Radio producer
Radio producers are responsible for the audio content of broadcasts via radio, the internet and other mobile platforms. They are involved in the entire process, from generating ideas to managing the audience response after a programme. Producers manage and work with broadcasting assistants, presenters and DJs, engineers and IT staff. They may also be responsible for the business and commercial management of a programme.
Producers can work in the publicly funded, commercial or voluntary sectors of broadcasting. Wherever they work, they are part of a digital revolution which is having a profound impact on the way in which radio is produced and accessed.
Specific responsibilities vary from programme to programme and station to station, and producers may sometimes also take on the roles of presenters or reporters, but typical work activities include:
For more information about key responsibilities see Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries , which lists the national occupational standards for radio production.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, a degree in broadcast journalism or media studies may increase your chances. Around 70% of all radio workers have a degree or postgraduate qualification.
Postgraduate diplomas and Masters degrees in radio production are available. For a list of accredited courses check the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) .
Educational qualifications are not the only criteria for success - work experience and evidence of relevant skills for radio are valued much more highly. To be successful you will need to show that you have:
The most important quality is a passion for radio, so:
Get practical experience:
Look for help with basic skills: The Radio Academy offers master classes for people wanting to get into radio and produces a guide on Getting into Radio, which gives an insider's guide to working in the industry. Their website includes a digest of work placements in commercial radio.
The RadioCentre also offers advice on getting into radio and runs training courses.
Consider gaining some general journalistic experience by reporting for students newspapers or producing editorial content for local newspapers and their websites.
As technology becomes ever more accessible, applicants may also be expected to demonstrate their interest in radio via a portfolio of 'user-generated content' such as podcasts, blogs and on sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Be prepared for rejection and accept that there may be a short period where you 'graft and starve' while gaining experience. Get support with your career planning by talking to your university careers adviser or contacting an industry professional for advice via a network such as Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries . Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) has produced some guidelines about work experience within visual media, which may help you decide how much experience is needed and how much you should be expected to do for free.
Experience is essential for this role, but it is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
For employed staff, training is usually on the job, with individual training needs agreed at an annual appraisal. Freelance producers may get subsidised training from media organisations such as Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries . Many courses can be completed via online training. With the emergence of multi-skilling across the media, producers are increasingly involved in all aspects of radio, including presenting, editing and sound recording. Many producers learn these skills from experienced colleagues or by attending short in-house training courses.
BBC Academy offers a number of short courses for producers and would-be producers, including some free online courses open to anyone interested in production. For its staff, the BBC has a system of attachments through which individuals can gain experience in other jobs for up to six months. This is a common route for progression from broadcast assistant to producer.
It is important that producers keep up to date with technical and multimedia developments, especially following the expansion of digital radio. Skillset and the British Film Institute (BFI) produce the Media Courses and Multimedia Courses Directory , which provides information on relevant training courses and providers. Courses are available on a short or longer term basis and cover technical production and broadcasting skills.
Progression within this career is usually self-driven. Many producers work on a freelance basis and move from one employer to another. It is possible to gain freelance work on a long-term basis. As many vacancies are never advertised, making contacts within the industry is essential. Particularly at the start of your career, think of creative ways to make links with potential employers and to gain relevant experience.
Generally, career development is achieved by moving to a different programme or network. For example, a local radio producer with several years' experience may apply for a post on national radio. Career progression is gained through working for a more prestigious network, programme or presenter. As they gain more experience, producers also tend to focus on a specialist area of interest such as news, drama or documentaries.
Various professional bodies hold annual awards for the radio industry. Gaining an industry-recognised accolade will inevitably help to progress the career of a talented producer.
Some presenters, particularly if they are high profile, will choose their own production team to stay with them for the duration of the contract. On news and current affairs or magazine-type programmes, where there is likely to be a team of producers, progression may be to a role at senior producer level and then to programme editor. Some may progress from senior producer or editor to a managerial role, such as network controller.
Ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) is important in an industry such as radio, where technology is constantly changing, and in the media generally, where multi-skilling is more prevalent. Producers may take courses in voice training, website editing, news writing or media law, for example. Relevant professional bodies, such as the BBC (see BBC Academy ) and the RadioCentre , provide a range of development courses.
A small number of radio producers progress into teaching or lecturing in related subjects.
Typical employers include:
The BBC has a structure of local radio networks, as well as its main central network. Both the BBC and independent radio broadcast live, as well as producing pre-recorded programmes. BBC local radio is mainly talk-based, with around 80% of its air time dedicated to speech, while independent radio is usually more music-focused, using mainly pre-recorded music. As a result, the demand for producers in independent radio is low in comparison with BBC local and national radio.
Independent production companies tend to specialise in making pre-recorded programmes, which are sold on to the broadcasters. In commercial radio, only larger stations tend to have a production department.
The growth of digital radio has created new opportunities with the establishment of new stations. The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) provides a list of digital stations, news and links.
All BBC vacancies are advertised but not always externally. Vacancies for commercial radio are not always advertised and are often filled by people on voluntary or work experience placements. Approximately 40% of people working in radio got into their jobs through contacts or by becoming known at a particular station or show. To increase your chances of gaining work, break into the industry as soon as you can through a period of work placement and by making contacts.
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