Radio jockey

A Radio Jockey (or RJ) is a person who hosts a radio talk show where the RJ selects the music to be played, or topic of discussion, by interacting with the audience; the interaction is often via telephone, but may also be online, or via email. This term is primarily used by Indians who coined it from the Western Disc Jockey. The term derives from disc jockey, denoting a person who plays music in discotheques and Westernized radio stations.

Increasingly, radio jockeys are expected to supplement their on-air personality by posting information online, such as on a blog. This may be either to generate additional revenue, or to connect with listeners.^[1]

History

The radio jockey dates back to 1909 when Ray Newby of California made his debut for Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless.^[2] The debut would be a significant moment in media because by 1910 there would be radio jockey's across the United States.^[3]

Types of radio jockeys

Radio jockeys may start working for fixed salaries, but their pay increases in proportion to their experience. Many go on to become voice-over artists, speaking in commercials or animated shows.

FM/AM radio jockeys

FM/AM radio jockeys are public radio station jockey's whose job is to play music, talk, or both. These jockeys will play music that is labeled as their stations genre of music or talk a certain subject they are labeled to discuss. While on the air the jockey will either play the popular current music, discuss the latest news involving their music or talking subject and interview the popular acts in their industry.^[4]

Examples

• Kidd Kraddick
• Big Boy (radio host)
• John Boy and Billy
• Elvis Duran
• Rickey Smiley

Talk radio jockeys

Talk radio jockeys are jockeys that will only talk for their entire time on the air. Each jockey will always discuss a different social and political issues but from a different point of view. Depending on the station, the jockey will either be a conservative or liberal host with the intention of reaching an audience that shares the same views.^[4]

Examples

• Rush Limbaugh
• Brian Kilmeade
• Brian Lehrer
• John Gibson

Sports talk radio jockeys

"Sports talk" radio jockeys discuss sports news, the jockey is either a former athlete, sports writer, or t.v. anchor. The jockey has the responsibility of discussing the latest sports news and interacting with their listeners by phone, email, or social media in order to keep the show entertaining. also it has to given the suggestions regarding the weekness.^[4]

Examples

• Dan Patrick
• Tony Kornheiser

Satellite radio jockeys

Satellite radio jockeys have the same responsibilities as a jockey that works for public radio. The only difference is these jockey's are not regulated by the FCC and are allowed to play explicit music and talk about any subject regardless of the sensitivity of the issue.^[4]

Examples

• Howard Stern

Salary

Salaries vary for radio jockeys; years of experience and education are the main influences on salaries. The median salary of a radio jockey is $28,400; depending on the number of years of service, the pay will increase.

• 1-4 years is $15,200-39,400,
• 5-9 is $20,600-41,700,
• 10-19 is $23,200-51,200,
• 20 or more years is $26,300-73,000.

If the radio jockey has a Bachelor's Degree, they will make between $19,600-60,400.^[5]

The salary of a local radio jockey will differ from a national radio jockey. National jockey pay will be in the millions because of the size of audience and corporate sponsorship. For example, Rush Limbaugh makes $40 million annually as part of his 8-year $400 million contract he signed with Clear Channel Communications.^[6]

Career opportunities

Due to a jockey's vocal training, there is often opportunity for a jockey to expand their career. Over time a jockey could be paid to do voice overs for commercials, television shows, and movies.^[7]

List of notable radio jockeys

• Rush Limbaugh
• Dan Patrick
• Tony Kornheiser
• Brian Kilmeade
• Brian Lehrer
• John Gibson

Training

To become a radio jockey a person must got through the proper training. This can be done by attending a University that offers classes in *radio broadcasting. For example if the university has a radio station, a student can work for the station to get training as well as course credit.^[8]

Education Requirements

Anyone wanting to become a radio jockey does not have to have any formal education but a degree in audio engineering could be a plus.^[9] Other common degrees radio jockeys have are: Radio-Television-Film, Mass Communications, Journalism, and English.^[9]

Job Requirements

In order to become a radio jockey there are perquisites that a person must have before applying for an open position.

• Good voice with excellent tone and modulation
• Great communication skills and creativity when it comes to interacting with listeners
• Knowledgeable on current affairs
• Must be able to think outside the box
• Ability to develop your own style

^{[10] [11]}

Corporations

Corporations have been owning and operating radio stations since the 1920s with CBS Radio first launching its inaugural broadcast in 1928.^[12] Over the years other corporations would follow them, with ABC launching their first broadcast in 1932.^[13] Radio stations are owned by Corporations that create the shows and jobs. Here is a list of companies that own radio stations:

• Clear Channel Communications^[14]
• SiriusXM^[15]
• Radio One^[16]
• ABC RADIO^[17]
• Beasley Broadcasting^[17]
• Bonneville Broadcasting^[17]
• Buckley Radio^[17]
• CBS RADIO-INFINITY Broadcasting^[17]
• COX Radio^[17]
• Cumulus^[17]
• Emmis^[17]
• Entercom^[17]
• Greater Media^[17]
• Lincoln Financial^[17]
• Regent Broadcasting^[17]

References

Category:Broadcasting occupations