Radio station program director

Jae Nash Joins Got News? Let us know at News RadioInsight. Login Membership Account. July 26, View this post on Instagram. Please login to join discussion. One of the most advanced positions at any radio station, working as a program director usually requires a minimum of 10 years of prior experience in radio. During those years, program directors—also called PDs—may work as hosts , reporters, broadcast engineers , field recordists , or music directors.

They also become comfortable with a wide range of radio formats including music, news, weather, sports, and other varieties of talk radio. As for many top-level positions, advancing in this role typically means finding a larger station to helm.

Program directors might also make the leap to internet radio or music streaming. Today, popular streaming services are scrambling to recruit former program and music directors to unify and guide their playlists and offerings.

Significant experience working in broadcasting is essential. To get started, one should look for internships at a local station or contribute to a college station.

Whether it's working in front of the mic as a DJ or radio host or behind the scenes as a broadcast engineer or other audio tech, what's important is understanding the breadth of the station's day-to-day operations and developing versatility as an employee. Program directors—who are usually active and lifelong consumers of radio, music, pop culture, and news— are versatile workers, combining top-notch managerial skills with creative vision and practical business sense.

A program director must be aware of the public's interest to create programming that captures --and keeps -- the audience. Each community has its own tastes in what they want to listen to. I general the larger your listening audience, the higher the ratings you receive; with high ratings, you can negotiate higher advertising rates, which boost the station's revenue. As a program director you should be prepared to work long hours under pressure. Strong management skills and the ability to make decisions are skills you must employ to meet deadlines and try to achieve targeted ratings and revenue goals.

This is not an entry-level position -- most stations prefer to hire a radio program director with a college degree in communications or broadcasting. In addition to your education, you need experience to get the job. Sirius Acquires Cloud Cover Media. Doug Hamand Stays With Cumulus. Blogs News Headlines. Three Ways to Be a Better Leader in Please enter your comment! Please enter your name here. You have entered an incorrect email address! Free Daily Radio News.

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