Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Female Pioneers | 20131028 | Jane Garvey investigates the stories behind five landmark moments in the history of the female voice on radio and television. How far have women really come since the early days of the wireless? To what extent are female voices now accepted as carrying the same level of authority and expertise as their male counterparts?
In the first programme, we're back to 1929 and the BBC's launch of 'The Week in Parliament', which went on to become 'The Week in Westminster'. This groundbreaking programme was not only presented by the first woman elected to the House of Commons, Lady Nancy Astor, and aimed at newly enfranchised women, but also produced by women. We hear extracts from an early edition of the programme, dug out of the BBC archive, and Jane talks to BBC historian Professor Jean Seaton and broadcast historian Professor Suzanne Franks about the issues female broadcasters faced in the early days of radio. We also hear from 96 year old writer Diana Athill with her memories of working at the BBC during the Second World War.
Other programmes in the series include: Voice of Authority, which marks the appointment of the first female newsreader in 1955; Upping The Tempo, in which Jane meets Annie Nightingale, the first female DJ on Radio 1 and respected as an expert voice in music journalism; Prime Time Woman, which notes the role played by Esther Rantzen as a campaigning and consumer journalist on TV; and A Level Playing Field, with Jacqui Oatley discussing her debut as the first female footballer commentator on 'Match of the Day'.
Jane Garvey examines the impact of the first ever political radio programme for women. Jane Garvey investigates the history of the female voice in broadcasting | |
| 02 | The Voice of Authority | 20131029 | Jane Garvey investigates the stories behind five landmark moments in the history of the female voice on radio and television. How far have women really come since the early days of the wireless? To what extent are female voices now accepted as carrying the same level of authority and expertise as their male counterparts?
In this second programme, Jane Garvey reflects on a forgotten piece of broadcasting history. In 1955 Barbara Mandell became the first woman to read the news on TV.
It was 20 years before Angela Rippon. So, why did it take so long for another woman to assert a voice of authority in the news arena? Jane Garvey talks to Angela Rippon about the reaction she received at the time and whether the position of women in broadcasting has changed over the years. Jean Seaton and Suzanne Franks place the development of female broadcasting in a historical and social context and we hear the voice of Barbara Mandell herself.
Other programmes in the series include: Upping The Tempo, in which Jane meets Annie Nightingale, the first female DJ on Radio 1 and respected as an expert voice in music journalism; Prime Time Woman, which notes the role played by Esther Rantzen as a campaigning and consumer journalist on TV; and A Level Playing Field, with Jacqui Oatley discussing her debut as the first female footballer commentator on 'Match of the Day'.
Producer: Jane Reck
Jane Garvey assesses the impact of Barbara Mandell, Britain's first female TV newsreader. Jane Garvey investigates the history of the female voice in broadcasting | |
| 03 | Upping the Tempo | 20131028 | 20131030 (R4) | Jane Garvey investigates the stories behind five landmark moments in the history of the female voice on radio and television. How far have women really come since the early days of the wireless? To what extent are female voices now accepted as carrying the same level of authority and expertise as their male counterparts?
In the third programme, it's 1970 and Annie Nightingale becomes the first female DJ on Radio 1 and then one of the presenters of The Old Grey Whistle Test. The longest serving DJ on Radio 1, Annie's has been a stellar career, but what is her legacy? Jane Garvey explores whether Annie's success has made it easier for women to be recognised as a voice of expertise in music broadcasting.
We hear from Annie herself, former Radio 1 Controller Johnny Beerling and historian Professor Jean Seaton.
Other programmes still to come in the series include: Prime Time Woman, which notes the role played by Esther Rantzen as a campaigning and consumer journalist on TV; and A Level Playing Field, with Jacqui Oatley discussing her debut as the first female footballer commentator on 'Match of the Day'.
Producer: Jane Reck
Jane Garvey asks if Annie Nightingale has paved the way for other women DJs. Jane Garvey investigates the history of the female voice in broadcasting |
| 04 | Prime Time Women | 20131031 | Jane Garvey investigates the stories behind five landmark moments in the history of the female voice on radio and television. How far have women really come since the early days of the wireless? To what extent are female voices now accepted as carrying the same level of authority and expertise as their male counterparts? In the fourth programme, Prime Time Woman, Jane Garvey looks at the pioneering role played by Esther Rantzen and the campaigning programme 'That's Life' in the 1970s and 80s. She paved the way for a new style of campaigning journalism, bringing a female voice of authority to our living rooms. We also hear from John Birt, who made the inspired choice of Cilla Black as presenter of 'Blind Date', and broadcast historians Jean Seaton and Suzanne Franks. Producer: Jane Reck An Alfi Media Ltd production for BBC Radio 4. Jane Garvey examines the role of women in television broadcasting in the 70s and 80s. Jane Garvey investigates the history of the female voice in broadcasting | |
| 05 | A Level Playing Field | 20131101 | Jane Garvey investigates the stories behind five landmark moments in the history of the female voice on radio and television.
Jacqui Oatley was the first woman to commentate on a football match on 'Match of the Day' in 2007, but became a focus of media and social networking attention in the process. How easy is it for women with expert knowledge about a subject to get their voices heard on radio and TV and how close are they to achieving a level playing field? And what is currently happening to improve the gender balance of expert voices?
In this final programme in the series, Jane Garvey talks to Jacqui Oatley, TV historian Bettany Hughes and award-winning journalist Lis Howell.
Producer: Jane Reck
Jane Garvey considers if there is a level playing field for the female broadcast expert. Jane Garvey investigates the history of the female voice in broadcasting |