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Broadcast presenter : Salary and conditions

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Case studies

  • Work conditions vary enormously, depending on the broadcast medium and type of programme involved. For example, the working conditions for a presenter on a small local radio station with a show in the middle of the night will be vastly different from conditions for a high-profile celebrity with a prime-time television show.
  • Most presenters, particularly those on national radio and television, employ an agent to negotiate working terms and conditions on their behalf.
  • Starting salaries vary enormously, depending on whether the broadcaster is working full time for a channel/radio station or working freelance, on an ad-hoc basis. Experience is a significant help in negotiating fees upwards. In broadcasting, starting salaries can be as a low as £14,000, rising to £100,000+ with significant experience. Successful/celebrity presenters may earn much higher salaries (BBC, 2011).
  • Most presenters work freelance and payments are normally calculated per show or on short, fixed-term contracts to deliver a certain number of programmes. There may be opportunities to take breaks between contracts.
  • Generally speaking, television pays more than radio but, again, this depends on the type of programme and the profile of the presenter.
  • Work is rarely, if ever, 9am to 5pm; hours may be long and unsocial, involving early mornings, evenings and/or weekends, although this depends on the timing of the programme and whether it is live or pre-recorded.
  • Presenters work much longer than the actual broadcast hours. Pre-show preparation, such as meetings with the producer, researching, writing scripts, rehearsing and post-show review, which includes discussing the broadcast with the producer and beginning advance planning for the next show, all add to the working day.
  • Most work is based in a radio or television studio. Outside broadcasts may involve working in all conditions.
  • Much of the national broadcast industry is centred on London. Other studios exist in Glasgow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds and Birmingham. The BBC is moving, and has already moved, a great deal of its production facility - including Radio 5 Live, Children's BBC and BBC Sport - to MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester, its largest presence outside of London. ITV is also moving to MediaCityUK.
  • Presenters have a public image to maintain and, as a result, must be prepared for some loss of privacy.
  • Travel during the working day varies according to the type of programme. Radio roadshows, for example, involve a significant amount of travel, with presenters working away from home for extended periods of time. Similarly, documentary-makers or roving reporters can also be expected to travel in the UK and abroad to cover stories and news events.
  • Currently, 47% of those working in the radio broadcasting industry, and 48% in terrestrial television, are female (Skillset, 2010). The Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN)  and Cultural Diversity Network  both work to improve the diversity of the industry's workforce.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
September 2011
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