What exactly does a producer do?

It’s no secret. TV news producers are in high demand. If you are considering a career in TV news, I implore you to explore the role of a producer.

Being a producer is fast paced, rewarding and fun. Trust me, I’ve been there.

While the role can vary from station to station, here are some of the basics of the role:

Stacking the show Perhaps one of the most important tasks of a producer is stacking the show. The producer must take the station brand into account when it comes to flow, pacing and story selection. The producer often times serves as the show runner, making decisions on the content of the show and order of the content. This also means, the producer is working directly with producers, anchors, etc., on stories.

Writing The producer is responsible for the majority of the writing, and re-writing of the show. They must be able to format the writing into the same style and fit it within the time parameters.

Building graphics Graphics are often a huge part of the job, too. Don’t worry, they aren’t building graphics from scratch. They are using templates in newsroom software like Xpression to create lower thirds, full screens, maps, OTSs and more.

Story development Producers will also be taught to assist in the development of stories — everything from adding additional in-depth nuggets to pulling mug shots to making calls to PIOs. Producers are also expected to help with story ideas and participate in editorial meetings. Newsrooms are collaborative units and the producers role is important.

Editing video This depends on the station, but it is not uncommon for producers to edit video. Often times, it’s simple edits like taking video from the feeds and sending it to your rundown. Luckily, most stations have desktop editing software.

Promotion Producers also play an important role in the promotion of their show. They often are responsible for writing topical teases or working with the promotions department or digital department to develop promotional strategy.

Boothing the show And one of the most rewarding parts of the job is seeing the fruits of your labor. Once it’s show time, you sit in the booth and manage the show. You are responsible for the timing of the show, breaking news, live shots, quick adjustments and more.

Travis Ruiz is a former News Director turned Senior Corporate Recruiter for the country’s largest television and media company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. If you are looking for your first (or next) newsroom, contact him today! For a list of current openings, click here.