Media Programming Directors
Are you someone who still loves sitting in front of the TV watching movies and fun entertainment shows, or are you one of the young people and teens who'd rather watch that kind of content on streaming platforms online? Sitting in front of the TV has a special charm to it - some people barely eat their meals anywhere else. People's tastes vary: some love watching entertainment shows, dramas, and soccer matches, while others prefer content like news broadcasts, political programs, or documentaries. Every TV channel offers a different mix of programs - political shows, sports, entertainment - and may also air dramas or movies, alongside a number of news bulletins and commercials broadcast throughout the day. That's why the organizations that own TV channels and radio stations hire specialists called "media programming directors," whose job is to manage the TV or radio station, organize its workflow, and decide on the programs and content the audience prefers.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- 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 and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
- Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
- Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
- Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
- Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
- Evaluate new and existing programming to assess suitability and the need for changes, using information such as audience surveys and feedback.
- Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues, such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
- Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.
- Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
- Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
- Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
- Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
- Review information about programs and schedules to ensure accuracy and provide such information to local media outlets.
- Read news, read or record public service and promotional announcements, or perform other on-air duties.
- Operate and maintain on-air and production audio equipment.
- Direct setup of remote facilities and install or cancel programs at remote stations.
- Conduct interviews for broadcasts.