A television announcer’s job is to give a television program a voice. They can often introduce a show, provide narration leading up to or returning from a commercial break, and provide a variety of other services for a program. The announcer could be a nondescript background player whose voice is never heard by home viewers and who only speaks to the in-studio audience. A television announcer, on the other hand, can be an integral part of a show, and the voice of a show can become as recognizable and prominent as the main stars themselves.
An announcer isn’t on every television show, but they’re frequently seen on game shows, talk shows, and news broadcasts. The announcer can be a visible character, such as a co-star or a “sidekick” to the main character, or an unseen presence who gives the show a voice but whose face is rarely or never seen on screen. Depending on the type of show on which he or she is working, a television announcer may have a variety of roles and responsibilities.
An announcer will frequently work to provide verbal introductions to a television broadcast for news programs. This can be done by the news anchor themselves, but it could also be done by someone else. This type of role can sometimes be filled by a celebrity with a distinct or notable voice, and it can help to differentiate a program from others of its kind. A television announcer may pre-record the messages heard by the audience on these types of shows, which can be done in a sound booth without the announcer ever being on set with the on-air talent.
Introductions and commercial breaks are frequently featured on game shows and daytime and late night talk shows, with the narration of a television announcer moving into and out of them. In these cases, the announcer is more likely to become a part of the program and appear on screen during the broadcast. The person providing the voice may be referred to by the host or hosts, and he or she may appear on a regular basis or adopt a fictional persona to go along with his or her voice. A television announcer may also serve as a co-host on a show, as seen on late-night talk shows with a band leader or co-host serving as the announcer.