A radio announcer introduces guests, provides listeners with station information and public service announcements, moderates and airs calls to radio shows, and frequently provides the most recent news headlines. The majority of this work adheres to the station’s theme. For instance, if the station’s format is music-oriented, she provides details on the songs and artists featured. The announcer normally reports on news and weather and introduces talk show hosts as they rotate throughout her shift if the radio station follows a news talk or news-only format.
Other factors that influence the announcer’s job include the size of the station and the number of technical and support personnel on staff, in addition to the program format. The radio announcer can usually rely on a broadcasting technician to operate the electronic equipment and an engineer to cue the announcer’s broadcast actions and play pre-recorded commercials, messages, and music at a medium to large size station. The radio announcer is frequently required to perform all of these tasks herself at small stations.
A radio announcer is often required to read live commercials, introduce guests or music selections, and announce the station’s call letters and geographic coverage area, regardless of the size or number of employees at the station. She is frequently called upon to read the news, report the weather forecast, and announce traffic conditions in smaller venues. She is expected to announce sports scores and report sports-related news if there is no sportscaster on staff.
Both music and talk radio announcers are expected to be well-versed in topics relevant to their jobs and audiences. They frequently devote a significant amount of time away from the airwaves to researching topics that they believe their viewers will find interesting or intriguing. The ability of a radio announcer to entertain a diverse range of personalities is crucial to her success.
A radio announcer is frequently regarded as a celebrity in the community where her program is broadcast. This generally applies to disc jockey announcers as well as those who work for talk radio stations. The former may have a reputation for engaging in lighthearted banter with her guests and listeners, while the latter is generally regarded as a more serious radio host. Radio announcers of both types are frequently called upon to host local charity events or make promotional appearances at businesses that advertise on the radio station.
Radio announcer jobs typically necessitate formal broadcasting training from a technical institute, college, or school that specializes in broadcast journalism education. A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, broadcasting, or media relations is preferred some employers. Experience as a radio announcer in high school or college is preferred.