Mass Communication II – Final Project Outline

1. Introduction

The media industry has experienced exponential growth during the 20 th century
(Dominick, 2012). Broadcast television is one of the first media sectors that have undergone
inconceivable shifts during this period, from limited broadcasts via the electromechanical 30-line
system in the late 1920s and 30s to today’s direct broadcast satellite (DBS). The growth of the
broadcast TV industry has also given rise to a new batch of professions, from TV broadcasters to
video editors to disk jockeys. All these professions come with a unique set of responsibilities,
educational and salary requirements, and job benefits. This project will first explore the history
of broadcast television, especially the significant changes the industry has undergone over the
years relating to government regulation, the Internet, and contributions by the international
community. Secondly, the project will examine the educational requirements, duties, salary cap,
and job benefits of a news producer as one of the prominent crew members of the broadcast TV
network.

2. The Industry

2.1. Government
The first official effort by the US to regulate broadcasting came in 1910 when Congress
passed the Wireless Ship Act to guarantee maritime safety. This was way before broadcast TV
was even developed. This legislation required a skilled technician and radio operator to be on
board all passenger ships to ensure the safety of passengers. With broadcast TV emerging in the
late 1920s, the passing of the Communications Act in 1934 was the first attempt by the
government to regulate both radio and TV broadcasting properly. The Act established the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the critical, independent regulatory agency

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responsible for setting rules, managing the use of airwaves, and issuing operating licenses. The
1967 Public Broadcasting Act is another primary legislation that established the Public
Broadcasting Service (Dominick, 2012)
2.2. Internet
Since its inception in the 1990s, the Internet has profoundly shaped the broadcast TV
industry. For example, broadcast networks are increasingly investing resources to make their
websites more attractive to users. For instance, ABC broadcasts full episodes of its programs on
the ABC.com website and posts promotional videos and additional background material,
including quizzes and games. CBS.com also runs an HDTV player, program previews, full
episodes of its programs, and “special” features. According to the Pew Research Center, local TV
stations generated approximately $1.34 billion in 2010 from websites (Dominick, 2012). A high-
speed broadband connection has enabled broadcast TV companies to create and distribute
content exclusively via the Internet.
2.3. International Community
The international community – the global TV network – has also overwhelmingly shaped
broadcast TV. According to Dominick (2012), improved satellite distribution and the Internet
have more popularized the global TV network. The global video traffic comprises TV signals
broadcasted over the Internet or through satellite to the international audience. The BBC (the
UK), the Deutsche Welle (Germany), the Voice of America (the US), and China Central are
some of the global TV networks that broadcast their content internationally.

3. The Profession

3.1. Educational Requirements

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A news producer is one of the most integral professions in broadcast TV. Qualifications
to work as a news producer include a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or
journalism. A business or political science background is helpful if one wishes to specialize in
those subject areas.
3.2. Duties/Roles
The roles of a news producer range from creating newscasts by taking all content
gathered during the day to meeting with news directors to collect stories to creating TV programs
that flow swimmingly. News producers also check stories for accuracy and grammar and
collaborate with the production department to select broadcast content. They are responsible for
communicating with field crews (journalists) and timing multiple elements during live
broadcasts (stories, sports, and weather) to ensure each program ends at the designated time.
3.3. Salary
The average annual salary of a news producer in the US is $80,154. This figure
represents the median “base pay,” although the amount can rise to $100,942 if additional
payments (tips, commissions, and cash bonuses) are factored in (Glassdoor, n.d.). These figures
can fluctuate depending on the TV network or an employee’s job category. In 2020, the annual
median wage for TV and radio producers was $60,550 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).
3.4. Job Benefits
TV producers are entitled to similar employment benefits as other “standard” employees.
Within their contracts (often 12 months), TV producers are entitled to life & medical insurance,
paid vacation, and reimbursement for travel expenses. Studies show that 51% of TV producers in
the US have vision care insurance, 57% dental insurance, and 71% medical benefits.
3.5. Websites/Trade Publications Linked to the Job

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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics remains one of the critical government organizations
providing basic information about the labor market across all occupations. The website offers
news producers essential details on pay, work environment, educational requirements, job
outlook, state and area data, and so on.
3.6. Internships Available for the Job
Nearly all broadcast TV stations (public and private) provide TV internships for
graduates wishing to gain experience in the content production area.

4. Conclusion

The broadcast TV industry is one of the leading media sectors in the modern era,
establishing careers like news production. This project focuses on the history of broadcast
television, especially the significant changes the industry has undergone over the years relating
to government regulation, the Internet, and contributions by the international community. It will
also examine the educational requirements, duties, salary cap, and job benefits of a news
producer as one of the prominent crew members of the broadcast TV network.

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References

Dominick, J. R. (2012). The dynamics of mass communication: Media in transition (12 th ed.).
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Glassdoor. (n.d.). TV producer salaries – the US. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-tv-
producer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,14.htm
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Producers and directors.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm#tab-5