Channel 863 to ITV: Industry interview with James Green
At 31 years old, James Green decided to go back into education to begin a new career in sports journalism.
He studied for an NCTJ diploma in News and Sport Journalism at the Press Association in 2015. At the time, he questioned the decision, but has since described it as the best of his life.
Back with your sport on @SkyNews this morning.
♦️Previewing Man City vs Liverpool
♦️F1 season finale
♦️Harry Kane record breaker
♦️Millie Bright out for the Lionesses
♦️And much more pic.twitter.com/qoXaVzwYzx— James Green (@JamesGreenInUK) November 25, 2023
He said: “That was the moment where everything changed.
“Being at the front of the class, being the complete opposite to what I was like in school by having my hand up and answering all the questions, I loved it.”
James had already been a presenter, but education in the sector of sports and news gave him a renewed sense of passion for his profession.
“It recaptured a part of my brain that was lost. I feel like it sounds ridiculous, but I just wasn’t using it in the right way that I should have been.
“Studying reignited my love for sport again, reignited my love for journalism and wanting to do everything properly.”
https://twitter.com/JamesGreenInUK/status/1692133278365454507
The digital age
James credited the rise of the digital age for the growth of his online platform, regularly interacting with his followers on social media.
“There’s so many opportunities online and locally to work your way from the bottom up.
“You’ve all got an audience. Whether it’s just your friends, 50 friends, someone with thousands of followers or whatever. You’ve got a platform and you need to, in my opinion, use our platform for better.”
Social media can provide so much scope and James is encouraging young people to use the Internet to help somebody and be positive.
“If we can, we should all use our platform to share messages. And if you’ve got something that’s really important to you, then share it.
“If you impact one person, brilliant. Ten people, even better. It’s about just having any sort of impact that can bring some positive light to somebody’s life.”
Perks of social media for young sports journalists
The great thing about online sports journalism is that it cuts out the middle man. You can be your own boss and publish your own content, whether it be visual content on YouTube, written content on WordPress or podcasts on Spotify.
People such as Fabrizio Romano, David Ornstein and Gianluca Di Marzio have huge social media followings, bigger than entire sports news organisations.
In sports media now, people tend to go to individuals for news, placing their trust in them as their source of quick and reliable information.
Fan channels have also thrived in the online sports media, with YouTube channels like Arsenal Fan TV, The Anfield Wrap and The United Stand popular with fans of the corresponding clubs.
James believes online content is vital for young people to break through in the industry.
“There’s always an article, a video, practising in front of a mirror, live streams, reports, doing a live blog while watching a game. Just keep doing that.
“My advice to young people is there’s always more. There’s all these things that you can always do and it’s only going to help you, not hinder you.”
Update on Jurrien Timber’s ACL injury for Arsenal.
— James Green (@JamesGreenInUK) August 17, 2023
Technological advances
Technology has progressed so much in the last two decades and James shared his experience with technology and how the landscape has changed for him in the industry.
“With this age of modern technology, everybody wants things now.
“I don’t want to sound like a grandad, but back when I was studying at university, I didn’t really have Google to go on, I didn’t have social media.
“I was in a library researching. The Internet was getting better, but we were reading books all the time and it was really hard work. We had to graft to get that knowledge in, whereas now, you go on your phone, go to Google and bang, there’s your answer.”
James elaborated on the idea that everything is expected now in the digital age, applying this mindset to the way young people look for jobs after education, especially in sports media.
“There’s a perception nowadays that you get to that phase of your life and it’s like, right, where’s BBC? Where’s Sky? Where’s ITV? I’ve done my degree and I’ve done great, where’s my job? And it turns out there’s only one or two top places for the whole country.
“My key thing is just to be patient. You can’t compare your journey to others because everybody else is on a different journey, and that’s the hardest thing to do.
“Certainly when you’re younger, it’s really tough, and I made that mistake many times in the past where I’m looking at someone else who’s busier than me or doing a job, and I scratch my head and go, I don’t understand. But you just can’t because it’s wasted energy.”
Working your way up
James spoke about his own journey in presenting, how he navigated his way through the media to where he is now.
“I’ve done everything. Whether it was an obscure casino channel on channel 863 to ITV, everything I’ve done is for that buzz, excitement and adrenaline of live TV.”
James is now a freelance presenter for Sky News, Sky Sports News and works many other roles as a live events host.
He shared his knowledge on current top presenters and the journey they had to get to where they are now.
“I joined Sky at 35. There’s no rush to get your face on TV. Take Tom White and Laura Woods as examples.
“Both are big presenters and both started out as runners at Sky. They started and at the bottom, worked their way up, waited for their opportunity while learning what happens behind the scenes to develop their skills as they go on.”
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is back in the UK and expected in London in the next 24 hours for a West Ham United medical ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/XY5W1uG4ZO
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 24, 2024
“If you use your time wisely and build up all your experience, you’ll be fine.”
Challenges of social media
James spoke on the obstacles that social media can bring regarding online hate and abuse.
“Over the years, I’ve been incredibly lucky that I haven’t suffered much abuse.
“I’m doing my research, preparing how I should be, that I’m not making any shortcuts, that when I’m on air, I’m making sure that I am doing the best job I possibly can so that I’m not making a massive error or a massive howler.
https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1674420533549731845
“This industry is tough and you’ve got to have rhino skin. You’ve got to be a sponge to soak up every ounce of information possible because you never know when you’re going to need to use it.”
When applying for jobs, young people often face a lot of rejections and James wanted to highlight how best to take these rejections.
“Navigating the media world isn’t easy. The rejections, the constant no replies on emails, phone calls, messages.
https://twitter.com/JamesGreenInUK/status/1664994353947746306
“You’ve got to be tough. You can’t take it personally, and you can’t compare your journey to others because everybody else is on a different journey, and that’s the hardest thing to do.
“You have to prove those people that they’ve either made a mistake or prove to them they really should’ve been knocking on your door.”
