Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Programming Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Programming Coordinator is a pivotal role within the content and operations team, responsible for the end-to-end management of our programming schedules. This position acts as the central hub for all content-related logistics, from initial scheduling and asset acquisition to final broadcast and performance analysis. The ideal candidate is a master of multitasking and communication, thriving in a fast-paced environment to ensure a seamless viewing experience for our audience. You will be the organizational backbone of our content strategy, directly influencing what our viewers see and when they see it.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Traffic Assistant
Media Coordinator
Production Assistant

Advancement To:

Senior Programming Coordinator
Programming Manager
Content Strategist

Lateral Moves:

Media Planner
Promotions Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, manage, and distribute comprehensive daily, weekly, and monthly programming schedules for both linear broadcast and on-demand digital platforms.
Act as the primary liaison between acquisitions, promotions, traffic, and master control to ensure seamless communication and execution of the program schedule.
Input and meticulously maintain all programming information, including titles, episode details, versioning, and rights data, within the broadcast management or content scheduling software.
Coordinate the timely ingest, processing, and quality control of all media assets, including full-length programs, short-form content, and promotional materials.
Proactively track all incoming content from external distributors and internal production teams, ensuring all materials meet technical specifications and delivery deadlines.
Execute real-time schedule changes and updates, effectively communicating adjustments to all relevant departments to minimize on-air disruption.
Review and verify program logs for accuracy prior to air, checking for correct timing, content placement, and adherence to regulatory standards (e.g., S&P, FCC).
Manage and maintain the VOD/OTT content library, ensuring assets are published correctly with accurate metadata and artwork for an optimal user experience.
Serve as a key point of contact for scheduling inquiries, resolving conflicts and providing timely information to internal and external stakeholders.
Create and maintain long-range strategic program calendars, mapping out premieres, stunts, marathons, and thematic programming blocks.
Oversee the scheduling of secondary audio programming (SAP), closed captions, and video descriptions to ensure compliance and accessibility.
Monitor competitor schedules and programming stunts to identify potential conflicts and opportunities for counter-programming.
Prepare and distribute daily and weekly schedule highlights and change reports to a wide distribution list including executive leadership.
Collaborate with the marketing and promotions team to align on-air promo priorities with the overall programming strategy.
Manage the versioning of content for different platforms or regions, ensuring the correct edits and formats are scheduled and delivered.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to content performance, ratings, and viewership trends.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by identifying gaps in content metadata and reporting.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for improved scheduling and asset management tools.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team when developing new media workflow solutions.
Assist in generating post-mortem reports on major programming events, analyzing performance and operational efficiency.
Maintain documentation for programming procedures, workflows, and system best practices to aid in training and team consistency.
Support senior programming executives in the evaluation of new content acquisitions by providing availability and scheduling analysis.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in broadcast scheduling software (e.g., WideOrbit, SintecMedia/Imagine Communications, OnAir, Provys).
Experience with Media Asset Management (MAM) systems and digital content delivery workflows.
Strong command of the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for creating schedules, reports, and data analysis.
Understanding of linear and non-linear (VOD/OTT) programming ecosystems.
Knowledge of broadcast standards, video/audio formats, time codes, and technical specifications.
Familiarity with content rights management principles and windows (e.g., SVOD, TVOD, AVOD).

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in data entry and log management.
Superior organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
A highly collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills to build relationships across various departments.
Proactive, self-motivated, and resourceful with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Media Studies, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Communications
Media Studies / Broadcasting
Film & Television

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a media, broadcast, or content operations environment.

Preferred: Direct hands-on experience in a TV programming, traffic, or media logistics role. Experience with non-linear scheduling and VOD content management is a significant plus.