Should I Become a TV News Producer?
TV news producers oversee the production of news broadcasts and are responsible for finding stories, creating segments and discovering breaking news. Producers work as part of a team that includes anchors, cameramen, writers, researchers and editors. TV news producers have creative control of broadcasts and focus on a variety of news subjects, which can keep work exciting. They may work long hours to produce several newscasts a day. They may also need to be ready to work whenever the news happens. Some TV news producers travel with a news team and produce newscasts on location.
It is important for TV news producers to have strong journalistic skills, which they can obtain in a bachelor's degree program. Additionally, having experience in the field is vital to obtaining a producer position. Most producers begin their career in an internship, and they will be given opportunities to work their way up the ladder.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Name | Broadcast journalism, business, communication or another related field |
| Experience | Experience in broadcast or a related industry is necessary |
| Key Skills | Leadership and management skills, creativity, strong journalistic instinct, verbal and written communication skills, ability to meet deadlines |
| Salary | $42,979 per year (Median salary from February 2020 for all news producers) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale.com
A career as a TV news producer will require a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism, business, communication, or another related field. This type of work also involves gaining experience in broadcast or a related industry. Some key skills that a producer will need in the workplace are leadership and management skills, creativity, strong journalistic instinct, verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to meet a deadline.
The website PayScale.com reported in February of 2020 that the median annual salary for all news producers was $42,979 a year.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Individuals who want to work in the broadcast news industry would benefit from earning a bachelor's degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism. This is an opportunity for students to begin to develop an understanding of the industry and how the news is broadcast to an audience. Courses will cover areas involving journalism, communications, media studies and news production. In addition to academic coursework, students may also have an opportunity to gain production skills, as well as learn about camera and equipment operation, news writing and announcing.
Success Tip
- Work at a campus news station while enrolled as a student. Many colleges and universities have a campus news station that is run by the student body. This is an opportunity to start producing news segments and gain experience in the field.
Step 2: Complete an Internship
Internships are a way for prospective TV news producers to gain practical experience in the field and learn how the news is broadcast. Broadcast journalism programs may strongly suggest or even require an internship as part of the program, because it helps students learn to work as part of a news team. This is a chance for students to begin to hone their skills in the broadcast industry and develop contacts for the first time out of college.
Success Tip
- Make a reel. Students should create a reel of any segment they have produced, whether it is at the college station or during an internship. Not only will this help showcase talent, but it may also demonstrate the ability to cover a story, write, and gather information.
Step 3: Production Assistant Jobs
TV news producers will often begin their career as a production assistant. This is an entry-level job that will give individuals the knowledge and experience they need to work their way up to a producer position. The duties of a production assistant vary, and responsibilities may include moving equipment, studio preparation, lighting and logging footage. Many news organizations promote from within, so earning a promotion could lead to a producer position.
Step 4: Professional Organizations
Aspiring television news producers who desire to advance their careers should consider joining the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). These organizations offer various membership benefits including access to industry resources, tools, trends, conventions, job banks, networking opportunities and other avenues for professional training and advancement.
Remember, a career as a television news producer necessitates a bachelor's degree and industry experience that has allowed an individual to develop the skills to work with a news team and to create and oversee the broadcasting of a news show or segment.
