Radio Producers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts faster than average employment growth for all producers (radio and television) through 2033. However, job growth in the radio industry, specifically, has been curtailed by several factors in recent years. In the past, radio station ownership was highly regulated by the government, limiting the number of stations a person or company could own. Recent deregulation has made multiple-station ownership and consolidation of offices possible. Radio stations now are bought and sold at a more rapid pace. The DOL predicts continual consolidation of radio stations will reduce job growth for producers. Though some radio producers are able to stay at a station over a period of several years, people going into radio should be prepared to change employers at some point in their careers.

Another trend that is affecting jobs in radio producing is the increasing use of programming created by services outside the broadcasting industry. Satellite radio, in which subscribers pay a monthly fee for access to radio stations, has become a threat to smaller, more marginal stations. Also, increased use of mobile devices such as smartphones has negatively affected the industry. One bright spot, however, is that there may be an increase in technical and production jobs due to the growth of HD (digital broadcast) radio stations.

Competition is usually keen for all radio jobs. Graduates of college broadcasting programs are finding a scarcity of work in media. Paid internships will also be difficult to find—many students of radio will have to work for free for a while to gain experience. Radio producers may find more opportunities as freelancers, developing their own programs independently and selling them to stations.