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The UK’s official graduate careers website
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In TV production, at least half the workforce works on a contractual basis and works, on average, six months of the year. The BBC is the UK's largest broadcaster employing around 26,000 people in the UK (with almost 14,500 in production). The BBC has now added digital, cable/satellite and international channels to its existing terrestrial network. There is growing regional interest, and more opportunities are arising outside London. For example, the BBC is moving its opportunities within children's and sports productions to Manchester in 2011.
Channel 4 Television employs around 1,000 people. However, this figure may be cut by up to 15% between 2008 and 2010. Channel 4 Television broadcasts throughout the UK, except Wales, where Channel 4 Wales broadcasts Sianel Pedwar Cymru (S4C) . Five broadcasts terrestrially to around 80% of the UK with the remainder receiving it by cable, satellite or digital equipment. Both C4 and Five commission their programmes from independent production companies whilst S4C commissions them in Welsh from the BBC and independent producers. They do not, therefore, offer opportunities in production.
There are numerous other satellite, cable, and digital broadcasters and news specialists. There are also around 1,000 independent production companies in the UK. Most belong to the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) . Most new entrants start their career here, and many people in the industry spend some of their working careers with independents. Based mainly in London, the majority of these companies comprise one person contracting additional production and technical staff on a freelance basis. It is often in these smaller production companies where a PA carrying out a broad role will be found as opposed to the larger companies where the role has been distributed between PAs, script supervisors and PCs. For full employer listings, consult the Guardian Media 08.
Search graduate jobs on this site.
Most vacancies are not advertised externally, so proactively sending CVs with covering letters, making regular follow-up calls, getting work experience, and having contacts in the industry will make all the difference. It is rare to find paid work without having substantial unpaid work experience first, so try and gain as much experience as possible to enhance your CV. Recruitment agencies sometimes handle vacancies, and you may find temporary jobs through media recruitment agencies. However, networking opportunities should be used whenever possible. Some production companies offer work experience schemes, and a number of independent television companies have graduate opportunities which operate on an individual company basis. These will be advertised on their websites, in the local press, or in The Guardian and Broadcast .
See also job hunting tips and applications, CVs and interviews.
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