The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics used live 8K Virtual Reality (VR) for enhanced user experience and the feel of being present at the games. Broadcasters used 8K VR feeds to generate studio backgrounds. Continue Reading
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Explore Career The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics used live 8K Virtual Reality (VR) for enhanced user experience and the feel of being present at the games. Broadcasters used 8K VR feeds to generate studio backgrounds.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Sports Broadcaster?
A Sports Broadcaster would typically need to:
Where you work depends on your role, assignment and your employer. Sports Broadcasters could work in comfortable and well-equipped recording studios or be required to report or provide live commentary from indoor or outdoor courts and swimming pools, sports arenas and stadiums, gymnasiums, fields and pitches, press boxes and broadcasting booths at sporting venues, sidelines, touchlines, benches, and changing rooms.
If outdoors, you must deal with varying weather conditions. Indoor or outdoor venues may also be crowded and noisy. Gyms and indoor pools may be warm and humid. While reporting or commentating live, the atmosphere can be stressful and fast-paced, especially when the outcome is highly uncertain.
Recording and broadcast studios are controlled environments equipped with cameras and audio equipment. They provide professional settings to Sports Broadcasters to host pre-game, halftime and post-game shows, provide analytical insights into the game, and hold interviews with panels or individuals in collaboration with the production team. Designated sets, graphics, monitors and teleprompters are typically in place to support studio hosts.
When situated in broadcasting booths at sporting venues, Sporting Broadcasters have all they need to deliver real-time and accurate play-by-play commentary or analysis - clear views of the action, monitors, headsets and microphones.
Sideline reporters, placed in designated spots near the field or court and closest to where the action occurs, receive close-up experiences of the game. They can interview players or coaches, report on injuries, and update audiences. However, they must keep calm during stressful moments of fast-paced games and continue providing insightful information.
Depending on your role and assignment, you may work at your assigned station and report from your studio on sporting events. However, you may also need to commute to sporting event venues in your region or travel to other cities and countries to provide live coverage and analysis of matches, tournaments, league games, championships and even the Olympics.
While it can be strenuous, travelling with famous teams and athletes and being paid to watch and cover events from the sideline or from booths is also rewarding. If you work for several teams or organisations, your movement may be more frequent than if you work for one.
Sports Broadcasters may work in full-time or part-time roles. Television and radio networks typically employ several full-time sports commentators. While 40 hours is the standard workweek for those working in radio and television stations, work schedules are variable and depend on specific events and whether programs are live or pre-recorded broadcasts.
Long hours and working during early mornings, evenings and late nights and on weekends and holidays are typical for Sports Broadcasters providing live coverage of games being played at those times. You may also need to put in extra hours at peak times during sports seasons, such as when playoffs are held.
Work can extend before and after show timings as you must prepare for the show (which includes meeting the producer, researching, writing the script and rehearsing it) and also review it after the broadcast. If you work for specific sports and franchises, your schedule follows that of the teams.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands. The pandemic provided the impetus to technological innovations that allow Sports Broadcasters to experiment and use cloud-based production tools to create live broadcasts remotely.
Finding a new job might seem challenging especially since the field is highly competitive. Useful ways for Sports Broadcasters to boost their job search are to ask their network for referrals and information about vacancies in media companies or broadcasting networks and contact TV and radio networks or online media directly, particularly if they have the requisite skills and knowledge needed and a background in sport or journalism. You may also use job search platforms specialising in sports or jobs as part of teams, go to job fairs, leverage social media, and inquire at staffing agencies.
Depending on the platform and the specific context of a broadcast, freelance and contractual work are also possible.
Sports Broadcasters are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations are crucial for Sports Broadcasters to pursue professional development or connect with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Your regional union may be a World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) member.
Professional associations provide their members with various continuing education and networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
TV, radio and sports networks and teams hiring Sports Broadcasters value candidates with demonstrated practical skills and work experience in various aspects of sports, communication, broadcasting and other media-related work.
While in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work. Join some groups, try some hobbies or volunteer with an organisation of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career.
Any academic program that a potential Sports Broadcaster takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship, which you may find at a local TV or radio station. Some colleges run their TV and radio stations and may assist students in landing internships at local media outlets. Sports Broadcasters will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the career, give valuable insight into how media outlets and sports teams operate, help build useful contacts and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.
You may gain valuable experience, strengthen your writing, speaking and production skills and become confident in using sports terminology by participating in diverse on-campus media activities in high school or during your post-secondary studies. For instance, you may volunteer to report on your school, college or university sports activities for their newspaper. You may also serve as an anchor for student radio or TV and provide sports recaps or interview players and coaches.
Voluntary work for community, hospital or other local television and radio stations is another avenue to gain experience. Young adults may record or deliver commentary at amateur sporting events, such as those held at schools, colleges or among local teams, varsity games and charity runs. Helping organise high school and other non-professional games and volunteering to assist production teams behind the scenes will help you learn skills useful for sports broadcasting. You may also record commentary for internet radio or websites.
Even if you are not a star performer, joining an extracurricular sports activity, sports club or local league gives you firsthand knowledge of games and sports and their strategies and helps you network with professionals. You may also coach younger players and athletes.
Other options to acquire experience include volunteering as a student manager for any of your college or university sports teams, or you may find a work-study opportunity at your sports information office. If available in your region, joining a mentor-apprentice program that local radio or TV stations may run is helpful. Such a program provides hands-on learning experience under professional Sports Broadcasters and a pathway into the industry instead of a traditional classroom environment that also teaches the craft of sports broadcasting.
Some colleges or universities may provide a partial scholarship for players or athletes to allow them to pursue a program of their choice while continuing to train and represent their college or university in their sport of choice.
Make full use of any opportunity to acquire work experience and skills, keeping a positive attitude and open mind to sharpen your technique and foster new skills. Review recordings of your voluntary or internship work in front of a camera or behind a radio microphone for self-analysis of your body language, speech and content. Make improvements accordingly, considering the viewer's or listener’s perspective.
Obtain copies of the recordings of any voluntary or paid TV, radio or online broadcast assignments you complete and place your best work on a demo tape that demonstrates your experience and skills to prospective employers. However, before submission, have a professional Sports Broadcaster review the audio and video clips on the tape and use their feedback to make improvements.
By working in supporting roles, such as a broadcast assistant at local TV or radio stations, you can acquire work experience and work up the ladder to regional, national and international networks by demonstrating your sports knowledge, commentating skills and analytical abilities.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in sports broadcasting to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. Watch or listen to sports broadcasts, which include interviews, play-by-play commentary and analysis.
Although job requirements vary and some employers may give more weightage to skills and experience than academic qualifications, a bachelor’s degree in journalism, media studies, mass communications, film and related subjects can help you build the requisite skills and knowledge to work as a Sports Broadcaster. Most relevant programs teach you reporting skills, such as finding stories and sources, conducting interviews, constructing, writing and editing stories and other pieces for diverse media, and packaging them with suitable images and video clips. You also learn to use multimedia tools and techniques to record, edit and produce radio and television shows and generate online content.
Since many journalism programs typically integrate print and broadcast tracks, programs that allow you to specialise in broadcast journalism, sports communication, sports broadcasting or sports management may be limited. Therefore, opting for electives in these areas or related aspects, such as public speaking, sports history, media marketing, sports production and station operations, is helpful. If available, taking courses in ethics, journalism law, sports business, sports entertainment and the social role of athletics is also beneficial.
You may find some courses specifically assessed by the radio and television industry in your region and approved by professional bodies. Another option is to learn about the latest production technologies by joining broadcasting courses at technical colleges. Some associate degree or HND (higher national diploma) programs could also offer you courses to build your knowledge of radio and TV production. Alternatively, you could pursue drama and performing arts to learn skills transferable to sports broadcasting.
Aspiring Sports Broadcasters would do well to take high school courses in physical education to build knowledge and skills in diverse sports or start to build expertise in one. English, speech classes, theatre, communication, media studies, film studies or a foreign language will help you develop your research, writing and oral skills.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
While certification is not mandatory, it demonstrates a Sports Broadcaster’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Sports Broadcasters typically do not require a licence to work. However, they may need to undergo an employment background check including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Sports Broadcasters may begin their career working for amateur or professional teams or college teams and squads. You may work with your smaller local television or radio stations covering local sporting events and aim to announce for larger, well-known national networks. Your initial role may be that of a Co-Commentator. Other ways to enter the industry include starting as print journalists while keeping an eye on radio and TV job openings.
Once you acquire a relevant degree and experience in your local stations, you may consider signing an agent to help you find and secure roles at larger networks and training and professional development opportunities. Various options are available to Sports Broadcasters to progress in their career, especially if they hold a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Experienced and proactive agents typically help you analyse and identify your job preferences, submit your demo tape to prospective employers, and connect you with hiring managers.
You may opt to work for a particular team, travelling with them to sporting events and providing play-by-play coverage of the action for the team’s fans. Or you may prefer to cover general sports news and events and teams across multiple sports, as assigned by your network.
Performance, experience and the acquisition of professional qualifications can help you progress to the role of Lead Commentator. You may also become a Sports Analyst, providing specialist opinions, information and tactical insights into the game being played, the sport's history, current trends, and interesting and useful statistics about the sport, players and coaches.
With experience, you may progress to host a segment on local radio shows or evening sports news shows. Typically, Sports Broadcasters achieve career progression by moving from smaller to larger markets, more prestigious shows and programs, primetime slots and eventually to national or international radio or television.
You may also wish to change tracks or specialise in providing commentary and analysis on online streaming platforms.
If you freelance, you could switch to full-time work with local, regional, national or international broadcasters or vice versa. Becoming a Studio-Based Presenter or diversifying into production, management or sports journalism (print) are viable options. Sports journalists who work through written media, such as sports journals and magazines, social media and websites, also provide readers with commentary on and analysis of current and past events. Some Sports Broadcasters become Bloggers and Podcasters or create videos about the sport, matches, players and other related topics.
If your primary passion is to communicate with a live audience, you could expand your capabilities and work to include news broadcasting instead of staying only within the field of sports broadcasting. You would still carry out similar work but across diverse issues in addition to sports. eSports is also a growing avenue that you may wish to enter.
Given their familiarity with the industry, experience, knowledge and network, Sports Broadcasters may also diversify into sports marketing, events management or facilities management.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with a sports journalism or mass communications degree, completed internships, proof of commentating skills through on-air experience, and a robust network of industry contacts have the best job prospects. Multimedia and computer skills and the willingness to begin your career in non-broadcasting roles, such as production assistants, are highly useful. While not necessary, having played on a sports team and being open to new opportunities boosts your employability.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Sports Broadcaster build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job, or level of knowledge.
Although Sports Broadcasters are expected to bring in some technical knowledge since they produce their demo tapes, newly hired personnel typically receive on-the-job training to familiarise them with specialised recording equipment, microphones, and other technological gadgets and software.
You may earn higher educational qualifications to build deeper knowledge and skills in broadcasting and other areas. For example, you may pursue a master's degree program that blends sports broadcasting with business or specialise in sports management, leadership and administration.
It is critical to stay up-to-date with technological developments and industry trends to stay competitive and advance. Take courses to refresh your skills in broadcasting, studio operations, editing, news reporting, and radio, TV and web production.
Whichever avenue of broadcasting you work in, radio, TV or online, you must develop sales and promotion skills to market yourself to viewers and employers, building a robust and growing audience base and network. Networking with industry professionals helps you discover avenues of professional development, and you may find an experienced professional to mentor you through your career progression. Attend games, join networking events and take part in conferences, preferably those focused on broadcasting and sports journalism.
Become aware of internet best practices and learn to use web analytics and user data to optimise user experience for current audiences and reach new viewers.
Stay current with and take notes on the rules of the games you work with and study its nuances, the players for each season and their gameplay to be able to commentate on and review the game knowledgeably, accurately and promptly.
Given the increasing popularity of eSports, it is useful to build knowledge of the games and players so that they can deliver accurate commentary and analysis of the game and the strategies being used.
Although play-by-play commentary and analysis in sign language are yet to become commonplace, you may consider learning a sign language relevant to your audience to provide sign language interpretation of commentaries and analysis delivered in various languages.
Broadcast vs Print Journalism
The field of journalism comprises print and broadcast media, the latter including television, radio and the internet. Given that news anchors read stories aloud in broadcast journalism to mass audiences, unlike news stories in print which individuals read to themselves in their minds, print and broadcast journalists work differently, following different conventions suited to their media to research stories and gather and present information.
News writing in print journalism follows strict conventions. A news article typically begins with a “lede” (lead) or the opening sentence, which succinctly reveals the story’s focus and grabs the readers' attention. The article then moves onto the “nut grafe” (nut graph), similar to an academic paper’s thesis statement. The crucial information about the topic follows, and then some non-crucial details. Together, they lead to the conclusion summarising what happened in the article and looking ahead to potential outcomes.
Reporting and journalism that take place using electronic devices and disseminate news worldwide through broadcast media, including radio, television and the internet, equate to broadcast journalism. Its focus is on techniques such as visual storytelling and on-air delivery. Broadcast journalists aim to get interviews on tape in the voice of the newsmaker.
A simple and general opening sentence provides a cue to the story. Most sentences in a broadcast present a single idea and avoid multiple and internal clauses to keep it easy to read and understand. While news articles in print mention the source at the end of a sentence, broadcast stories begin the sentence with it. A conversational style is typical to broadcast journalism and aims to make stories impactful, vivid and appealing to listen to. News segments are usually short and use an audiovisual style, with images consistent with the story often embedded in it.
Types of Broadcast Journalism
Radio, television, and internet broadcast journalism are the three general categories of broadcast journalism in widespread use today.
Sports Journalism
Sports journalism includes reporting amateur and professional sporting news and events through diverse media, including print, television broadcasting and the internet. Sports journalists provide game statistics, interview players, athletes and coaches, and deliver commentary alongside sporting events.
Sports Broadcasters provide real-time reporting and commentary of sporting contests for television and radio broadcasts and the internet. They also interview participants and coaches and provide information and analyses of the sport, depending on their expertise and nature of work, to entertain and inform audiences. Directing, editing and producing the broadcasts is the work of production teams.
Some Skills Sports Broadcasters Need
Sports Broadcasters must have a strong command over the language of commentary to allow a fluid, clear, expressive and correct real-time description of the action while enthusing and engaging the audience. They must also have excellent control over voice and delivery, a distinct style, and comfort and confidence facing the camera and using microphones. Other essential skills include continuing the commentary even during inaction and conveying the facts and mood of a game without overwhelming the audience with too much of either.
A thorough grasp of the game's rules, tactics and historical context, awareness of current trends and events, and an eye for detail are critical to delivering an insightful, accurate and informative commentary. Sports Broadcasters also require interviewing skills to ask questions that draw out interesting and informative answers from interviewees. They must exercise effective teamwork and communication skills to deliver an impeccable broadcast. Familiarity with the multiple aspects of production, such as camera angles, replays and graphics, helps optimise the experience for viewers. Quick thinking is critical to tackling unexpected situations, such as players’ injuries or a game called off due to bad weather.
Multimedia and IT skills are essential for Sports Broadcasters to keep pace with and use the latest and rapidly evolving broadcasting, recording and production technologies and be able to update and maintain station websites and other platforms.
The Use of Teleprompters
Teleprompters are devices that provide cues to support broadcasters in delivering pre-scripted content. The screen on the devices displays scrolling text in front of the camera lens, which presenters may read while keeping up steady eye contact with the audience. These devices do not serve the purpose of reporting in-game action and providing analysis on the spot, both of which cannot be pre-scripted but must be spontaneous and ad-libbed, appropriate to the game as it unfolds. Live commentary and analysis require deep knowledge and excellent communication skills to ensure accurate and engaging descriptions and insights.
However, when not delivering a play-by-play commentary, Sports Broadcasters may use teleprompters for a smooth flow and professional and accurate delivery of specific details and pre-scripted segments of the broadcast, such as pre-game shows, introductions, players’ descriptions, statistics, sponsor mentions and post-game analysis. Sports Broadcasters must be skilled at seamlessly merging and delivering scripted and non-scripted content, adapting it to the dynamics of the sporting event and its live coverage.
Dress Code for Sports Broadcasters
While what you wear is not critical if you deliver radio broadcasts since commentators are not visible to listeners, you may still need to follow your employer’s dress code. On the other hand, television reporters dress according to the story they cover and to suit the weather, especially if the sports event is outdoors. Anchors wear business attire, but when reporting from the field, you may opt for anything from business to weather-appropriate attire or a local sports team’s jersey.
Types of Sports Broadcasters
Play-by-Play Announcers: They are primary speakers, which makes it critical for them to speak clearly and in a way that listeners understand them easily. They must develop the skills and knowledge to describe happenings in a fast-moving sport. Play-by-play announcers are often professional broadcast journalists and may also go by the names of lap-by-lap announcers for motorsports, ball-by-ball for cricket and blow-by-blow for combat sports.
Colour Commentators: Often former players or coaches, colour commentators use their knowledge and experience to provide informative and entertaining insights into the game to viewers and listeners. The play-by-play announcer typically asks them questions or gives them topics to comment on. Their title originates from the fact that they liven up the commentary with additional and interesting information about the game.
Sideline Reporters: Placed strategically at different spots around the sporting event venue, such as the dressing room area and team benches, sideline reporters provide colour commentators additional information to share with the audience. They may also interview players, athletes and coaches before, during and after the game, sometimes aiming to derive deeper details about events such as players’ injuries.
A Single Sport or Several
Colour commentators typically build their expertise and experience in a single sport. However, play-by-play announcers may be more versatile and capable of calling multiple sports, such as baseball, football, basketball, tennis and golf. Working in the booth as top announcers or for minor leagues and colleges, some Sports Broadcasters provide coverage for diverse sports contests, including the Olympics. It helps aspiring Sports Broadcasters know if they wish to offer exclusive commentaries for specific teams or sports-only TV channels that cover a single sport or keep their work flexible and varied by working for media that cover several sports.
Professional Wrestling
Sometimes, colour commentators in professional wrestling matches may be "heel sympathisers" (supporting the "bad guys") or babyface sympathisers (supporting the "good guys") in contrast to play-by-play announcers, who represent the voice of the fans. Although commentators must stay neutral, colour commentators, especially heel sympathisers, can make their support for one party evident. Injured wrestlers may serve as commentators to remain in the public eye as they recover.
The Most Popular Participation Sports Worldwide
The ten most popular participation sports worldwide are soccer/football, badminton, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, tennis, cricket, table tennis, baseball and golf.
Some Benefits of Remote Work
Among the benefits of encouraging off-site sports commentary, without the need to be present at a fixed venue where a sporting event is taking place, are reduced travel and transport costs for staff and equipment, lowering the carbon footprint of covering sports events live, greater flexibility for production teams and Sports Broadcasters, and the opportunity to use local talent to provide commentary in the local language with local nuances for a global feed or when redistributing a live broadcast to different parts of the world.
Broadcasting Rights and Contracts
Broadcasting rights and contracts are ways to limit and regulate who can show footage of a sports event. Broadcasting rights refer to the media rights to an intellectual property object that a broadcasting company buys. Broadcasting contracts or agreements are deals signed between broadcasting companies and sporting organisations, allowing broadcasters to transmit the feed worldwide in any language, live or recorded.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
While economic recessions do not typically influence the employment of Sports Broadcasters, the demand for these professionals is expected to decline over the next few years while the job market remains competitive. Other crises, such as the pandemic, may temporarily cause sports events to be cancelled or postponed in specific regions or worldwide. Some reasons include the merging of many television and radio stations, the development of satellite radio, the growing use of syndicated content, and the mushrooming of alternative media sources.
The dynamic nature of station ownership, show formats and ratings can lead to the layoffs of even the topmost Sports Broadcasters. Additionally, constantly evolving digital technology may reduce job opportunities by reducing the time and human input needed to produce and edit content. Furthermore, voice tracking or pre-recording segments creates the illusion that presenters are in the studio delivering a live show when they are not, and the segments may be used later on one or more stations.
A demand from audiences for localised programs may boost job opportunities with local and regional TV and radio stations, internet radio stations and online streaming platforms. Experienced sportscasters are likely to receive preference if they can prove their contribution to keeping ratings high. Versatility to substitute for other on-camera newscasting assignments or in the role of anchors will boost employability.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Sports Broadcasters have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Sports Broadcasters have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Call them communicators par excellence or highly informed sports enthusiasts who love to share their passion with others. Either way, Sports Broadcasters overcome tough competition to become renowned and reliable specialists in delivering live or recorded commentaries covering various sports. With their extensive knowledge gained through research, observation and experience, they also provide insightful analyses of the sports and the players and athletes, keeping audiences excited and engaged.
Be prepared to work hard and have plenty of fun. Accept opportunities that do not sound ideal and trust your talents to tackle them. Get to know the sport you are analysing or giving an action commentary on as your expertise will be evident in your broadcasts, whether live or recorded. The nuggets of information you sprinkle your broadcast with will help you connect with audiences and fans of the sport and earn their respect, admiration and gratitude.
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics used live 8K Virtual Reality (VR) for enhanced user experience and the feel of being present at the games. Broadcasters used 8K VR feeds to generate studio backgrounds.
What do Sports Broadcasters do?
A Sports Broadcaster would typically need to:
Accredited
