How to Be News Broadcast Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions
As technology continues to advance, broadcast technicians are increasingly in demand. With the rise of digital media, the need for skilled technicians to operate broadcasting equipment and ensure that the highest quality content is being produced for various forms of media, such as radio and television, is greater than ever. Broadcast technicians are responsible for setting up and operating a variety of audio and visual equipment used in broadcasts, as well as ensuring that the audio and video signals are properly transmitted.
In addition, they must be knowledgeable about the latest industry trends and techniques to ensure that the content being broadcast meets the highest standards. The demand for broadcast technicians is expected to grow as the industry continues to evolve and expand, making it a great career choice for those who are passionate about broadcasting and possess the required technical and problem-solving skills.
Steps How to Become
- Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for entry-level positions in broadcast technology.
- Pursue a Degree in Broadcast Technology. A degree in broadcast technology or a related field from an accredited college or university is necessary to become a news broadcast technician. Coursework may include audio and video production, computer technology, electronics, and communications.
- Earn Certifications. The Society of Broadcast Engineers offers several certifications for broadcast technicians, such as Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBN-T), Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE), and Certified Senior Broadcast Engineer (CSBE).
- Get Hired. After obtaining a degree and certifications, the next step is to get hired. There are many job openings for broadcast technicians at news stations, radio and television stations, and other media outlets.
- Gain Experience. To become a news broadcast technician, experience is essential. With experience, you can gain knowledge and skills in areas such as operation of studio equipment, audio and video editing, and computer systems operation.
- Become Certified. After gaining enough experience, you can become a certified Broadcast Technician by taking the certification exam offered by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. Passing the exam will demonstrate your knowledge and skill level.
In order to become a skilled and competent broadcast technician, it is important to acquire the necessary education, training, and experience. Education can be obtained through a variety of routes such as a certificate program, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in a related field. Training must be completed in order to learn the necessary skills to operate equipment and use software applications.
Experience can be gained by working as an intern or apprentice in a broadcast studio or television station. Once these core aspects are in place, a broadcast technician must continually update their knowledge and hone their skills to stay competitive in the industry. Having expertise in a variety of camera types, audio recording, and video editing technologies can also be beneficial.
possessing the ability to troubleshoot technical issues quickly and efficiently is essential for success.
You may want to check Sports News Reporter, Multi-Media News Reporter, and News Graphic Designer for alternative.
Job Description
- Operate and maintain broadcast equipment, such as cameras, microphones, and consoles.
- Set up and adjust audio/video equipment for news production.
- Monitor broadcast signals for quality control.
- Maintain technical knowledge of broadcast equipment and systems.
- Troubleshoot technical issues with broadcast equipment.
- Ensure that audio and video signals meet broadcast standards.
- Maintain a library of videos and other media files.
- Develop and implement graphics and special effects for news broadcasts.
- Monitor newsroom activity to ensure efficient workflow.
- Assist in the set up and break down of mobile broadcast units.
Skills and Competencies to Have
- Knowledge of audio and video production, editing, and broadcasting equipment
- Understanding of studio and remote broadcast technologies
- Proficiency with computers and related software applications
- Ability to troubleshoot technical problems
- Familiarity with broadcast standards, regulations, and compliance requirements
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to operate a multi-camera system
Being a successful Broadcast Technician requires a unique combination of technical knowledge, creative problem solving and communication skills. Technical knowledge includes an understanding of the hardware and software used to create broadcast programs and the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment. Creative problem solving is necessary to come up with solutions for technical issues in the production process.
Communication skills are essential for interacting with other crew members and conveying instructions clearly. Furthermore, attention to detail is necessary when setting up and operating audio, video and lighting equipment, as even the smallest mistake can have a big impact on the end product. All these skills combined result in a successful Broadcast Technician who can produce high-quality content and keep the production running smoothly.
News Traffic Coordinator, Specialty News Reporter, and Online News Editor are related jobs you may like.
Frequent Interview Questions
- What experience do you have as a news broadcast technician?
- How would you go about troubleshooting a complex technical issue with a news broadcast system?
- What challenges have you faced in your past roles as a news broadcast technician?
- How would you maintain the accuracy and quality of news broadcasts?
- Do you have experience working with digital news broadcast systems?
- How do you stay up-to-date with emerging technologies in the news broadcast industry?
- How do you ensure that news broadcasts meet safety and regulatory requirements?
- What strategies do you use to test and evaluate new news broadcast technologies?
- How do you handle tight deadlines and competing priorities as a news broadcast technician?
- Describe your approach to resolving conflicts between stakeholders in the news broadcast production process.
Common Tools in Industry
- Video Switcher. Allows for the selection and combination of different video signals for broadcast. (eg: Blackmagic Atem Television Studio Pro)
- Audio Mixer. Used to adjust and combine the levels of multiple audio sources for broadcast. (eg: Midas M32C Mixer)
- Character Generator. Generates text and graphics for news broadcasts. (eg: Chyron Lyric Pro)
- Video Server. Stores and plays back pre-recorded video files for broadcast. (eg: EVS XT-VIA Video Server)
- Teleprompter. Automatically scrolls text for news anchors. (eg: Autoscript WinPlus-IP)
- Lighting Equipment. Adjusts lighting levels and color temperature of the studio. (eg: Kino Flo Lighting System)
- Camera Equipment. Captures images for broadcast. (eg: Panasonic AJ-PX800G Camera)
- Editing Software. Used to edit video clips for broadcast. (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
- Multiview Monitor. Displays multiple images on one display. (eg: Panasonic BT-3DL2550 Multiview Monitor)
- Communications Equipment. Allows for communication between the news broadcast technicians, producers, and other personnel during broadcast. (eg: Clear-Com Intercom System)
Professional Organizations to Know
- National Association of Broadcasters
- Society of Broadcast Engineers
- Audio Engineering Society
- International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers
- Association of International Broadcasting
- Association of Public Television Stations
- National Cable & Telecommunications Association
- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
- Radio and Television Digital News Association
- The Alliance for Community Media
We also have News Correspondent, Investigative News Reporter, and Social Media News Producer jobs reports.
Common Important Terms
- Teleprompter. A device used in television studios that displays text for a news presenter to read from during a broadcast.
- Video Switcher. A device used to select, route, and switch between multiple video sources in a broadcast.
- Audio Mixer. A device used to combine multiple audio sources together into a single signal, and to adjust the balance between them.
- Camera Operator. A technician who operates cameras and related equipment to capture video for a broadcast.
- Lighting Technician. A technician who sets up and adjusts lighting equipment for a broadcast.
- Post-Production Technician. A technician who edits and processes audio and video content after it has been recorded.
- Broadcast Engineer. A technician who maintains and repairs broadcast equipment.
- Digital Playout System. A system used to control the broadcasting of digital media over a network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a News Broadcast Technician?
A News Broadcast Technician is a professional responsible for the technical aspects of producing news broadcasts, such as audio and video engineering, operating cameras and other equipment.
What skills are required to be a News Broadcast Technician?
News Broadcast Technicians need to be skilled in audio and video engineering, operating cameras, audio consoles, and other broadcast equipment, as well as troubleshooting and problem solving.
What type of education is required to become a News Broadcast Technician?
Most News Broadcast Technicians have at least an associate's degree in broadcasting, or a related field, such as audio engineering or electronic media production.
What kind of salary can a News Broadcast Technician expect to earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for News Broadcast Technicians is $43,110.
What type of environment do News Broadcast Technicians typically work in?
News Broadcast Technicians typically work in a newsroom environment where they are responsible for helping to produce news broadcasts. They work closely with reporters, producers, editors, and other broadcast professionals.
What are jobs related with News Broadcast Technician?
- TV News Producer
- International News Reporter
- News Copy Editor
- News Broadcast Engineer
- News Researcher
- News Assignment Desk Coordinator
- Executive News Producer
- News Programmer
- News Analyst
- News Technical Director
Web Resources
- Example Career: Broadcast Technicians - West Virginia University www.wvu.edu
- Media Broadcast Technician—Job Standard | Human Resource … www.uvm.edu
- Broadcasting and Production Technology - Forsyth Tech www.forsythtech.edu