Media Programming Directors
Media programming directors direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in the preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Media programming directors manage program planning and distribution across all distribution platforms. They ensure that shows, programs, advertising, and digital content are appropriately scheduled and checked for quality and appropriateness.
Program directors in media determine optimal planning for programming and broadcast materials. They oversee the distribution of content for media houses or media distribution companies, creating program schedules, ensuring optimal viewership, and analysing indicators like focus-group feedback and metrics. They are responsible for scheduling event coverage, coordinating with other departments, working with directors and production staff, and assessing the length and content of broadcasts.
A bachelor's degree in film production, business, marketing, or sales is required for the media director job description. They are required to be skilled at organizing and coordinating multiple activities within the production process. They are expected to be experienced and have expertise in areas like editing, project planning, and marketing, to maximize the impact of their role.
Other required skills include project management, tactical and results-driven leadership, communication- both verbal and written, strong understanding of technical, legal and operational aspects of media planning, critical thinking and decision-making, team leadership and team worker, planning and organizational skills, and creativity.
A successful program director's job salary can range from six-seven figures. They ensure that an advertisement is conveyed to the intended audience using the best and most economical communication medium possible.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.A. Mass Communication
- MBA Marketing
- B.A. Journalism
Tasks
- 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.
- Develop budgets for programming and broadcasting activities and monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within budgetary limits.
- Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues, such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
Progression Routes
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