TV and Radio Jobs
There are various careers in TV and radio, including areas such as presenting, researching and administration. Competition for entry to these careers is severe, so you’ll often need a degree, although it’s possible to enter with fewer qualifications.
Broadcasting Production Assistant
Broadcasting production assistants (PAs) provide administrative support to producers. They work on programmes in either TV or radio.
Possible tasks include typing scripts, booking studios, organising and attending planning meetings, making arrangements for actors and other artistes, sorting out travel and accommodation for film crews, and working in the control room.
Broadcasting Researcher
Broadcasting researchers provide the basic material for radio and television programmes. This involves developing ideas for programmes, finding out relevant information, interviewing people, and writing briefs for presenters and interviewers.
It may be necessary to travel anywhere in the country to do research, so long hours are often involved, including evenings and weekends.
Disc Jockey
Disc jockeys (DJs) present and play music to an audience. The nature of the work varies depending on whether they work in pubs and clubs, mobile discos or radio stations.
DJs operate technical equipment and use a microphone to communicate with the audience. They also use creative skills, for example when carrying out interviews or talking to listeners between tracks.
Presenter
There are a number of presentation jobs in radio and television, including programme presenters, continuity announcers and newsreaders.
Programme presenters keep shows and programmes running. They introduce guests and performers, providing a link between each part of the programme.
Continuity announcers provide the vocal link between programmes. They describe changes in programmes and sometimes interrupt broadcasts with urgent news, or to explain what is going on when faults occur.
Newsreaders present news programmes and bulletins, reading from a script or an autocue system. They introduce pre-recorded news stories and live reports from journalists on location. Some newsreaders write and edit scripts.
Shift work, including nights and weekends, may be required for all presentation jobs. Long hours may also be necessary.
Radio/TV Journalist
Radio/television journalists collect and report on news and other items of interest for radio or television.
Journalists employed in national television and radio are either reporters who go out and collect stories, or sub-editors who write bulletins in the newsroom.