How to Become a TV Show Host

Television show hosts come in many forms, but currently, the most popular form of television show host is based on reality TV. Reality television show hosts must have a strong understanding of the program's format and the willingness to devote an extraordinary amount of time to production and post-production. Game shows are another popular medium for television show hosts. Many of the major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) provide game show forums for hosts that range from quiz shows to shock game shows. However, take a look at these five necessary steps to becoming a television show host before you decide to take the plunge.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Degree from an accredited university
• Internship with local broadcasting company
• Local (or national) hosting experience

1. Enroll in a communications or journalism degree program at an accredited university. Most major networks and news organizations will only hire anchors and hosts for jobs who have a degree in the related field.

2. Intern with a major (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) network or a cable news (CNN, FOX News, MSNBC) network. Major networks and cable news channels, often, hire from within their own companies, so an internship is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. Many accredited university programs in communications will offer local (or national) internships. Some of the more prestigious internships are unpaid, but do not shy away from them because they may turn into a high-paying job after you graduate.

3. Search for local hosting opportunities in your area. Nightclubs and comedy clubs are a first-class way to get your feet in the door of television hosting. Not only will hosting nightclub and comedy club events help you to gain notoriety, but hosting such events will also help you to develop a sense of crowd control and stage presence. Both of which are essential attributes that major networks look for in a television show host.

4. Search for a hosting position on your local public access/news networks and radio stations. Both provide experience in filmed and/or taped media and will afford you clips to add to your resume. Most, if not all, major networks need to assess your on-air presence before they hire you to host their television show.

5. Market yourself toward the genre of television hosting that you wish to pursue. Maybe you are edgy enough to host a major network's shock television game show. Assess your personal attributes and decide whether you are skilled in handling tense situations. If not, maybe your personality suits a major network's quiz television show. In either case, you will need to have a good sense of time management and an ability to comfort contestants through difficult situations.

6. Make yourself available to the major networks and cable news organizations. Apply for entry-level jobs and work your way up to television show host. Very few prominent hosts started at the top, but rather had to start at a lower paying job that offered less recognition.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not pigeon-hole yourself into only one genre of television show hosting. Remember, versatility counts for a lot with the major networks and cable news organizations.