Jim Jackson, the longtime television voice of the Philadelphia Flyers, gets some additional time to himself while the on-ice hockey season hibernates. With no hockey games to call, the broadcaster shares some of his time with aspiring broadcasting professionals during the summer break during broadcaster training sessions. Philly Sports Network had the pleasure of chatting with the sports broadcaster who is determined to help the next generation of broadcasters tackle their dreams in the sports world.
Jim Jackson offers two different options for individuals of all skill levels to power up their performance on and/or behind the camera. With virtual campers from previous sessions running from “12 to 59”, it is easier than ever before for anyone at any age to grab a microphone and rant to the interwebs about whatever pleases their brain. Those seriously interested in pursuing a career in sports broadcasting often seek additional ways to improve their craft that can often only be found during the rare downtime of the summer months for non-baseball-based sportscasters anyway.
Whether students are doing a podcast heard by 1,000 listeners or a YouTube video only being looked at by Aunt Grace and the cousins, the chance to learn from one of the best in the business does not come around very often. The next opportunity to learn from Jim Jackson will be this Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 10 am in a virtual learning setting on Zoom.
2024 Summer Broadcasting Group Sessions via Zoom
Last month, Jim Jackson hosted one 2024 Summer Broadcasting Group Session with a full turnout. With some participants running into scheduling concerns, Jackson speedily opened up a second group Zoom opportunity, leaving some open availability for a first-time Saturday session.
According to the signup website, the three-hour group sessions discuss broadcast fundamentals, finding your niche in the business, and lessons Jackson learned throughout his broadcast career. The sessions are interactive with the veteran Flyers broadcaster, featuring ample Q&A time. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited to provide the best experience for all broadcasters involved.
The cost for the Zoom call is $150 for the three-hour session with the broadcasting professional. Jim Jackson covers a range of things across the sports broadcasting spectrum which can be incredibly helpful coming from a place of experience. Summer Broadcasting attendees also get a special discount on the 1-on-1 Broadcast Coaching program if they desire to follow up on provided coaching with Jackson.
Jim Jackson 1-on-1 Broadcast Coaching Program
Like many veteran broadcasting professionals, Jim Jackson understands the wisdom behind the real-world experience he has to share with those individuals willing to take steps to improve or even just get started in their craft. At times, that wisdom can be shared in a group setting amongst several peers. Other times, that is not sufficient to tackle ambitious broadcasting goals.
“JJ” has those students covered with the Broadcast Coaching Program which will allow students to get a far more personal-focused approach from the notable speaker. While expectedly more pricey, these sessions offer a variety of benefits that go beyond simple instruction on how to interview better. Jackson digs into the details to find out students’ goals and helps them figure out a path to success over several one-hour Zoom sessions.
Some students, like award-winning broadcaster Chris Lewis, utilized Jackson’s advice to soar to the top of the industry. Jackson met Lewis at a broadcasting camp when the CBS football broadcaster was a teenager. “I’ve mentored him since he was 14 years old,” Jackson smiled. “It’s a great feeling. It’s fun to do.”
As he had done with students in the past, Jim Jackson provides post-session mentoring “for as long as (students) will want me” following the completion of the Broadcast Coaching Program. “Some choose to stay in touch,” chuckled the Syracuse alum. “Some not so much. That’s fine too!”
More Opportunity = More Competition
The digital age of YouTube and podcasts creates more opportunities than ever before in the industry. “Look at the college football season… every college football game now is being broadcast by somebody,” Jackson said. “So there’s more opportunity and demand … there’s a lot more kids that want to do it than when I was getting out of college.”
Syracuse has churned out some of the finest broadcasters that we know today like Sean McDonough (‘84) and Mike Tirico (‘88). Jim Jackson, class of 1985, represents one of “around 20 broadcasters” who excelled after departing S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University from that time frame. These summer sessions have helped Jim Jackson recall some of the broadcasting basics he learned years ago from his time in upstate New York.
“You forget some of the fundamentals, so it’s been good in that way,” Jackson said to Philly Sports Network. “Some of the things that I’m saying to students I say I gotta do more of that. So, it has been very helpful.”
Between the education and real-world experience of thirty years in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Jim Jackson will likely forget more about broadcasting than most of us will ever begin to understand. If you’ve always wanted to hop into the sports broadcasting scene, the 2024 Group Broadcasting Session with Jim Jackson is one way to get essential training from an accomplished broadcaster from the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball. Additional details for the weekend training session can be located at jimjacksonbroadcasting.com.
