Anyone made the switch?

[Newbie1215]

Do you or someone you know, ever made the switch from TV to radio?

The positives?
The negatives?

I want the good, the bad and the ugly!!!

Thanks.

[wxgeek]

I love radio and now have no regrets about a TV career that never really developed.

To be more specific...

Good: Generally more laid-back than TV, even at many corporate-owned stations.
Bad: Generally lower pay.

Good: Never having to wear a tie or makeup.
Bad: Generally lower pay.

Good: You don't have to focus on "Telling the story visually" and can just "Tell the story".
Bad: Much less time to actually "tell the story." 2 Minutes is an eternity in a radio newscast.

Good: People don't recognize you at the grocery store and ask annoying questions.
Bad: People don't recognize you at clubs or restaurants, so you get the same crappy service as everyone else.

[ June 04, 2007, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: wxgeek ]

[TheGreenJacket]

I went from radio to TV, and I still remember the first advice I got.
"TV Pay sucks. Radio pay sucks worse."

[Clubbeat]

I've done both...as a reporter/anchor/producer manager etc.
I enjoy both both but radio pay sucks, even at the management level.

I enjoy TV because of the challenge of telling the story visually. Radio is a little less stress on a daily basis. Like other posters have said, no dress up in radio, even if you're on the street covering stories (although looking professional doesn't hurt).

If you're passionate about Journalism like most people here are, then it might not mater whether you're in radio or TV.

[Sultanosurf]

Newbie1215: Depends whether you anchor or report. If you're an anchor in a coveted morning radio slot, you can make fine dough, and establish longevity TV sometimes doesn't allow. Same to a lesser degree on afternoon shifts. Anchoring other shifts could mean seven hours on-air. But there is also an immediacy in radio that TV can't match.

If you're a reporter, you'll be runnin' and gunnin' all day, and could likely be asked to turn four pieces a day. Radio is also a hell of a lot easier to edit, and you don't have to deal with shooters you might not like.

Remember, at a good news radio, what you have with a breaking story goes on NOW. Which is also part of the allure. I'd add that a good news radio shop can provide you much better training than you'll get in TV.

Bottom line IS really bottom line - most radio gigs won't pay the same as TV, unless you anchor.

Good luck.

[ June 04, 2007, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: Sultanosurf ]

[Kace]

2 Minutes is an eternity in a radio newscast.
Especially when dead air's involved.

[Meow Meow]

I do both and love each for different reasons. Unless you are morning show DJ you will make NOTHING. Radio pay is the worst. On the bright side, I don't wear any make up when I go to the radio studio. Hooray for fresh faces and pajamas at work.

[TVMattNYC]

I started my career in radio ... eventually reported and anchored for two radio networks.

I MUCH prefer radio. The immediacy ... autonomy ... creativity. And let's face it, when the $hit hits the fan and the power goes out, where else but RADIO will you get your information?

The pay sucks, though ... that's why I'm now in network television.

[s'news]

I love radio. I would love to return to radio.

But for most who are there, it just doesn't pay.

[Newbie1215]

So.... you're saying the pay is not that great. smile.gif

[BPOnTheAir]

I spent almost 12 years in radio before jumping to television. I absolutely loved it, but there was one major downside (outside of the mentioned "bad pay").

In radio, it's easier to streamline operations. I never felt my job was very stable because it was easier to voice track or syndicate the news. I was proven right when my company was bought out, and they let the news staff go. The local news was then handled by a group two cities over.

It didn't make sense to us, but when bigger companies want to save a buck...

That buyout thrust me into television news, and I don't regret it. I do miss the relaxed atmosphere, but I'm having a bit more fun in TV.