Occupation

Media Programming Directors

Human Advantage 77%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.1 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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

Also Known As: Broadcast Content Manager, Broadcast Director, Broadcast Operations Director, Cable TV Program Director (Cable Television Program Director), Digital Media Director, Educational Programming Director, Media Coordinator, Media Director +17 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.
  2. Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
  3. Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
  4. Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
  5. Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
  6. Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
  7. Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
  8. Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
  9. Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
  10. Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
  11. 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.
  12. Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
  13. Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
  14. Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.
  15. Evaluate new and existing programming to assess suitability and the need for changes, using information such as audience surveys and feedback.
  16. Conduct interviews for broadcasts.
  17. Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues, such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
  18. Review information about programs and schedules to ensure accuracy and provide such information to local media outlets.
  19. Direct setup of remote facilities and install or cancel programs at remote stations.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Develop budgets for programming and broadcasting activities and monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within budgetary limits.
  2. Cue announcers, actors, performers, and guests.
  3. Act as a liaison between talent and directors, providing information that performers or guests need to prepare for appearances and communicating relevant information from guests, performers, or staff to directors.
  4. Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising activities.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
52%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
31%
Some College Courses
15%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
2%
Find Training Programs

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • 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
  • Microsoft Word

Software (25)

  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Applicant tracking software
  • Avid Technology iNEWS
  • Broadcast Electronics AudioVAULT FleX
  • Content management systems CMS
  • Email software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Music scheduling software
  • RCS GSelector
  • Scheduling databases
  • Twitter
  • Web browser software

Tools & Equipment (10)

  • Audio signal processors
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital audio recorders
  • Emergency alert system EAS equipment
  • Emergency communications scanners
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Sound mixing consoles
  • Tablet computers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Media Production & Broadcasting Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Data Entry Keyers 77% match
Zone 3
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 78% match
Zone 4
Media Programming Directors You are here

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