Radio / TV producers work for television or radio companies or for independent production companies.

What radio / TV producers do

• oversee a project from conception to completion
• initiate original ideas for projects
• sell these ideas to commissioning editors and manage the technical and creative team
• plan and schedule productions
• keep the project on budget
• negotiate contracts
• in smaller companies may be responsible for research and interviewing
• in local and commercial radio, or in independent companies may also act as presenter.

Key skills

• good knowledge of the industry
• excellent communication skills
• creativity
• good networking skills
• ability to inspire others
• patience
• stamina
• ability to work under pressure
• numeracy
• IT skills
• good technical skills
• problem-solving
• dedication.

Training to be a producer

Most training is on the job. The BBC runs a trainee programme-making scheme, but does not recruit every year. Some independent companies also have graduate schemes.

The organisation Film and TV Freelance Training provides training for those wishing to pursue a freelance career.

Salaries

Salaries vary tremendously depending on the size of the company and the scale of the project. They can be very low to start with, £20,000 to £22,000 being the top rate. Freelance rates for experienced staff can be high.

Professional bodies

• Pact

Related jobs

• Journalist