot at 11pm

Question 51

What is Hesmondhalgh's cultural industries theory?

Answer 51

The idea that conglomerates and companies in the media industry use tried and tested methods- risk averse formatting in order to minimise risk, maximise audiences and subsequently maximise profits. Companies are much more interested in profit results in safeness and repetitveness.

Question 52

what is Ofcom?

Answer 52

The UK's official regulator for broadcasting and television communications, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the media adheres to specific standards and serves the public interest by protecting them from harmful material . Anyone can complain to Ofcom and any breaches in codes.

Question 53

how is Woman's hour regulated?

Answer 53

Through a combination of external oversight by regulatory watchdog, ofcom and internal governance by the BBC themselves- the BBC has guidelines about what content can be published and broadcasted.

Question 54

what is the benefit of dual regulation from Ofcom and the BBC of Woman's hour?

Answer 54

ensure the programme maintains high standards of content quality and audience protection

Question 55

Ofcom has a broadcasting code- what is under the broadcasting code?

Answer 55

the broadcasting code ensures that all the information is accurate, citizens are protected from harmful, inappropriate and offensive material, and there is privacy for individuals featured in the broadcast and transparency in commercial references. (radio programmes need to be open about whether there is commercial content or advertising.

Question 56

what are some examples of woman's hour being under threat by ofcom?

Answer 56

Woman’s hour has previously been under threat by Ofcom- listeners can file complaints with ofcom directly if they believe these standards have been breached. In Feb 2021, Woman’s hour received 564 complaints regarding an interview with Zara Mohammed, the first female leader of the Muslim council of Britain. The main issue was an accusation of the bias and the hostile questioning style of presenter Emma Barnett. The BBc therefore removed all clips of this from any digital platform

Question 57

the BBC taking responsibility for breaching ofcom regulations and removing clips from their sites shows what?

Answer 57

Shows that the BBC are trying to appease audiences as well to try and avoid bad publicity or sanctions from ofcom.

Question 58

what is Livingstone and Lunts theory?

Answer 58

That there is an underlying struggle between the needs to further the needs of the consumer- entertainment, variety, quality and protecting the needs of the citizen- protecting them from harmful and offensive material

Question 59

How does Woman's hour relate to Livingstone and Lunts theory?

Answer 59

Livingstone and Lunts regulation theory can be applied to Woman’s hour as it shows a balance between ensuring the needs of the consumer and the citizen are both fulfilled- the radio show offers entertainment, quality, variety for a wide range of identities, and educational topics in a informative and respectful manner, which further the needs of the consumer, but each episode is also carefully regulated by both regulatory watchdog Ofcome and BBC guidelines to ensure that they protect the citizen from inappropriate content, harmful material, and incorrect factual material.

Question 60

how does Woman's hour/the BBC go against Livingstone and Lunt's ideas that technology has made media more difficult to regulate?

Answer 60

The BBC removing all clips from the interview with Emma Barnett and Zara Mohammed from all online platforms also goes against Livingstone and Lunts idea that digital technology has made it much more difficult to regulate media content.

Question 61

why did the BBC decide to broadcast 'late night woman's hour' at 11pm?

Answer 61

BBC decided to broadcast the programme at 11pm to avoid the show being regulated and monitored by the regulatory watchdog, Ofcom.

Question 62

what is late night woman's hour very reflective of?

Answer 62

The spin-off show is very reflective of the fact that radio listenership is declining in general, with many younger audiences preferring other forms of media- perhaps the BBC is very aware of this and realises the audience for woman’s hour is getting older and older, with many being over the ages of 65.

Question 63

what is Curran and Seaton's profit and power theory?

Answer 63

Curran and seaton argue that the media is primarily controlled by media conglomerates which dominate the industry, inhibiting variety, creativity and choice- the idea of media concentration. They also argue that conglomerates are primarily driven by the desire for profit and power.

Question 64

How does Woman's hour not fufill curran and seaton's profit and power theory?

Answer 64

Woman’s hour does not fit the theory that the programme is primarily made for the BBC’s desire for profit and power within the media industry- the mission statement of the BBC and the content in the radio programme has cultivated the idea to audiences that the BBC are attempting to educate and entertain their listeners, and want to make an impact and change in society for the better by offering a safe space for women to discuss integral topics to their lives and offer shared experiences and perspectives. The license fee of the BBC also frees BBC producers from the pressure to generate profit which in turn impacts the content of their products. Radio 4 also entirely opposes Curran and Seaton’s profit and power theory, as variety is not limited entirely and the BBC is not primarily making radio programmes for the purpose of profit and power. e.g there are shows such as ‘Farming today’ (targeting farmers) and ‘in touch’ (targeting the blind and partially sighted) which target specialised audiences, completely unconnected to the idea of profitability or popularity.

Question 65

How does Woman's hour fufill Hesmondhalgh's cultural industries theory?

Answer 65

BBC took the successful formula of ‘Woman’s hour’ which primarily targets older demographics, and altered it slightly to feature more controversial and ‘risque’ topics for younger audiences, but generally used the same format as they know it will be successful and appeal to audiences.

Question 66

how does Woman's hour challenge Hesmonghalghs' cultural industries theory?

Answer 66

Woman’s hour also doesn’t fit within Hesmondhalgh’s cultural industries theory as Radio programmes such as Woman’s hour are generally very inexpensive to produce which allows producers to have the opportunities to take risks and develop adventurous content that still manages to reach diverse international audiences.

Question 67

what is Stuart Hall's reception theory?

Answer 67

Hall argues that there are three different ways in which a consumer can decode an encoded message in a media product; intended, negotiated and oppositional. intended response means that the consumer has entirely understood the encoded message from the media producer. Negotiated response means that audiences recognise the encoded message but may adapt it slightly to fit their own belief system. An oppositional response means that the audience members recognise the encoded message but is entirely against it and refuses to accept it

Question 68

who may have a intended response to Woman's hour?

Answer 68

emale audiences such as pro-feminists and equal rights champions will see the programme as incredibly empowering as it shows a female perspective on underlying issues in society, social and political affairs and gives women a platform to discuss issues which are integral to their lives- such as being diagnosed with endometriosis, having abortions, going through pregnancy and childbirth etc. These female audiences will see the programme as a beacon of hope for women’s independence and a celebration of their diversity.

Question 69

who may have a negotiated response to Woman's hour?

Answer 69

any audience could have a negotiated reading if they do not enjoy the radio programme, they may find it boring but they appreciate the message behind it.

Question 70

why may male audiences have an oppositional reading to Woman's hour?

Answer 70

-male audiences are most likely going to have an oppositional reading to the programme as it offers a female perspective on societal and political issues, and discusses personal topics about women’s health, such as periods and abortions which they will not relate to - Some male audiences who have chauvinistic tendencies or may be insecure about the changing role of women may also have an oppositional reading.

Question 71

what was the name of the man that complained about the sexism of Womans hour?

Answer 71

some male audiences have argued that the radio programme is an example of ‘extreme feminism’- Steve Moxon argued that the radio show was a ‘blot on the BBC’ and complained that it had misrepresented him and that Woman’s hour over the years has continued to display ‘unfairness to men’.

Question 72

why may some female audiences have an oppositional response to Woman's hour?

Answer 72

Some women may also be opposed to the radio programme- some women are more comfortable with the patriarchal/outdated form of societal gendered oppression and may not be keen to progress socially- they may see Woman’s hour as unnecessary or evidence of political correctness ‘gone wrong’.

Question 73

what is Jenkin's fandom theory?

Answer 73

Jenkins argues that fans are active participants in the construction of textual meanings. Fans act as textual poachers and can construct their own identities by borrowing elements from media products.

Question 74

How can jenkin's fandom theory be applied to Woman's hour?

Answer 74

the programme fosters a participatory culture by encouraging listener interaction via social media, emails and online discussions- this gives fans a sense of co-authorship, that they are actively also creating the broadcast with the producers. Fan communities: through the programme’s activity on social media platforms, particularly on instagram and Twitter, fans have an area where they can debate topics, share clips and even share their own experiences with hard hitting topics that are discussed in episodes such as domestic abuse and assault; this creates a shared social identity.

Question 75

Jenkins theory mentions 'textual poaching'- how may this apply to Woman's hour?

Answer 75

Jenkins also refers to ‘textual poaching’, meaning that audiences pick and choose bits from media content to construct their own identities or repurpose media content in their own ways. Woman’s hour audiences may become textual poachers by blogging, vlogging or podcasting about issues raised on the show or even creating activist content inspired by themes discussed. (active fan engagement)

Question 76

Jenkins fandom theory mentions convergence culture, how does this apply to Woman's hour?

Answer 76

Jenkins also mentions convergence culture- the fact that a lot of media has shifted online and that the media flows across multiple platforms. Woman’s hour has converged digitally as clips from the program are shared over a range of social media platforms and articles which enables fans to engage with the content on multiple different platforms- this increases interactivity and the potential for fandom growth

Question 77

what is Bell Hook's intersectionality theory and how does it relate to Woman's hour?

Answer 77

Hooks argues that race, class and gender all have a role to play in determining to what extent an individual is exploited against, oppressed and discriminated against and that these factors shape the lived experiences of women. She also argues that lighter-skin women are often presented as more desirable in the media as they fit into western beauty ideals. Woman’s hour can be applied to hook’s theory as the radio show amplifies the voices of women from different racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring audiences are aware of the lived experiences of women from a variety of different experiences, reflecting hooks' idea that feminism should be intersectional. Episode’s often feature Black, Asian, LGBTQ+ and working class women, offering a wide range of identities and ensuring that an unrealistic view of the contemporary world is not created- women from all different backgrounds are given a voice. Woman’s hour supports an inclusive, socially conscious form of feminism, consistent with hooks' beliefs of fighting against all forms of oppression.

Question 78

what is Van Zoonen's feminist theory?

Answer 78

Van Zoonen argues that the media presents images of stereotypical women and this behaviour reinforces societal views. She also argues that women are often sexualised and their bodies objectified in the media for the male audience’s pleasure, and they have no other roles in the media product.

Question 79

How does Woman's hour challenge zoonens theory?

Answer 79

This theory may be applied as new ideologies and beliefs about women may be cultivated in the media by Woman’s hour showing a female perspective of the contemporary world- women are able to discuss politics and other pressing social affairs which challenges the idea that women are often presented in traditional ways in the media. Woman's hour actively challenges traditional representations of women that Zoonen critiques, and it moves beyond domestic and sexualised portrayals of women- this is shown through the guests which are featured in every episode. They are experts and specialists (scientists, doctors, activists, dermatologists, lawyers etc), survivors (of domestic abuse, physical and sexual abuse and survivors of discrimination) and leader and creators. (in business, arts and tech). This therefore also links to Gauntlett’s theory of identity, the empowering women that are invited to the programme in leading roles act as inspirational role models that the audience may want to construct their own sense of identity against. The programme also further challenges the representation of women in domestic roles with episodes discussing parenting and housework which question the expectations placed on women in society.

Question 80

How does Woman's hour agree with Zoonen's theory?

Answer 80

arguably the programme does still feature topics which centre around these stereotypes- women as mothers and homemakers, although these episodes do tend to question the expectations placed on women in society in these roles and whether husbands and other male figures in their lives should take more responsibility.