Sports Broadcasting: How to be a sports radio talk show host

Name: Sports Broadcasting: How to be a sports radio talk show host
Rating: 4.5 (70 reviews)

Let a Former ESPN Top Exec Tell You What It Takes to be Hired as a Sports Broadcaster.

Highest Rated

Created byMichael Madden

Last updated 6/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Plan a talk show.
Create a talk show rundown.
Perform an air check.
Explain the difference between a talk show host and a radio personality.
Brainstorm engaging show topics using a topic tree.
List the attributes of a great announcer.

Course content

3 sections • 13 lectures • 1h 53m total length

Course Introduction Promo2:42
Learn to become a great sports radio talk host by preparing shows with topic trees and a solid rundown, and evolve your on-air presence through practice and air checks.

Overview of Sports Talk Radio/ Download Talk Show Guide in resource tab8:33
Use the Talk Show Guide in addition to watching the video lectures. The guide takes you through the steps of acquiring the technology to start your talk show, then supports your effort in delivering a top notch show. You will brainstorm a show topic, find supporting resources, create a rundown, refine your topics, and finally deliver and assess your first talk show.

Send the BMG Aircheck pdf form to your family, friends, or mentor, and ask them to critique your show. You will improve your skills if you are willing to accept feedback.
Talk Show Host vs. Talk Show Personality9:36
Talent drives sports talk radio, and on-air hosts distinguish themselves from personalities through storytelling and the spoken word. Balance the science of radio with art of personality to captivate audiences.
Talk Show Host vs. Talk Show Personality (continued)10:44
What Actions Can You Take to Become a Radio Personality14:38
Learn to become a radio personality by maximizing time spent listening with tight, point-to-point segments, strong teases, and precise benchmarks; prepare with interviews and cross-media engagement to boost ratings.
The Topic Tree: A Brainstorming Technique5:30
Q&A Part One8:40
Learn how to ask essential, fair questions on sports radio, balance edginess with integrity, and develop an authentic hosting style through preparation, producer collaboration, and audience awareness.
Q&A Part One (continued)1:37
Borrow ideas from mentors to shape a unique sports radio hosting voice, avoid lazy copying, set personal boundaries, and lead with authentic, personality-driven storytelling.

Observations By the Expert: How to Get a Job in Radio Sports Talk14:50
Gain practical guidance on breaking into radio sports talk: master the details, hustle for internships, network strategically, handle rejection, and persevere through industry cycles.
Q&A Part Two12:22
Frame a five-year vision around a dream job, such as play-by-play for the Chicago Cubs. Shift from update anchors to a digital strategy with real-time updates and social media.
Q&A Part Two (continued)1:26
Explore building engaging sports radio by embracing diverse perspectives from different neighborhoods, leagues, and colleges, citing the Live Stews in Atlanta and addressing audience needs in Washington, DC.
Q&A Part Three14:58
Q&A Part Three (continued)7:35
Discuss how sportscasting reflects gender and ethnic double standards, advocate for sensitivity and inclusive dialogue, and illustrate leadership through humility and service inspired by John Wooden.

Requirements

Adobe PDF reader
You should be comfortable with technology, or be willing to learn the technology needed to host your own talk show.
Microphone or device that acts like a microphone.

Description

Listen in as the man who discovered Colin Cowherd explains how to kick start your own sportscasting career.

There’s no greater name in sportscasting than ESPN and no more powerful force in radio than the Cumulus and Westwood One networks. Now here’s a rare chance to learn what it takes to be a great sports talk host from a top exec at all these companies. In this course, Bruce Gilbert, former GM at ESPN Radio, and current SVP at the two top networks reveals just what radio pros look for in a new sports talk hire. Gilbert knows from what he speaks. He’s launched the careers of scores of new hosts, including ESPN Radio superstar Colin Cowherd. Listen in as he tells a Sportscasters Mentoring Group 2010 seminar how to develop a topic and discover your own unique sportscaster personality. Topics that are never outdated. Then put his ideas to work as we include several easy to use tools to help you create your own sports talk show. This fast moving, inexpensive course could be the first step to your new career in sports broadcasting or the missing link to take your existing career to the next level.

Be sure to download the talk show guide and aircheck found under Lecture #2.

Who this course is for:

This course is for anyone interested in learning what it takes to become a talk show personality. You should be comfortable with technology if you want to participate in the broadcasting activity.

Sports Broadcasting: How to be a sports radio talk show host

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Undefined1 lecture • 3min

Part One7 lectures • 59min

Part Two5 lectures • 51min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: