Broadcast announcers

			Check out another job
			Search a job category Architecture   - Building architects   - Landscape architects Art and design   - Artists   - Designers Computers   - Computer programmers   - Computer and information       systems managers   - Software engineers   - Support specialists and       system administrators   - Statisticians Educators   - Administrators and principals   - Counselors   - Post-secondary teachers   - Elementary, middle school       and high school teachers Engineers   - Engineers   - Aerospace   - Agriculture   - Biomedical   - Chemical   - Civil   - Electrical   - Environmental   - Industrial   - Mechanical   - Nuclear Entertainment and sports   - Actors, producers and directors   - Athletes, coaches and officials   - Dancers and choreographers   - Musicians Financial   - Accountants   - Economists   - Financial advisors   - Securities, commodities and       financial services sales agents Health care   - Chiropractors   - Dentists   - Dietitians   - Occupational therapists   - Optometrists   - Pharmacists   - Physical therapists   - Physicians and surgeons   - Psychologists   - Registered nurses   - Speech pathologists   - Veterinarians Legal   - Judges   - Lawyers Media and communications   - Advertising and public       relations managers   - Broadcast announcers   - News analysts, reporters       and commentators   - Photographers   - Public relations specialists   - TV, camera and film operators   - Writers and editors Office / elected officials   - Human resources, training and       labor relations managers   - Secretaries and       administrative assistants   - Top executives and       elected officials Sales   - Loan officers   - Purchasing managers   - Retail salespeople   - Real estate agents Scientists   - Biological   - Chemists   - Environmental Service   - Counselors   - Firefighters   - Police officers and detectives   - Social service workers Travel   - Flight attendants   - Pilots   - Travel agents

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 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 have more off-air duties. 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. Public radio and television announcers are involved with station fundraising efforts. Announcers frequently participate in community activities.

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. They 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.

Training and qualifications

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 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. In radio, newcomers usually start out taping interviews and operating equipment.

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.

Job outlook

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 in this relatively small field is expected to decline through 2010 due to the lack of growth of new radio and television stations. Changes in station ownership, format and ratings frequently cause periods of unemployment for many announcers.

Earnings

Announcers held about 71,000 jobs in 2000. Nearly all were staff announcers employed in radio and television broadcasting. Many announcing jobs are part time.

Salaries in broadcasting vary widely but in general 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 than in public broadcasting.

Median hourly earnings of announcers in 2000 were $9.52. Median hourly earnings of announcers in 2000 were $9.54 in the radio and television broadcasting industry.

Related links

For information on the broadcasting industry:

National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Adapted from the Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.