A radio announcer introduces guests, provides station information, moderates calls, and reports news and weather. The size of the station and number of staff influence their job, and they may also be required to read live commercials and research topics. Radio announcers often require formal broadcast training.
A radio announcer introduces guests, provides station information and public service announcements to listeners, moderates and broadcasts calls for radio programs, and generally provides breaking news. Most of this work follows the theme of the season. For example, if the station’s format focuses on music, it provides information about the featured songs and artists. Whether the radio station operates under a news or news-only format, the announcer typically reports news and weather and introduces the talk show hosts as they run during her shift.
In addition to the station’s program format, other factors that influence an announcer’s job include the size of the station and the number of technical and support staff on staff. In a medium to large sized station, the radio announcer can usually rely on a broadcast technician to operate the electronic equipment and an engineer to direct the announcer’s broadcast actions and play commercials, messages and pre-recorded music. On small stations, the radio announcer is often asked to do all these jobs himself.
Regardless of the station’s size or number of employees, a radio announcer is usually needed to read live commercials, introduce guests or music, as well as announce the station’s call letters and geographic coverage area. In smaller venues, she is often required to read the news, report the weather and announce traffic conditions. If no sportscasters are on the team, the team is expected to announce sports scores and report sports-related news.
It is often necessary for music and talk radio broadcasters to be knowledgeable about matters relating to their jobs and audiences. They often spend many hours off-air researching topics that they think their fans might find interesting or intriguing. A radio announcer’s success often depends on their ability to entertain a wide range of personalities.
A radio announcer is often a celebrity in the community where his broadcast is heard. This generally applies to advertisers who act as disc jockeys as well as those who work at radio stations. The former may have a reputation for keeping up fun banter with their guests and audience members, and the latter is often seen as a more serious radio personality. Both types of radio announcers are often called upon to host local charity events or make promotional appearances for companies that advertise on the radio station.
Radio broadcaster positions typically require formal broadcast training from a technical institute, college, or school specializing in broadcast journalism training. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, broadcasting or media relations. Radio advertising experience in high school or higher is desirable.
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