Industry

• As The Archers is produced by the BBC it falls into public service broadcasting as the BBC is funded by a license fee
• The Archers is aired on BBC Radio Four, the BBC's main spoken-word channel and the BBC has a public service remit (to educate, inform and entertain)
• Under the BBC's public service remit, The Archers was originally established to educate farmers. The show soon became a major source of entertainment for people from all walks of life, not just the rural community.
• What is required for producing a radio series like the Archers?

  Tight schedules and long-term planning
• How often does the production team meet to plan storylines?

  Biannually
• What is the purpose of the monthly script meetings?

  To produce a week's worth of scripts
• How many writers are involved in the monthly script meetings?

  Four writers
• How frequently does recording take place for the series?

  Every four weeks
• When do actors receive their scripts?

  A few days before recording
• How many days are actors employed for recording?

  Six days
• How many episodes do actors record during their employment period?

  24 episodes
• When are episodes broadcast after recording?

  3-6 weeks after recording
• Why are actors not held on retainers for the show?

  Due to recording schedules and other careers
• In what other fields do actors often have careers?

  Film, theatre, television, and other radio shows
• Radio broadcasting is regulated by Ofcom, who sets the standards for programmes and one of its duties is to examine specific complaints made by listeners about programmes broadcast on channels it has licensed
• Listeners can catch up from the omnibus on a Sunday, hear recent episodes repeated on BBC Radio Four Extra, download the podcast or listen 'on demand' through BBC iPlayer Radio
• Listeners can engage with The Archers page on BBC website and follow the show on social media
• The Archers is the most listened to BBC programme online. In today's society market share and brand identity are massively important and The Archer succeeds on both of these