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TV presenter
Television presenter, TV broadcaster
TV presenters introduce and host programmes, interview people and report on issues and events.
Average salary (a year)
£0
Starter
£0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
45.0 to 47.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
flexibly
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; volunteering; specialist subject knowledge
University
You could do a degree that will teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed to become a TV presenter.
Relevant subjects include
media production, drama or performing arts, journalism or broadcast journalism, media or communication studies
Other degree subjects can also be useful. For example, in some presenting roles you may need specialist subject knowledge like
science, history, economics, politics
You can search for courses that are approved by ScreenSkills.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could do an apprenticeship in broadcasting or journalism like
Broadcast Production Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, Journalist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, Senior Journalist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
With experience and further training you may be able to move into TV presenting.
Entry requirements
Most people following this route have:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
Presenters often move into TV from other media jobs like journalism and research, or from presenting on radio or online.
You may be able to start as a production runner or researcher with a media organisation and work your way up with experience and training.
Volunteering
You could get presenting experience through:community media, hospital radio, commercial radio, student radio
Look out for
work experience placements, insight and talent days, internship schemes
These may help you get into the industry.
You can search for opportunities with broadcasters like:the BBC, ITV, Channel 4
Other Routes
If you have detailed knowledge of a subject, such as sport, gardening, food or science, you might find work as an expert contributor, presenting or co-presenting programmes with an experienced professional.
More Information
Career Tips
Some broadcasters hold competitions to find new presenters.
You'll usually need a showreel, with clips of yourself on camera, to give to broadcasters, producers or media recruitment agencies.
You will need to audition and take a screen test.
Competition is strong, so you'll need determination, persistence and the ability to promote yourself.
Jobs are not always advertised, so you need to make industry contacts to find out who is hiring.
Further Information
You'll find more details about working in TV and the media through:ScreenSkills, Broadcast Journalism Training Council, Media City, Discover Creative Careers
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of media production and communication
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Active listening skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    To be flexible and open to change
    Concentration skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
Your daily tasks would depend on the type of show you present.
As a TV presenter you could
work on live or pre-recorded programmes, go through your show's running order with the production team, get briefings from researchers, or prepare your own scripts, links and interview questions, rehearse, present your show, read from an autocue, interview guests or work with a studio audience, react to on-air instructions given to you by the director or floor manager
Working environment
You could work at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
You may be able to move from freelance contracts to a full-time, paid role with a TV channel.
You could switch from smaller or regional TV productions to national and international TV work.
You may be able to go from lower budget programmes to presenting on prime-time TV.
With an established TV career you could take on other media work, like
radio, acting, writing for newspapers or magazines, production
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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