You might think of a TV reporter as the “face” of the morning or evening news – but before they landed their big break, they started out as a budding media enthusiast, just like you! 

If you’re interested in getting a job as a news anchor or TV reporter, you’ll need a combination of education, training, and experience. And like any camera-facing career in media, you’ll also need the personality. Securing your dream career in broadcasting isn’t something that will happen overnight, but the journey is more than worth the destination.

What is a News Anchor/TV Reporter?

A TV reporter, or news anchor, is a professional that presents the news, typically on a regularly-scheduled basis (for example, every weekday evening). As a news anchor, you’ll work for a local or network news television station, or possibly for an online streaming network. 

Usually, news anchors are positioned behind a desk, where they present important information about current events and breaking news stories to viewers. However, you might also have a job as a TV reporter that provides on-site reporting. Some TV reporters specialize in specific topics, such as politics or sports, while others cover a broad variety of content.

What Does a News Anchor Do?

On a day-to-day basis, the job responsibilities of a news anchor generally include:

• Deliver news content and information, on-camera, to the public (news, information, etc.)
• Introduce other in-studio or in-field reporters
• Conduct interviews with professionals or other individuals of interest
• Reading from a teleprompter and notes
• Improvising on-air if/as needed
• Creating scripts and notes for on-air use
• Researching stories/information
• Participating in regular news briefings with fellow reporters, news director, and other staff
• Pitching news story ideas

Today’s TV reporters also often maintain a social media presence, as a way to engage with their audience.

How Much Do TV Reporters Make?

Like any job, the average salary of a TV reporter depends on many different factors, including:

• Experience level
• Location
• Size of the employer

As a TV reporter, your salary is also influenced by your position. For example, an entry-level reporter that only presents occasional human-interest stories (local family-friendly events, new restaurants in the area, etc.), will typically make less than an experienced anchor that delivers the nightly news.

Of course, your earning potential increases as you gain experience and new skills. 

How Do You Become a TV Reporter?

A job as a TV reporter can be an exciting and fulfilling career, but do you have what it takes? With a combination of education, skill-building, and determination, getting a great job is absolutely possible.

Education requirements for TV reporters

First and foremost, you’ll need to complete an educational program specifically tailored to broadcasting. Depending on your career goals, you might enroll in a Radio & TV Broadcasting program, or you could consider a more niche focus like Sports Broadcasting or Hispanic Media Broadcasting.

In these media-centric programs, you’ll build the solid foundation of knowledge necessary for your future career. You’ll learn a diverse range of skills, including public speaking, how to operate on-camera, and even how a TV news station works.

Required skills for TV reporters

As you would expect, one of the most important skills required to become a TV reporter is the ability to comfortably present information on-camera. The best reporters are the ones that are able to connect with the audience and deliver content in an engaging manner – this quality is what will lead viewers to choose your news network often the competition.

You’ll also need to be able to successfully read a teleprompter and maintain professional composure at all times. This calls for a balance of verbal, improvisational, and interviewing skills. Many TV reporters also write their own news stories, so honing your writing skills is key.

Training and experience requirements for TV reporters

Even the most famous TV reporters didn’t go straight from media school to a national news network; gaining experience and training through work experience and internships is a must. Ideally, you’ll attend a school that helps connect you to industry internships, while also providing in-studio experiences throughout your educational career.

Learn How to Get a Job as a TV Reporter and Pursue Your Career Goals

Any successful career in media starts with an excellent education, so your first step towards the future is to choose a media school where you can study your craft.

At the BeonAir Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, we offer several educational paths for students interested in a career in broadcasting. Whether you want to be an on-camera personality or work behind the scenes, you can get started here.

Learn more about how to get a job in broadcasting when you contact our team today!

 

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