Behind the Scenes TV Jobs That Pay Well

A signboard showing Royal Media Services (RMS) broadcast stations along Dennis Pritt Road.
A signboard showing Royal Media Services (RMS) broadcast stations along Dennis Pritt Road.
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Celebrities and media personalities who appear on air are often credited with the success and a majority of them are honoured or awarded for various reasons. 

Often, people behind the scenes in TV production live are overshadowed despite the crucial role they play in a newsroom.

Here are some off-screen media jobs that pay well regardless. 

Producer

A producer’s role is to oversee newscasts. He/she ideates how a news show will run in concurrence with a presenter or anchor. The program may often be their own brainchild.

For this role, one is in charge of selecting show guests, writing scripts and editing videos.

He/she also collaborates with reporters on the ground as well as anchors on the screen for instance during a live broadcast.

To become a producer, one ought to have a degree in Journalism or Mass Communication. At times, they may be required to have majored in TV or radio production. 

The average monthly salary of a TV Producer in Kenya ranges from Ksh100,000 to Ksh150,000 according to multiple local and online salary websites. 

News Editor

Among the roles a news editor plays are identifying stories and appointing reporters to work on them. He/she is also responsible for reviewing scripts and teasers for the anchors. The shape of a story is determined by the news editor.

They also produce content for the newscast’s website and act as gatekeepers to ensure information disseminated adheres to journalistic rules and guidelines.

To be a news editor, employers prefer a degree in Journalism or Mass Communication.

One also has to be agile in the newsroom, have good writing, editing and proofreading skills. 

The average monthly pay of a news editor in Kenya ranges from Ksh90,000 to Ksh120,000.

Director

Directors are the staff most responsible for the videos played on the screen. He/She is in charge of the control room as well as the crew members.

They plan news broadcasts and choose how to schedule the content. Other roles include controlling the order in which stories are aired and scheduling commercial breaks.

Directors also lead the anchor by signalling when they’re on or off air - and the camera crew directing frames, shots and angles.

He/she is in charge of quality control and ensures the transmitters, anchors and reporters are in sync during a newscast. They as well as monitor stories for accuracy and ensure journalistic rules and regulations are adhered to.

A Degree in Journalism, Mass Communication or Film is a requirement for this role. 

The average monthly salary of a TV director in Kenya ranges from Ksh75,000 to Ksh100,000.

File photo of Switch Tv's Control Room
File photo of Switch Tv's Control Room
Switch TV

Photographer/Cameraperson

Camera people capture footage that goes on air. They are also in charge of equipment and select types of cameras, lenses, and gear align with the director’s script. 

They operate either in the studio or in the field.

Camera personnel are also responsible for editing raw images and videos into a format that can be used in the broadcast.

A Degree in Film, Broadcasting, or Communication is required for this role. 

The average monthly pay of a photographer/camera person ranges from Ksh30,000 to Ksh50,000.

Broadcast Technician

Their job is to make sure viewers receive a good broadcast. Their key role is the transmission of news from the studio/field to the viewers’ screens. They’re most active during live sessions.

He/she is in charge of regulating audio and sound quality.

They also select transmission equipment and monitor broadcasts in real-time. 

One requires a Degree in Broadcast Technology, Electronics or Computer Networking.

The average monthly salary is Ksh20,000 to Ksh60,000.

Social Media Manager

Social media managers mostly interact with the audience.

He/she relays information via social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others. They are also in charge of building audiences and creating posts that gain traction through engagements and comments. 

A social media manager is also in charge of the newscast’s blog and website.

They collaborate with anchors, reporters, editors and producers to churn out content. 

One ought to have studied Journalism, Online Communications and Social Networking. 

The average monthly salary for a social media manager ranges between Ksh30,000 and Ksh80,000.

A File Image of Citizen TV Studios
The newly launched Citizen TV Studio with presenters on Sunday, August 7, 2022.
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