Radio and Television Announcers and Newscasters Career Information
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Significant Points
· Competition for announcer jobs will continue to be keen.
· Jobs at small stations usually have low pay, but offer the best opportunities for beginners.
· Related work experience at a campus radio station or as an intern at a commercial station can be helpful in breaking into the occupation.
Nature of the Work
Announcers
in radio and television perform a variety of tasks on and off the air. They
announce station program information such as program schedules and station breaks
for commercials or public service information, and they introduce and close
programs. Announcers read prepared scripts or ad-lib commentary on the air when
presenting news, sports, weather, time, and commercials. If a written script
is required, they may do the research and writing. Announcers also interview
guests and moderate panels or discussions. Some provide commentary for the audience
during sporting events, parades, and other events. Announcers are often well-known
to radio and television audiences and may make promotional appearances and remote
broadcasts for their stations.
Radio announcers often are called disc jockeys. Some disc jockeys specialize in one kind of music. They announce music selections and may decide what music to play. While on the air, they comment on the music, weather, and traffic. They may take requests from listeners, interview guests, and manage listener contests.
Newscasters or anchors work at large stations and specialize in news, sports, or weather. Show hosts may specialize in a certain area of interest such as politics, personal finance, sports, or health. They contribute to the preparation of the program content; interview guests; and discuss issues with viewers, listeners, or an in-studio audience.
Announcers at smaller stations may cover all of these areas and tend to have more off-air duties as well. They may operate the control board, monitor the transmitter, sell commercial time to advertisers, keep a log of the station's daily programming, and do production work. Consolidation and automation make it possible for announcers to do some work previously performed by broadcast technicians. Announcers use the control board to broadcast programming, commercials, and public service announcements according to schedule. Public radio and television announcers are involved with station fundraising efforts.
Announcers frequently participate in community activities. Sports announcers, for example, may serve as masters of ceremonies at sports club banquets or may greet customers at openings of sporting goods stores.
Although most announcers are employed in radio and television broadcasting, some are employed in the cable television or motion picture production industries. Other announcers may use a public address system to provide information to the audience at sporting and other events. Some disc jockeys announce and play music at clubs, dances, restaurants, and weddings.
Working Conditions
Announcers usually work in well-lighted,
air-conditioned, soundproof studios. The broadcast day is long for radio and
TV stations-some are on the air 24 hours a day-so announcers can expect to work
unusual hours. Many present early morning shows, when most people
are getting ready for work or commuting, while others do late night programs.
Announcers often work within tight schedule constraints, which can be physically and mentally stressful. For many announcers, the intangible rewards-creative work, many personal contacts, and the satisfaction of becoming widely known-far outweigh the disadvantages of irregular and often unpredictable hours, work pressures, and disrupted personal lives.
Announcers held about 69,000 jobs in 2009. About 57 percent were employed in broadcasting. Another 27 percent were self-employed freelance announcers who sold their services for individual assignments to networks and stations, to advertising agencies and other independent producers, or to sponsors of local events. About 30 percent of all announcers worked part time.
Training, Qualifications, Adv.
Entry into this occupation is highly
competitive. Formal training in broadcasting from a college or technical school
(private broadcasting school) is valuable. Station officials pay particular
attention to taped auditions that show an applicant's delivery and-in television-appearance
and style on commercials, news, and interviews. Those hired by television stations
usually start out as production assistants, researchers, or reporters and are
given a chance to move into announcing if they show an aptitude for "on-air"
work. Newcomers to TV broadcasting also may begin as news camera operators.
A beginner's chance of landing an on-air job is remote, except possibly for
a small radio station. In radio, newcomers usually start out taping interviews
and operating equipment.
Announcers usually begin at a station in a small community and, if qualified, may move to a better paying job in a large city. They also may advance by hosting a regular program as a disc jockey, sportscaster, or other specialist. Competition is particularly intense for employment by networks, and employers look for college graduates with at least several years of successful announcing experience.
Announcers must have a pleasant and well-controlled voice, good timing, excellent pronunciation, and must know correct grammar usage. Television announcers need a neat, pleasing appearance as well. Knowledge of theater, sports, music, business, politics, and other subjects likely to be covered in broadcasts improves chances for success. Announcers also must be computer-literate because programming is created and edited by computer. In addition, they should be able to ad-lib all or part of a show and to work under tight deadlines. The most successful announcers attract a large audience by combining a pleasing personality and voice with an appealing style.
High school and college courses in English, public speaking, drama, foreign languages, and computer science are valuable, and hobbies such as sports and music are additional assets. Students may gain valuable experience at campus radio or TV facilities and at commercial stations while serving as interns. Paid or unpaid internships provide students with hands-on training and the chance to establish contacts in the industry. Unpaid interns often receive college credit and are allowed to observe and assist station employees. Although the Fair Labor Standards Act limits the work unpaid interns may perform in a station, unpaid internships are the rule; sometimes they lead to paid internships. Paid internships are valuable because interns do work ordinarily done by regular employees and may even go on the air.
Persons considering enrolling in a broadcasting school should contact personnel managers of radio and television stations as well as broadcasting trade organizations to determine the school's reputation for producing suitably trained candidates.
Job Outlook
Competition for jobs as announcers will be keen because the broadcasting field attracts many more job seekers than there are jobs. Small radio stations are more inclined to hire beginners, but the pay is low. Interns usually receive preference for available positions. Because competition for ratings is so intense in major metropolitan areas, large stations will continue to seek announcers who have proven that they can attract and retain a large audience.
Announcers who are knowledgeable in business, consumer, and health news may have an advantage over others. While specialization is more common at large stations and the networks, many small stations also encourage it.
Employment of announcers is expected to
Increasing consolidation of radio and television stations, new technology, and the growth of alternative media sources will contribute to the expected decline in employment of announcers. Consolidation in broadcasting may lead to increased use of syndicated programming and programs originating outside a station's viewing or listening area. Digital technology will increase the productivity of announcers, reducing the time spent on off-air technical and production work. In addition, all traditional media, including radio and television, may suffer losses in audience as the American public increases its use of personal computers.
Salaries in broadcasting vary widely, but generally are relatively low, except for announcers who work for large stations in major markets or for networks. Earnings are higher in television than in radio and higher in commercial broadcasting than in public broadcasting.
Median hourly earnings of wage and salary radio and television announcers in May 2009 were $10.64. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.43 and $16.81. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.16, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $27.61. Median hourly earnings of radio and television announcers were $10.49 in the radio and television broadcasting industry.
Median hourly earnings of wage and salary public address and other system announcers in May 2009 were $10.56. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.72 and $16.24. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $6.33 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.90.
Related Occupations
The success of announcers depends upon how well they communicate. Others who must be skilled at oral communication
General information on the broadcasting industry, in which many announcers are employed, is available from:Sources of Additional Information