• Radio and television announcers perform a variety of tasks on and off the air.
• They announce station program information, such as program schedules and station breaks for commercials, or public-service information, and they introduce and close programs.
• Announcers read prepared scripts or make ad-lib commentary on the air as they present news, sports, the weather, the time, and commercials. If a written script is required, they may do the research and writing.
• Announcers also interview guests and moderate panels or discussions.
• Some provide commentary for the audience during sporting events, at parades, and on other occasions.
• Announcers often are well known to radio and television audiences and may make promotional appearances and do remote broadcasts for their stations.
• Announcers at smaller stations may have more off-air duties as well. They may operate the control board, monitor the transmitter, sell commercial time to advertisers, keep a log of the station's daily programming, and produce advertisements and other recorded material.
• At many radio stations, announcers do much of the work previously performed by editors and broadcast technicians, such as operating the control board, which is used to broadcast programming, commercials, and public-service announcements according to the station's schedule.
• Public radio and television announcers also are involved in station fundraising efforts.
• Announcers frequently participate in community activities. Sports announcers, for example, may serve as masters of ceremony at sports club banquets or may greet customers at openings of sporting-goods stores.
• Radio announcers who broadcast music often are called disc jockeys (DJs).
• Some DJs specialize in one kind of music, announcing selections as they air them.
• Most DJs do not select much of the music they play (although they often did so in the past); instead, they follow schedules of commercials, talk, and music provided to them by management.
• While on the air, DJs comment on the music, weather, and traffic. They may take requests from listeners, interview guests, and manage listener contests.
• Many radio stations now require DJs to update their station Web site.
• Some DJs announce and play music at clubs, dances, restaurants, and weddings.
• They often have their own equipment with which to play the music.
• Many are self-employed and rent their services out on a job-by-job basis.
• Show hosts may specialize in a certain area of interest, such as politics, personal finance, sports, or health. They contribute to the preparation of the program's content, interview guests, and discuss issues with viewers, listeners, or the studio audience.
• Public-address system announcers provide information to the audience at sporting, performing arts, and other events.

• Improving technology continues to increase the productivity of announcers, reducing the time required to edit material or perform other off-air technical and production work.
• The ability of radio announcers to broadcast a program live and record a show for another time has eliminated most late-night shifts and allowed multiple stations to use material from the same announcer.
• Increasing consolidation among broadcasting companies also may contribute to the increased use of syndicated programming and programs originating outside a station's viewing or listening area.
• The growth of alternative media sources, such as satellite radio, may contribute to the expected decline.
• A possible positive area for radio announcers is hybrid digital (HD) radio, which broadcasters hope will increase in the coming years.
• HD radio offers more channels and could result in higher demand for on-air personalities.
• There will always be some demand for this occupation, because the public continues to desire local radio and television broadcasting and announcers play a necessary role in bringing it to them.
• Competition for jobs as announcers will be keen because the broadcasting field attracts many more jobseekers than there are jobs.
• Small radio stations are more inclined to hire beginners, but the pay is low.
• Applicants who have completed internships and those with related work experience usually receive preference for available positions.
• Jobseekers with good computer and technical skills also will have an advantage.
• Large stations will seek announcers who have proven that they can attract and retain a sizable audience, because competition for ratings is so intense in major metropolitan areas.
• Announcers who are knowledgeable about business, consumer, and health news also may have an advantage over others.
• Although subject-matter specialization is more common at large stations and the networks, many small stations also encourage it.
• There will be some opportunities for self-employed DJs who provide music at clubs and special events, but most of these jobs will be part time.

The success of announcers depends upon how well they communicate. Others who must be skilled at oral communication include Interpreters; News analysts, reporters, and correspondents; Public relations specialists.

Many announcers also must entertain their audience, so their work is similar to that of other entertainment-related occupations, such as Actors, producers, and directors; Musicians, singers, and related workers.

Some announcers write their own material, as do Authors and writers

Announcers perform a variety of duties, including some technical operations similar to those performed by Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators.

• BA in Communication, Broadcasting or Journalism