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Radio & TV Program Director

Occupation Information table
Overview: Program directors plan and schedule subject content to be broadcasted by a radio or TV station. They determine when and how commercials are to be inserted during the broadcast time. They also negotiate and administer advertising contracts with sponsors.
Duties: They plan the TV or radio program mission, goals and objectives. Decide upon program content and choose the announcers, guests, performers, etc. with proper qualifications to meet objectives.

They manage the creation of the program scripts and activities and schedule their duration. They determine what advertising messages to intersperse within the program context.

They manage the live broadcasts & give the performers and technicians cues to start and stop actions. They advise them when to make changes based on the quality of the materials being broadcasted.

They confer with sponsors and potential sponsors to determine their advertising needs, how to best fit their commercials into the program. They negotiate advertising contracts with sponsors.
Degree(s): A.S. Music 
A.A.S. Music Production 
A.S. Theatre: Concentrations in Acting or Technical Theatre 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 9% to 13% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $28,000 to $31,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's degree in radio and TV communications with courses in program directing and producing, communications media, advertising and fine arts is the appropriate training for this occupation. Applicants, during their college years, should acquire experience producing and directing college radio or TV station programs, college plays and work as an intern for a local radio or TV station.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Assigning duties to others, motivating them, and evaluating their performance.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Persuading and influencing others to change their attitudes, behavior, and/or opinions.
  • Being able to express creative ideas through the arts.
  • Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.