When television first began to expand, very few of the people who had become famous as radio announcers were able to be equally effective on television. Some of the difficulties they experienced when they were trying to adjust themselves to the new medium were technical. When working on radio, for example, they had become used to seeing on behalf of the listener. This art of seeing for others means that the announcer has to be very good at talking.

In the case of television, however, the announcer sees everything with the viewer. His duty, therefore, is completely different. He is there to make sure that the viewer does not miss any point of interest, to help him focus on particular things, and to help him understand the images on the television screen. Unlike his radio colleague, he must know the value of silence and how to use it at those moments when the pictures speak for themselves. (157 words)

Useful Words and Expressions

announcer n. （电视、电台）播音员
television announcer 电视播音员
train announcer 列车广播员，列车到发通告器

on behalf of 代表……
Please accept my apology on behalf of the hotel. 请接受我代表酒店向您道歉。

in the case of 就……来说；至于
in case of 万一，假设
In case of fire, ring the bell. 如遇火警请按警铃。