Media Programming Directors

What the job really is

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-2012
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.
• Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
• Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
• Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
• Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
• Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
• Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
• Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
• Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
• Plan and schedule programming and event coverage, based on broadcast length, time availability, and other factors, such as community needs, ratings data, and viewer demographics.
• Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Photoshop, Facebook, Google Analytics, Hypertext markup language HTML, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Media Technical Directors/Managers
• Producers and Directors
• Information Technology Project Managers
• Public Relations Specialists
• Public Relations Managers
• Project Management Specialists
• Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
• Art Directors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Media Programming Directors — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.