How to become a media researcher | Salary, skills, requirements

As a media researcher, you'll work closely with the production team to organise, plan and research everything that will happen during a programme or show. Your role is key to the success of a production, and you're involved at all stages of the production process. This includes pre-production, location and or/studio filming or recording, and post-production. You may also work in print and digital media, researching topics and trends for articles and social media content.

A lot of your time is spent on the phone or online sourcing the various elements needed to make a programme. You'll pitch ideas, source contacts, book contributors and find suitable filming locations. You're also responsible for fact-checking, writing briefs for producers and presenters, and ensuring that production adheres to the appropriate guidelines and legislation. Some researchers also help with filming or sound recording.

You can work on a variety of programmes or within one subject area, for example news or natural history.

The job can lead to an assistant producer role, and is a chance for ambitious recruits to show their potential.

Areas of media research

You may specialise in one area of media, such as:

digital media
film
print
radio
television.

Within these areas, depending on the size and type of employer, you may specialise further. For example, when working in TV media research, you may focus on location or contestant/casting research, or you may carry out a range of research-based tasks and expand into more production-based activities.

In radio, broadcasters may do elements of their own programme research, assisted by the producers and researchers. Researchers in radio contribute to the development of websites that enhance live delivery and may drive the on-air contributions of listeners.

In digital media, you may specialise in advertising effectiveness and analyse trends in this area.

In television and film, researchers may focus on factual research, or picture research, or a combination of the two.

What does a media researcher do?

Typical responsibilities are extremely varied but you may need to:

meet with producers, directors, designers, presenters and writers to discuss the research needs of a programme or social media content
generate and develop new programme and content ideas
undertake relevant background research and convey findings accurately to production staff in reports and briefs
source and research facts, figures and information using the phone, internet, film and tape archives, specialist collections, picture libraries, museums and government departments
assess contributors' suitability for the programme and develop an up-to-date database of regular contributors
research and book contributors, guests and locations
provide a written brief to presenters or, in some cases, such as live events, feed information to the presenters
recruit freelance staff and negotiate fees
provide administrative support such as typing, answering the phone and dealing with contracts
brief scriptwriters, presenters and guests on topics and prepare them for live interviews
write and update scripts and edit news reports
manage programme content and video editing on websites and other social media channels
negotiate broadcasting rights
source copyright for literary and music sources and gain clearance for any materials used
find interviewees to conduct initial interviews with and get vox-pop responses to current events from members of the public
direct a small shoot and carry out straightforward editing.

How much does a media researcher earn?

Freelance and short-term contracts are particularly common in this industry, the typical rate of pay for junior researchers in TV or film is £130 per day/£648 per week.
With experience as a researcher, you can expect to earn £166 per day, or £825 per week.
For higher earnings, you might move into the role of assistant producer, where day rates are £195 and weekly earnings are £937.

Rates of pay vary widely depending on the size and type of company and location, the production itself (size, scale and budget) as well as your skills and experience.

Income data from Production Base. Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a media researcher work?

Staff jobs are extremely hard to come by and researchers are usually freelance. They are generally taken on for specific projects or programmes (often lasting no more than two or three months). Unsocial working hours are a common feature of the job. Researchers may work up to seven days a week for long periods.

How do I become a media researcher?

Although not essential, many media researchers have a degree. The following subjects may increase your chances:

art
broadcasting and media
design
English
history
journalism
media studies
politics
public relations
theatre.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, although a practical journalism or media course may help. Having the right mix of relevant work experience and skills, personal qualities and confidence is more important than your degree subject.

You'll need experience and knowledge of the production process gained from roles such as runner or personal assistant, which are common roles to take if you want to work your way up.

Knowledge of current affairs and the media is useful for general researcher roles. You may need specialist knowledge and research experience for specific subject areas or documentaries.

If you don't have a degree, you could start to build your skills and knowledge by taking a Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production or the Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology. Alternatively, you could take an advanced broadcast production assistant apprenticeship, which combines paid work with study for a level 3 qualification.

It may also be useful to take specialist short courses to help develop your skills. Relevant courses are offered by organisations such as:

Key skills in media research

You'll need to have:

the ability to recognise a strong story idea or narrative
creativity, while also being able to balance your ideas with those from others
a careful balance between visual and methodical thinking
knowledge of legal and ethical principles in relation to the media and copyright, data protection and public liability, as well as health and safety procedures
knowledge of artificial intelligence creative content tools
the ability to develop and draw on a network of contacts
workload management skills, including self-promotion to secure new work.

You will usually need a driving licence.

Media researcher work experience

Pre-entry experience is vital. Many media researchers first gain experience in entry-level jobs in television, often as a runner, or work in newspapers, digital media, radio, or in other areas of research.

Opportunities for work experience do exist, but are highly competitive and places may be limited so you'll need determination to succeed. Companies offering a variety of work experience opportunities include:

BBC - taster experiences
Channel 4 - opportunities include their Production Training Scheme for those interested in careers in research or as a production assistant
Creative Access - work experience and internship opportunities for communities that are underrepresented in the creative industries
ITV - work placements
Pact Indie Diversity Scheme - includes work placement opportunities such as trainee development researcher for people from underrepresented backgrounds
Sky - opportunities include a production graduate placement.

You will need to be creative in seeking out work experience opportunities. Try to get experience in a research role with your local or regional press, hospital or community radio, or student publications, social channels, films or TV productions. You could also contact local production companies to see if they offer work experience. Be prepared to attend industry events and network.

Work shadowing a researcher can also be useful as it gives you an insight into the role and can help you start to develop a network of contacts.

Experience in related areas such as project management will help you develop your communication, problem-solving and organisation skills, which are key to working as a researcher.

Joining communities with an interest in film, television and radio will help provide useful links and keep you up to date on current affairs within the industry. These include:

Build a portfolio/show reel of everything you've contributed to, from newspaper articles to television programmes, to demonstrate your experience when approaching potential employers.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who are the main media researcher employers in the UK?

Most researchers work on programmes for:

television
independent production companies
radio
satellite and cable companies
digital media companies
print publications.

Large corporations, such as the BBC, Channel 4, S4C and Sky may employ some researchers on permanent contracts in areas such as news or sport. BBC Cymru produces and broadcasts in both English and Welsh, while BBC Alba broadcasts Gaelic programmes, made almost entirely in Scotland.

There are also hundreds of independent production companies in the UK, which tend to take on freelancers. These opportunities are typically in London or Salford (near Manchester), although there are some roles in other major UK cities. Independent production companies include:

All3Media
Avalon
Big Talk Studios
Endemol Shine UK
Hat Trick Productions
RDF Television.

Commercial radio companies include:

Bauer Media - includes Kiss, Absolute Radio and Magic networks
Global - includes Capital, Classic FM, Gold, Heart, LBC, Radio X and Smooth
News UK - includes talkSPORT and Virgin Radio UK.

Researchers are also employed by a small number of production companies in the film industry.

You can look for job vacancies at:

To make speculative applications, consult employer listings on websites such as Kays and KFTV. When making speculative applications, do your research and make sure your CV and covering letter are targeted to the company you want to work for.

Websites such as Start in TV are useful for tips and advice on breaking into the industry.

Where can a career in media research lead?

There is no fixed career ladder for the role of media researcher in TV, film and radio. However, you will often start as a runner before starting a career as a junior researcher or research assistant.

Career progression is achieved by working on a variety of programmes, films and stations so it's vital that you establish a strong network of contacts in the industry to help you secure work. As you gain experience, you will start to build your reputation, which can lead to more work and potentially higher pay.

The majority of training takes place on the job, although short training courses are available in-house or externally. The BBC, for example, runs events and training that are advertised on BBC Academy.

Training courses, events and workshops are offered by a range of organisations. ScreenSkills (the industry-led skills body for the screen industries), for example, provides details of funded training courses. They also provide advice on getting into the industry, as well as information on bursaries and mentoring opportunities.

As you progress in your career as a media researcher, you may move from local radio into the national network, or from a local TV channel to high-profile current events programmes. You might also specialise in a particular area, such as music, contestant, archive or location research.

With experience, you may find there is an opportunity to move into a senior researcher position, supervising a team of researchers. It's also possible to move into an assistant producer and then producer role. Further options include moving into other media roles, such as journalism, or other areas of production.