Only one in five solo voices on UK radio is female, so it's time to give women more opportunities to get on the air
In a landmark study, the first of its kind, the networking and development group Sound Women has found that only one in five solo voices on UK radio is female.
As a one in five myself, I can't say I'm surprised. I've worked in radio for more than 15 years, battling the widely held belief that people, especially women, don't like to hear women on the radio. As my good friend Emma Caldwell, a presenter on the Capital Network, was once told: "Who wants to hear a woman screeching on the radio while you're eating your breakfast?"
It's a big problem and one that needs addressing. Women's voices are massively under represented at peak listening times; solo women represent only 13% of total breakfast hours and just 12% of total drive-time hours.
It was with the steely determination of youth that I rallied against the pressure to be the breakfast show sidekick or the laughing woman in the background. I politely declined roles at much bigger stations than the one I eagerly accepted at £13,000 a year as host of my own drive-time show. I went on to host the same show at Horizon in Milton Keynes with a male sidekick who became my co-host and I loved every second of it. Two years later, I landed the dream job at 1 Golden Square, the station I'd always wanted to work for … I've now been here more than eight years.
I was inspired to fly solo by a brilliant presenter I had the pleasure of working with in the late 90s, Debbie Mac, who's gone on to host shows for Capital London, Galaxy and now Real Radio. Debbie staunchly believes the perceptions of women in radio are based on outdated research, commenting: "I've never seen evidence of audience figures dropping off when a woman hits the airwaves. Unfortunately, with less space for solo females per station, it leaves less opportunity for good talent to break through. Providing a presenter is easy on the ear, savvy and brand aware, it shouldn't matter what sex they are."
The founder of Sound Women, Maria Williams, says having more female voices on air is hugely important both to female radio audiences and to aspiring female presenters. In direct response to the Sound Women study, Absolute Radio are now holding demo days designed to inspire and foster creativity with particular emphasis on finding new female talent. We'll be advising how to make a great demo and hosting an open listening session for group feedback.
I'll be there and hope to inspire in the same way I was inspired. Starting out in radio isn't easy. There's the obligatory voluntary work, answering phones at 5am for close to a year for me … local radio roadshows are fun but I can't pretend I've not been slightly humiliated dressed as a "sexy santa". There's no pay, then low pay and the hours can be incredibly unsociable … so is it worth it? Absolutely. I love what I do. I'm passionate about the music I play; I love interacting with our listeners and interviewing some of the world's biggest bands and watching them in session. I look forward to finding new female talent who'll feel exactly the same way soon.
Sarah Champion presents Sunday Night Music Club On Absolute Radio every Sunday evening from 10pm. She is also a member of networking and development group Sound Women Reported by guardian.co.uk 5 days ago.
In a landmark study, the first of its kind, the networking and development group Sound Women has found that only one in five solo voices on UK radio is female.
As a one in five myself, I can't say I'm surprised. I've worked in radio for more than 15 years, battling the widely held belief that people, especially women, don't like to hear women on the radio. As my good friend Emma Caldwell, a presenter on the Capital Network, was once told: "Who wants to hear a woman screeching on the radio while you're eating your breakfast?"
It's a big problem and one that needs addressing. Women's voices are massively under represented at peak listening times; solo women represent only 13% of total breakfast hours and just 12% of total drive-time hours.
It was with the steely determination of youth that I rallied against the pressure to be the breakfast show sidekick or the laughing woman in the background. I politely declined roles at much bigger stations than the one I eagerly accepted at £13,000 a year as host of my own drive-time show. I went on to host the same show at Horizon in Milton Keynes with a male sidekick who became my co-host and I loved every second of it. Two years later, I landed the dream job at 1 Golden Square, the station I'd always wanted to work for … I've now been here more than eight years.
I was inspired to fly solo by a brilliant presenter I had the pleasure of working with in the late 90s, Debbie Mac, who's gone on to host shows for Capital London, Galaxy and now Real Radio. Debbie staunchly believes the perceptions of women in radio are based on outdated research, commenting: "I've never seen evidence of audience figures dropping off when a woman hits the airwaves. Unfortunately, with less space for solo females per station, it leaves less opportunity for good talent to break through. Providing a presenter is easy on the ear, savvy and brand aware, it shouldn't matter what sex they are."
The founder of Sound Women, Maria Williams, says having more female voices on air is hugely important both to female radio audiences and to aspiring female presenters. In direct response to the Sound Women study, Absolute Radio are now holding demo days designed to inspire and foster creativity with particular emphasis on finding new female talent. We'll be advising how to make a great demo and hosting an open listening session for group feedback.
I'll be there and hope to inspire in the same way I was inspired. Starting out in radio isn't easy. There's the obligatory voluntary work, answering phones at 5am for close to a year for me … local radio roadshows are fun but I can't pretend I've not been slightly humiliated dressed as a "sexy santa". There's no pay, then low pay and the hours can be incredibly unsociable … so is it worth it? Absolutely. I love what I do. I'm passionate about the music I play; I love interacting with our listeners and interviewing some of the world's biggest bands and watching them in session. I look forward to finding new female talent who'll feel exactly the same way soon.
Sarah Champion presents Sunday Night Music Club On Absolute Radio every Sunday evening from 10pm. She is also a member of networking and development group Sound Women Reported by guardian.co.uk 5 days ago.