Justin Watson
Radio Host/Board Operator
- San Diego CA
- 619 681 4320
- jaywatproduction@gmail.com
News Broadcast Video Reel - Radio Production Video Reel
ABSTRACT
As communication majors, our field relates to all the various ways we communicate in this world, so we embrace knowledge and all the teachings of past guru’s. The information we learn incorporates both verbal and nonverbal messages. As defined by the National Communication Association, The field of communication focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The field promotes the effective and ethical practice of human communication.) There are communication scholars and professionals that develop a keen sense of understanding of a defined field of study. A communication major can choose from various career paths. From Vice-president of Human Resources in business organizations to Creative Director in Advertising, our field is more than just Multimedia.
INTRODUCTION
Television and Radio Broadcast is a field of study I choose to dedicate my time. I’ve researched data from various accredited sources and put together this business report to summarize the job market in the area I’m seeking work. It will cover the different types of organizations that hire communications professionals, the various relevant departments and the required knowledge, experience, and skills it takes. This report will include job descriptions and salary levels of my field of choice. Radio and Television Broadcasting is one of Communications’ most coveted fields of choice for Communication Majors.
NATIONAL ESTIMATES
The Program Director manages and schedules station programming and oversees the station’s various departments and staff. Most Program Directors are referred to as the “PD” and the average annual earnings are about $43,000. General earnings range from $27,000 to $100,000 plus. According to the occupational employment statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, PD’s either produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. They’re also responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guest, set design, sound, special effects and choreography. Likewise, Program Directors in radio broadcast are in charge of the sound of the radio station. They manage the station’s programming and oversee the different departments and staff at the station to ensure that the station always sounds its best and suits the needs of its listeners. The national estimate for employed or actually working Program Directors are at about 97,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; those numbers are rising with each year. Industries with the highest employment and wages for PD’s are primarily the motion picture and video industries. According to the same labor statistics from 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor reported about 34,000 movie and video directors and about 25,000 radio and television directors. Movie and video directors still ranks as the top paid occupation for PD’s.
INDUSTRY PROFILE
Furthermore, among states the employ the most PD’s within the Radio and Television Broadcast industries, California tops the hiring list at about 24,000 with an annual mean wage of $126,000; followed by New York at $112,000, Florida at $75,000 and finally, Texas and Georgia at $61,000 to round out the top five states. Program Directors almost always have an educational background in Communications or Broadcasting (Radio or TV). This can be gained through a combination of work experience (such as getting involved at a campus radio station) and through academic training. To be successful, a Program Director must have “great communication skills. You have to know the music, know how to go find it, research and read Arbitron reports; a ratings system, which now falls under the umbrella of Nielsen.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, The National Association of Broadcasters is by far the biggest professional group for radio broadcast employees and many states have their own unions, groups, and associations that continue to improve the industry. Program Director is one of the highest ranking positions at a radio station, years of experience across departments is important. Although the position of Program Director is technically a 9-5 style job, most PDs find themselves working longer and harder due to the many different hats they wear and the responsibility they carry. Career advancement as a Program Director would either mean getting hired by a bigger, more prestigious station, earning a higher salary, or moving into a position as a Station Manager.