TV News Producer Job Description
A television news producer handles the behind-the-scenes aspects of news programs. Without the producer, the news couldn't go on. TV news producers handle nearly every aspects of the newscast, from making sure video and graphics related to reports appear on the screen, to telling the on-air talent which cameras to look into.
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Basics
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TV news producers often work nights, weekends and holidays. After all, the news never ends. Their tasks tend to vary by market size. That said, nearly all are responsible for putting together a newscast, helping decide what story should lead the news, how long each report should take between commercial breaks, and what stories can be held for another day. On top of working with the graphics department, reports and anchors, news producers often introduce music and other sound effects into a newscast.
Skills
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TV news producers are in the information business, and therefore, need to be outstanding communicators. Often they will direct an anchor or news program host by talking into a microphone that comes out in the on-air talent's earpiece. So news producers also need to be very familiar with the tools used to get a show on the air--including how to operate cameras, editing equipment and mikes. On top of those things, news producers need a nose for what is news, and must be outstanding researchers and highly creative and organized.
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Background
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The majority of TV news producers need a bachelor's degree in broadcasting or communications. Some, however, can get hired with an associate degree or a certificate from a broadcast college. Along with broadcasting, areas of study for aspiring TV news producers often include journalism, mass media and videography. Occasionally, a TV news producer will have spent time as a copy editor for a print publication, learning the technological side of television while on the job.
Prospects
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As long as there is television news, there will be a need for someone to help get it on the air and make it run smoothly. So opportunities for producers should be good for years to come. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for those in the broadcast industry are expected to increase by seven percent from 2008 through 2018.
Earnings
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Much of a TV news producer's salary is based on market size, and of course, viewers (and especially, advertisers). So wages for news producers are fairly wide-ranging. According to PayScale.com, TV producers earned anywhere from $32,000 to more than $66,000 per year in April 2010.
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References
- Photo Credit news image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
