How to hire a newscast producer

How to hire a newscast producer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step newscast producer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a newscast producer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new newscast producer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The newscast producer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A newscast producer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, newscast producers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of newscast producer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Newscast Producer	Description	Hourly rate
   Newscast Producer	Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.	$17-32
   Stage Manager	A stage manager is someone who oversees theatrical performances and all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows, such as lighting cues, sound, prop usage, and costume changes. The core skills that stage managers should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include excellent attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and work under pressure, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills... Show more	$15-36
   Producer Internship	Producer interns require strong analytical, delegation, planning, time management, and prioritization skills, in addition to flexibility and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Interns will need to set up rehearsals, transport musicians and instruments, plan and assist with recreational activities, and perform various other production tasks.	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Control Room
   • Story Development
   • Edit Video
   • News Stories
   • ABC
   • Assignment Editors
   • Assignment Desk
   • ENPS
   • News Coverage
   • Television Station
   • News Content
   • Develop Story Ideas
   • Station Website
   • Editorial Content

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Facilitate and manage CNN weekend editorial team of freelance editorial producers.
   • Work with ABC network and CNN on a daily basis to determine news content.
   • Launch a daily flagship newscast for the ABC affiliate station in a top-50 television market.
   • Design and produce high-level PowerPoint presentations for large-scale corporate events and key stand-alone projects.
   • Nominate for a local Emmy (TM) for editing of a special news program.
   • Facilitate and manage CNN weekend editorial team of freelance editorial producers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your newscast producer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A newscast producer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, newscast producers' average salary in hawaii is 50% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level newscast producers earn 47% less than senior-level newscast producers.
   • Certifications. A newscast producer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a newscast producer's salary.

   Average newscast producer salary

   $50,394yearly

   $24.23 hourly rate

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   Entry-level newscast producer salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a newscast producer job description

   A newscast producer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a newscast producer job description:

   Newscast producer job description example

   KVUE in Austin is seeking an experienced, energetic News Producer to join our team in Texas' fast-growing capitol city. This opening is for a primetime, M-F newscast, so we're looking for someone skilled and up to the challenge! We want our newscasts to reflect Austin -- smart, innovative and creative -- and the successful candidate will be able to use all the video, audio, and graphics tools to tell the story of the day in a way that's uniquely Austin.
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Write and edit news stories for on-air broadcasts and digital platforms
   * Work collaboratively with other producers and staff members to create engaging content and newscasts
   * Use creative production techniques such as graphics and new forms of media (viewer pictures, webcam interviews, etc.) to enhance stories
   * Manage timing of newscasts and communicate with production crew and anchors to facilitate clean execution
   * Perform other tasks as required by supervisor or executive producer
   
   Job Requirements:
   
   Requirements:
   
   * BA/BS in journalism, communications or related field
   * 3-5 years of experience preferred
   * Understanding of the tenets of professional journalism
   * Skills in producing engaging, content-driven newscasts and digital content
   * Knowledge of ENPS and Axis graphics a plus
   * Organizational skills and the ability to work under constant time pressure deadlines
   * Ability to calmly handle live, breaking news situations and changing events
   * Travel: Rarely: less than 10%
   * Work Environment Set: Office: normally performed in a typical interior/office environment
   * Physical Demands Set: Light work: Involves sitting most of the time, walking, lifting, bending, standing, etc.
   
   About TEGNA
   
   TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 63 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA's OTT advertising service. For more information, visit
   
   URL blocked - click to apply
   
   .
   
   TEGNA requires all employees to be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against the coronavirus.
   
   EEO statement:
   
   TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We encourage and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, veteran status or genetic information. TEGNA complies with all applicable laws related to accommodations.
   
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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right newscast producer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your newscast producer job on Zippia to find and recruit newscast producer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with newscast producer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new newscast producer

   Once you've decided on a perfect newscast producer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new newscast producer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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