The Editorial Track in TV News: Producing and News Management
When most people think of pursuing a career in television news, they think of positions in newsgathering or production. Newsgathering involves looking for story ideas, researching facts, developing sources and any other aspect of gathering information. Once the facts have been gathered, stories, segments and newscasts are produced by reporters, producers and editors.
Local Television News Track
Assignment Desk
Desk Assistant: An entry-level position at a local station on the assignment desk. Works with assignment editor to answer phones, read the wires, listen to the police and fire department scanners, as well as help coordinate photographers and reporters in the field.
Median Salary: $20,000
Assignment Editor: Manages the assignment desk. Generally there is a dayside assignment editor and a nightside assignment editor. Many stations also have an assignment editor to cover the overnight hours and to help prepare for the early morning newscasts. They pitch story ideas, assign reporters and photographers to stories and gather research to help with the development of stories.
Median Salary: $30,000
Producing
Production Assistant: Another entry-level position to help with administrative tasks and to provide additional support to the assignment desk, reporters, producers, photographers and editors.
Median Salary: $20,000
Associate Producer: The next step on the road to becoming a producer; generally a year or so after the entry level. Works with a producer(s) on one or two assigned newscasts, like the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Asked to write "readers," copy read by the anchor with no video, as well as introductions for reporter packages. May also have to edit video on a nonlinear editing system.
Median Salary: $22,000
Producer: Generally oversees one broadcast, sometimes two. Develops the "rundown," a document that determines the order of the stories in the newscasts and makes sure the entire newscast runs on time. Writes the opening headlines and some readers. Constantly monitors wires and assignment desk for breaking news, as well as the latest developments for existing stories.
Median Salary: $26,000
Executive Producer: Oversees all newscasts. Depending on the market, there may also be a Senior Producer who works with the Executive Producer. Works to make sure lead story is consistent throughout all newscasts. Works with producers to maintain editorial and production standards as articulated by the station.
Median Salary: $49,000
Assistant News Director: Works with news director to manage entire newsgathering and production operation.
Median Salary: $55,000
News Director: Oversees all aspects of news gathering operation, from editorial to production to graphics, making sure the look and feel of all newscasts is consistent with the editorial standards and overall vision of the station.
Median Salary: $65,000
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