Sports Broadcasting Jobs
- Segment Producer
- On-Air Reporter
- Content Editor
- Television Director
- Broadcast Writer
Sports broadcasting is a popular major on some college campuses. If you enjoy learning more about sports and following local as well as national teams, some of the jobs in this industry might be right for you. Though many think of broadcasting in terms of the on-air reporters working for stations, this industry includes other types of jobs too.
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Segment Producer
One of the sports broadcasting jobs that you might consider is that of a segment producer. This job is good for those who prefer working behind the scenes and those who do not want to go on the air. As a producer, you’re responsible for every little detail that goes into that broadcast. You need to ensure that the reporters are ready, that they have the right information available and that the equipment works. Producers need to work within the budget given by the station or network too.
On-Air Reporter
On-air reporters are the ones who actually give viewers the news and information that they need. With a degree in broadcast journalism, you may gain some experience working for the college station where you went to school. That degree can also help you find an internship for a station and gain more experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for reporters is close to $40,000 a year. The BLS also found that the need for reporters will drop in the coming years, which is why you may want to look at other positions within this field.
Content Editor
Working as a content editor also lets you work behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera. Editors work for radio and television stations as well as for websites. They are the ones who edit work before it reaches a reporter. Most shows and stations have a team of writers who create the content. Editors go over that work to ensure that it sounds right and that it contains factual information. They may do the fact checking on their own or work with a team of checkers. Some editors may assist with editing of the wort filmed too.
Television Director
Very few shows happen live, but even those that do still use directors. When filming something like a NASCAR race or a basketball game, the director decides which cameras to show on the air and when to send cameras and reporters closer to the action. With shows that networks record in advance, directors are the ones who determine what content to film. They may work with other camera operators and a variety of equipment to ensure that they film all the content necessary for the broadcast.
Broadcast Writer
While enrolled in a broadcast program, you may find that you prefer writing to reporting. Broadcast writers working in the sports industry are those who create the content that reporters use when sitting in front of the camera. They come up with questions to ask in interviews with professional athletes, but they also create the shorter reports given on local news stations. You might find a job working for a major network like ESPN too and helping write content used in a documentary or special show.
Broadcast journalism changed quite a bit due to the popularity of the internet, and it’s likely that this field will continue changing in the future. While the need for on-air reporters will drop over the coming years, the need for those capable of working online and in other fields will rise. Sports broadcasting jobs include positions in writing and editing.
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