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TV presenters introduce and host programmes, interview people and report on issues and events.
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; flexibly
Your daily tasks would depend on the type of show you present, but you may:
You could work at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You can get into this job through:
You could get a degree that will teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed to become a TV presenter. Some relevant subjects include:
Many other degree subjects can also be useful. For example, in some presenting roles you may need specialist subject knowledge like:
You can find out about courses that are endorsed by the TV and film industry skills body, ScreenSkills.
You'll usually need:
You could take your first step into TV work through the following advanced apprenticeships:
Higher apprenticeships in journalism may also help, like:
With experience and further training you may be able to move into TV presenting.
Most people following this route have:
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 off in jobs like production runner or researcher and work your way up with experience and further training.
You could get presenting experience through:
Look out for:
These may help you get into the industry.
You can search for opportunities with organisations like:
If you have detailed knowledge of a subject like sport, gardening, food or science, you might find work as an expert contributor, presenting or co-presenting programmes with an experienced professional.
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.
You'll find more details about working in TV and the media through:ScreenSkills; Broadcast Journalism Training Council; Media City; Discover Creative Careers
You may be able to move from freelance contracts to a full-time, paid role with a TV channel.
You could move 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 move into other media work like radio, acting or writing for newspapers and magazines.
With experience, you could also choose to move into other areas within the media industry like production.
Creative Skillset has more information on working as a TV presenter.