Announcer

An announcer is a person who makes formal or ceremonial announcements to an audience, and in broadcasting and sports industries, refers to a professional who delivers live or pre-recorded messages to listeners or spectators. Announcers appear in venues such as stadiums and theaters, on radio and television programs, at conferences, and during public events. Their function is to relay information, guide the program flow, and, in some contexts, provide commentary or narration. Typical duties include reading prepared scripts, introducing speakers or performers, announcing the order of events, providing scores, weather, traffic, and safety notices, and reading advertisements or sponsor credits. They may also respond to on-site developments or adapt the script for timing and audience needs, often using a microphone, a teleprompter, and a public-address system.

Common types include public-address (PA) announcers who address a live audience; broadcast announcers who present programs on radio or television; and stadium or game announcers who deliver lineups, scores, and game information. The role can be separate from a host or commentator, or combined with those duties. In film and media, an announcer may be a voiceover artist whose narration is heard but not seen on screen.

Skills associated with the profession include clear articulation, good breath control, even pacing, precise pronunciation, and the ability to improvise when needed. Training ranges from broadcasting schools to on-the-job experience.