Interactive Marketing

The world of broadcasting may look glamorous, but behind that news anchor or radio disc jockey are many, many people that make what you see on the television or hear on the radio possible. So, what does the broadcasting industry consists of Radio and television stations and networks that create content or acquire the right to broadcast taped television and radio programs. Networks transmit their signals from broadcasting studios via satellite signals to local stations or cable distributors. Broadcast signals then travel over cable television lines, satellite distribution systems, or the airwaves from a station's transmission tower to the antennas of televisions and radios.

Radio and television stations and networks broadcast a variety of programs, such as national and local news, talk shows, music programs, movies, other entertainment, and advertisements. Stations produce some of these programs, most notably news programs, in their own studios.

This is a competitive industry, particularly in large metropolitan areas. How can you be successful in this field By having a college degree in broadcasting or a related field, and relevant experience, such as work at college radio and television stations or internships at professional stations. Many entry-level positions are at smaller broadcast stations so you must be willing to change employers, and sometimes relocate, in order to be successful.

You've determined that working in broadcasting is for you--but what broadcasting career interests you the most Although on-camera or on-air positions are the most familiar occupations in broadcasting, the majority of employment opportunities are behind the scenes. Working in broadcasting can be demanding and competitive, but most people who work in the radio and television industries find it immensely rewarding.
So what careers in radio and television broadcasting are available Here is a partial list

o Assistant producers provide support and background research; assist with the preparation of musical, written, and visual materials; and time productions.

o Video editors select and assemble pretaped video to create a finished program, applying sound and special effects as necessary.

o Producers plan and develop live or taped productions, determining how the show will look and sound. They select the script, talent, sets, props, lighting, and other production elements.

o Web site or Internet producers plan and develop Internet sites that provide news updates, program schedules, and information about popular shows.

o Television Announcers read news items and provide other information, such as program schedules and station breaks for commercials or public service information.

o Radio announcers are referred to as disc jockeys; they play recorded music on radio stations.

o Program directors are in charge of on-air programming in radio stations. Program directors decide what type of music will be played and supervise on-air personnel.

o Reporters gather information from various sources, analyze and prepare news stories, and present information on the air.

o News writers write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters.

o Broadcast news analysts, also known as news anchors, analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.

o Weathercasters report current and forecasted weather conditions. They gather information from national satellite weather services, wire services, and local and regional weather bureaus.

o Sportscasters, who are responsible for reporting sporting events, usually select, write, and deliver the sports news for each newscast.

o Assistant news directors supervise the newsroom

o Assignment editors assign stories to news teams.

o News directors have overall responsibility for the news team made up of reporters, writers, editors, and newscasters as well as studio and mobile unit production crews.

o Technicians operate and maintain the electronic equipment that records and transmits radio or television programs.

o Radio operators manage equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of broadcasts.

o Audio and video equipment technicians operate equipment to regulate the volume, sound quality, brightness, contrast, and visual quality of a broadcast.

o Broadcast technicians set up and maintain electronic broadcasting equipment.

o Television and video camera operators set up and operate cameras, both in the studio and on remote locations.

o Master control engineers ensure that all of the radio or television station's scheduled programs are smoothly transmitted.

o Technical directors direct the studio and control room technical staff during the production of a program.

o Network and computer systems administrators design, set up, and maintain systems of computer servers that store recorded programs, advertisements, and news clips.

o Assistant chief engineers oversee the day-to-day technical operations of the station.

o Directors of engineering are responsible for all of the station's technical facilities and services.