Live Interview

What is a Live Interview?

A live interview is an interview broadcast in real time, with no possibility of cutting. Every word goes on air immediately – there is no correction and no subsequent editing.

Live Interview in Detail

The live interview is the counter-model to the recorded interview: what is said is immediately public. This brings opportunities and risks. The advantage is full control over your own statements – nothing can be cut out of context, every message goes on air unabridged. The risk is that slips, blackouts, or ill-considered statements cannot be corrected. Live situations increase the pressure: time is short, there is no second chance. All the more important are thorough preparation, clear key messages, concise answers, and the control of nervousness. Techniques such as bridging help you stay composedly with your own message even with difficult questions. Those who convince live seem especially credible, because the audience sees the uncut, authentic reaction. Good preparation turns the pressure of the live situation into an advantage: full control over your own message.

In practice, the live interview offers full control over your own message – nothing can be cut out of context, every statement goes on air unabridged. This is at the same time its risk: slips, blackouts, or ill-considered statements cannot be corrected, and the time pressure is high, because there is no second chance. All the more important are thorough preparation, clear key messages, concise answers, and the control of nervousness. Techniques such as bridging help you stay composedly with your own message even with difficult questions. Those who convince live seem especially credible, because the audience sees the uncut, authentic reaction – good preparation turns the pressure of the live situation into an advantage.

How do you master a Live Interview?

The live interview broadcasts statements in real time, without a cut. This gives full control over your own message but allows no correction. You stay composed through preparation, clear key messages, concise answers, and techniques such as bridging.

Live Interview – Examples in Practice

A board member gives a statement live in a news broadcast. An expert is interviewed in real time on a radio program. A spokesperson stays calmly with his message despite critical live questions.

Live Interview: Key Features at a Glance

• Real time: on air immediately
• No cut: no correction possible
• Advantage: full control over the message
• Risk: slips cannot be corrected
• Prerequisite: preparation and control of nervousness

Related Terms

• Recorded Interview
• Television Interview
• TV Interview
• Interview Formats
• Bridging

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Live Interview: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a live interview?

An interview broadcast in real time with no possibility of cutting – every word goes on air immediately.

What is the difference from the recorded interview?

In a live interview there is no correction and no cut. In a recorded one, the editorial team decides afterward which passages are broadcast.

What advantages does a live interview have?

Full control over your own statements: nothing can be cut out of context, every message goes on air unabridged.

How do you prepare for a live interview?

With clear key messages, concise answers, the control of nervousness, and techniques such as bridging to stay composedly with your own message.