Presenter - Broadcasting

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Introduction

As a Broadcasting Presenter, you will work in radio and television. You might present or co-present a whole programme, provide links between programmes, or read the news. Also known as

Broadcasting Presenter Radio Presenter Television Presenter TV Presenter Work Activities

There are a number of presentation jobs in radio and television. These include programme presenters, continuity announcers and newsreaders.

Programme Presenters

As a Programme Presenter, you'll be the 'face' of a programme. You'll introduce guests and performers, providing a link between each part of the show. Your presenting style will reflect your personality and will need to be in keeping with the image that the Producer and Director want for the programme.

You might entertain by telling jokes and stories, or you could have a more serious, informative delivery. You could be reading from an autocue or learning a script. You might even need to be able to perform without formal preparation - thinking on your feet.

Continuity Announcers

Continuity Announcers provide the vocal link between programmes. You'll tell the watching or listening audience what is coming up and describe changes to programmes - sometimes interrupting broadcasts with urgent news or apologies for faults.

You will usually be live on the air. You'll be given an exact amount of time to fill between items, which could change at short notice. Therefore, you must have extra material to fill any sudden gaps.

Newsreaders

Newsreaders present news programmes and bulletins, reading from a script or an autocue system. You'll introduce pre-recorded news stories and live reports from Journalists on location. You might be involved in writing and editing scripts.

Local, national and international travel may be a feature of this work. You will often work long and irregular hours.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales. Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a Presenter, you will need:

confidence and clear speech the ability to think and react quickly to enjoy working as part of a production team to be able to take direction to be comfortable and natural in front of the camera/microphone the ability to concentrate - you may be running a show while listening to instructions from the control room and

Some Presenters require specialist knowledge. Pay and Opportunities

Pay

Pay rates for presenters vary widely.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Freelance Presenters earn around £250 - £600 a day, rising to around £3,000 a day for some well-known Presenters. Fees for Celebrity Presenters are usually negotiated between Agents and Broadcasters. At this level, earnings can be very high.

Many Presenters work on a freelance, single contract basis. Periods without pay are common.

Hours of work

As a Presenter you will often work long and irregular hours according to the demands of filming or recording. Early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be required. You may work shifts.

Where could I work?

Opportunities for Radio Presenters occur regionally in towns and cities throughout the UK. Most TV Presenter job are in major broadcasting production centres such as London, Birmingham, Manchester/Salford and Leeds.

Employers include radio and television companies and programme makers, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and satellite and independent production companies.

The BBC operates national, regional and local radio. There are also opportunities with other national radio stations, such as Classic FM and Absolute, and with independent local radio stations.

Newsreaders may find work with the BBC or specialist news companies, such as ITN, which provides a news service for ITV, Channel 4 and commercial radio.

Opportunities occur for Presenters to work on assignment in other countries.

Self-employment

Many Presenters work on a self-employed basis.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised:

on job boards on employers' websites on specialist sites such as www.castingnow.co.uk, www.broadcastnow.co.uk and www.starnow.co.uk (you may have to pay for these) Entry Routes and Training

Entry routes

There are no formal recognised entry routes into this type of work. Presenters are sometimes well-known in other fields before they are offered jobs. Continuity Announcers often have experience of other broadcasting work.

Journalism experience is very useful for this career.

Newsreaders are usually qualified Broadcast Journalists.

Some presenters study at college or university before finding a job in the broadcasting industry. Useful subjects include:

media studies performing arts journalism English communications

Work experience

Some Presenters have had previous careers as professional sportspeople, Journalists, celebrities or Politicians.

A background working in TV/radio, e.g. as a Production Assistant/Producer or Researcher, would be valuable.

Relevant work experience, for example, with hospital radio or student radio TV, is important, as it demonstrates commitment and enthusiasm. To get yourself noticed you could write a CV and make a showreel and send them to an Agent or a specialist recruitment site. Determination is very important as this is a hard area to get into.

Progression

With experience, Presenters can progress to higher profile work. Qualifications

Some universities accept the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to one A level. Adult Opportunities

Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Presenters of some programmes, such as children's and young people's television shows, are usually young adults.

Experience

Some presenters/hosts have had previous careers as professional sportspeople, journalists, celebrities or politicians.

A background working in TV/radio, e.g. as a Production Assistant, Producer or Researcher, would be valuable. Further Information

Contacts

ScreenSkills Skills for the creative industries Email: [email protected] Website: www.creativeskillset.org

Creative Choices Publisher: Creative & Cultural Skills Email: [email protected] Website: www.creative-choices.co.uk

Wireless Group Irish enquiries Email: [email protected] Website: www.utvmedia.com

Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) Website: www.hbauk.co.uk

ITV Jobs Website: www.itvjobs.com

Northern Ireland Screen Northern Ireland Enquiries Email: [email protected] Website: www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk

StartinTV Website: www.startintv.com

Broadcast Email: [email protected] Website: www.broadcastnow.co.uk

Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Email: [email protected] Website: www.bjtc.org.uk

The Radio Academy Tel: 020 3174 1180 Email: [email protected] Website: www.radioacademy.org

Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships Tel: 0800 028 4844 Website: ams.careerswales.com/

S4C (Welsh Enquiries) Address: Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff, UK, CF14 5DU Tel: 029 2046 5533 Website: www.s4c.co.uk

The Presenter Studio Tel: 0208 677 7143 Email: [email protected] Website: www.presenterstudio.com Related Careers

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