Radio Patrol

Got the gift of imagination? Think you can operate on the maxim that there is no visual element, you have to function only with audio? You could think of a career in radio broadcasting, finds Reena Jhaveri.

Sector overview

With 245 private FM stations operating in 86 cities, the Indian radio sector has been growing at a robust rate of 14% annually. The revenue of the sector was an expected `13 billion in 2012–13, according to an Ernst and Young industry report which reflects the “views and opinions of 23 survey respondents including Indian radio companies, advertisers, media agencies and other industry stakeholders.”

Entertainment Network (India), or ENIL, India’s leading Private FM Radio operator popularly known as Radio Mirchi, reported a net profit growth of 53.6%. According to newspaper reports, its profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 was at `19.9 crore. ENIL ED & CEO Prashant Panday opined at that time that the quarter was strong for media, especially radio broadcasters.

Many find the word ‘radio’ synonymous to FM, but the AM and satellite radio also have a huge impact on the industry in India. With such figures, the stage is set for major growth among the various radio channels. Needless to say, growth will bring more opportunities for those looking to be employed in this sector.

Radio is not new to India or the world, it is one of the foremost mediums of mass communication, especially digital mass communication. Even within the limitations of the government regulations, the country has witnessed a major change with this medium. A majority of the country’s population relies on this medium for entertainment. In fact, the radio can easily be termed as ‘the poor man’s five-CD changer’.

It is the age of information, communication and entertainment. Media has an instrumental and developmental role to play in any country, and in ours, it is playing its part really well.

To get there

Yes, you need to be educated, at the least be a graduate to work in essential positions in radio stations. A specialised course in radio production, broadcast media or script writing can be helpful to those who want to enter this field. There is no one special degree that is needed or absolutely essential, like say for instance to become a medical doctor, one needs to pursue an MBBS. Radio broadcasting is not such.

Institutes that offer various courses in radio production and broadcasting in Mumbai include:

• Radio City School of Broadcasting offers a Certificate Course in Radio Jockey and Radio Production
• The Mumbai Centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Radio Programme Production (PGDRPP)
• Livewires Institute offers courses in Radio Jockeying and Script Writing
• Xavier’s Institute of Communication offers a Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying
• School of Broadcasting & Communication offers a Certificate in Professional Voicing & Radio Jockey
• Mumbai Film Academy offers courses in Voicing and Anchoring

For each of these courses, the eligibility requirements are different. The academic eligibility ranges from passing class 12 to graduation. To find out the eligibility requirements candidates will have to log on to the respective websites.

For each of these courses, the eligibility requirements are different. The academic eligibility ranges from passing class 12 to graduation. To find out the eligibility requirements candidates will have to log on to the respective websites.

Apart from these courses, students who have pursued digital journalism or broadcast media courses at the undergraduate level may also be suitable to work in the industry since they have some formal education and training in radio production. In Mumbai, students of the Bachelor’s in Mass Media (BMM) degree fall under this structure.

The market

D Despite the fact that every industry needs marketing and sales personnel, in this particular segment, we will be looking at the job profiles related directly to broadcasting.

The broadcast assistant offers practical support to the production staff, and is responsible for many tasks in the daily muster. A radio station may have more than one broadcast assistant. They have to ensure the smooth running of programmes.

The radio jockeys, or the radio presenters are the popular stars of radio. They actually are the face of programming, even though their faces are not visible to the audiences! Each one creates a unique style and establishes a relationship with the audience.

Producers play a key role in defining the programming, scripting and the content, and from the backbone of a radio station. It is ironic, yet true that even though the producers play a major part in deciding content, they are hardly heard on air.

Station directors or station managers in a commercial radio have a multi-focus role to play. They are in charge of the particular station and responsible for the smooth functioning. They overlook the work of all the personnel at the station, and need to work towards attaining the objectives of the station.

Remuneration

Digital media is here to stay. In fact, many radio channels already have established websites, and many are in the process of establishing smart phone apps.

A fresh person in the radio industry can start anywhere between `20,000 to `30,000 per month, depending on the work profile, talent, expertise and knowledge. Like most other organisations, the new hires may have to learn the characteristics of the organisation on the job, but that does not form too much of a problem.

With more experience, a candidate can command a higher position as well as a higher salary and work towards a better job profile. Working your way up the ladder may not be very difficult for you if you are creative and learn the ropes well.

After a few years in the industry or even a related industry in a similar position, workers in the radio industry may earn in the range of Rs. 50,000 per month to Rs.70,000 per month. Here we are talking of those related in jobs directly at radio stations. Many jobs also exist in companies which provide content to radio stations on a contractual or free lance basis.

A student says

Manan Shroff, Pursuing his course

I would like aspirants to know a little bit about the training that we undergo in a professional radio production course. Most education programmes are aimed at developing and then honing the skills of the participant for becoming a skilled professional in the radio medium.

We learn subjects that are directed towards making us aware of the processes and attributes required to conceive, plan, and manage audio programme production. I think that during the programme, aspirants build the skills to plan audio programmes. They also can understand the working of the various radio formats, and writing scripts for all such formats.

More importantly, these amateurs will understand that radio programmes are not just made by the jockeys, but it takes a number of people to produce and present a particular programme. In addition, students are also taken through the process of managing a radio station.

In a good professional course, students begin with an introduction to broadcasting and programming and move towards recording, mixing and editing. No study programme can be complete without the practical element where the aspirants get to learn in a real time environment, either in the form of an internship or a weeklong training. This exposure bridges the gap between working in college and working in a real studio.

In the field

Sujata Menon, Production executive

I cannot emphasise enough the kinds of skills that radio producers and broadcasters need to possess to do well in the industry. It is a given that they need exceptional presentation, communication and performance skills (though these are largely related to verbal skills). It is imperative that radio personnel understand how to use the voice effectively for radio.

The mainstay of this profession is the ability to generate new and fresh ideas, especially original ones. The factor that stands out from other stations or channels will be the creativity with which you can present the ideas to the listeners.

Like any other job, you need determination and tenacity and interpersonal skills with the ability to draw information from people. In addition, you need to understand the market and work on the latest information and analysis.

It is necessary to have the ability to work independently when the need arises, but also be able to be a part of a team. Deadlines form important guiding factors in every media field, and you need to know how to respect them and stick to them. You should have the grace and efficiency to operate studio control coordinate to work upon a rage of simultaneous technical activities.

An aspirant asks

Neeti Parekh, BMM student

I am interested in working in the medium of radio, since I already have some exposure to digital media. I have learnt about programming and I want to try and shape my career in that direction. I am open to becoming an RJ, since I talk well. My only problem is that my writing skills are not up to the mark. Will this be a problem?

Professional Sujata Menon answers: You need to understand that the absence of a visual element in this medium needs to be made up with other elements, and one of them is writing. A good script is the heart of radio programming and broadcast. Many have made great careers in this field with their ability to write well.

Contrary to what everyone may think, many radio shows are scripted, even the interactive ones. And in such times, it is not only the ability of the radio jockey to talk and hold the audience, but also the charm of the written word that attracts the audience.

The ability to write crisp and timely content is complemented by the ability to keep up with current affairs, ranging from politics to the rising cost of vegetables! A person who is curious about the world around him is able to weave in titbits about everyday living which might interest the listener.