Radio Announcer Course

Lesson 1 • Signal Flow and Broadcast Technology

Explains how audio travels from microphone to listener. Gives announcers enough technical literacy to troubleshoot common on-air issues.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of Radio

Traces radio from early transmission experiments to digital streaming. Provides context for why modern announcing conventions exist.

Lesson 3 • How a Radio Station Operates

Maps the organisational structure of a typical station and each department's function. Anchors the announcer's role within the larger operation.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring and Self-Correction

Teaches announcers to use headphones and playback to evaluate their own delivery. Builds the self-awareness needed for continuous vocal improvement.

Lesson 2 • Microphone Types and Placement

Identifies dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics and their broadcast applications. Correct placement eliminates plosives, sibilance, and proximity distortion.

Lesson 3 • Anatomy of the Speaking Voice

Covers the respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory systems that produce sound. Understanding physiology enables deliberate vocal improvement.

Lesson 4 • Diction, Articulation, and Pronunciation

Targets consonant clarity, vowel consistency, and correct word stress. Ensures listeners understand every word without effort.

Lesson 1 • Studio Safety and Maintenance

Establishes cable management, equipment care, and emergency procedures. Protects both the announcer and station assets during every shift.

Lesson 2 • Digital Audio Workstations for Radio

Covers DAW navigation, track editing, and file export for broadcast use. Connects production skills to on-air playout systems.

Lesson 3 • The Broadcast Console

Introduces faders, channel routing, EQ, and monitor controls on a standard air board. Mastery here is prerequisite for all live studio work.

Lesson 4 • Telephone and Remote Audio Systems

Covers hybrid phone systems, codec connections, and remote broadcast setups. Prepares announcers for call-in shows and outside broadcasts.

Lesson 1 • Pacing, Timing, and Emphasis

Trains announcers to hit time targets while varying pace for listener engagement. Connects timing discipline to format clock requirements.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Broadcast Writing

Contrasts broadcast style with print writing, emphasising short sentences and active voice. Establishes the writing habits that make copy easy to read aloud.

Lesson 3 • Script Formats and Markup

Covers standard script layouts for news, commercials, and talk segments. Markup conventions let announcers sight-read unfamiliar copy accurately.

Lesson 4 • Writing and Voicing Commercials

Applies broadcast writing principles specifically to advertising copy. Students write, mark up, and voice a 30-second and 60-second spot.

Lesson 1 • Developing Your On-Air Persona

Guides students in crafting an authentic broadcast identity distinct from their everyday voice. A defined persona ensures consistent listener connection.

Lesson 2 • Live Ad-Lib and Improvisation

Builds confidence for unscripted moments including traffic, weather, and listener interaction. Ad-lib skill separates competent announcers from memorable ones.

Lesson 3 • Conversational Delivery Techniques

Replaces stiff, read-aloud delivery with natural, one-on-one conversational tone. Listeners respond more to announcers who sound like they are talking, not performing.

Lesson 4 • Formatting Breaks and Liners

Teaches the structure of music intros, back-sells, and station liners within a format clock. Proper break structure keeps the show tight and on-brand.

Lesson 1 • Interviewing Techniques for Radio

Trains students to conduct live and recorded interviews that yield usable audio. Good interviewing produces compelling content and strong sound bites.

Lesson 2 • Broadcast News Writing Fundamentals

Applies the inverted pyramid and broadcast sentence structure to news copy. Accurate, concise writing is the foundation of credible news delivery.

Lesson 3 • Sourcing and Verifying Information

Covers wire services, official sources, and verification protocols for breaking news. Accuracy protects both the listener and the station's credibility.

Lesson 4 • Building and Presenting a News Bulletin

Integrates writing, sourcing, and delivery into a complete timed news bulletin. Students produce a bulletin from scratch under deadline conditions.

Lesson 1 • The Music Clock and Program Log

Explains how music rotations, commercial breaks, and content elements fill a clock hour. Announcers must execute the log precisely to maintain format integrity.

Lesson 2 • Radio Formats and Target Audiences

Surveys major music formats and the demographic profiles they serve. Format awareness shapes every creative and delivery decision an announcer makes.

Lesson 3 • Executing a Full Music Show

Integrates all format skills into a simulated live music show from open to close. Students demonstrate clock adherence, persona consistency, and break quality.

Lesson 4 • Contests, Promotions, and Listener Engagement

Teaches how to execute on-air contests and promotions within regulatory guidelines. Engagement tactics build audience loyalty and drive ratings.

Lesson 1 • Navigating the Broadcast Job Market

Maps the typical career path from small-market entry to major-market positions. Understanding market tiers helps students set realistic and strategic goals.

Lesson 2 • Building a Long-Term Broadcasting Career

Addresses branding, networking, and skill reinvention across a multi-decade career. Longevity in broadcasting requires continuous adaptation to industry change.

Lesson 3 • Producing a Professional Demo Reel

Guides students through selecting, editing, and packaging their best aircheck material. A strong demo is the primary tool for securing broadcast employment.

Lesson 4 • CV and Cover Letter for Broadcasting

Adapts standard CV writing to the specific expectations of broadcast hiring managers. Targeted applications increase callback rates significantly.