Do the names like Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, Karan Thapar and Ravish Kumar – excite you? Do you harbour dreams of seeing yourself in their positions? Then this blog is for you. TV Anchors are part of our daily life as they are the anchors of a news programs and present the channel’s news to viewers. TV anchors mostly work in the news studios; however, at times they do need to be out on the spot of the news along with a cameraman.
Media today is fast diversifying, and TV anchors are expected to do much more than they did earlier. The range of their job responsibilities include interviewing leaders and spokespersons of different organisations, in order to present a diversity of opinions on a particular issue. Their shows are mostly commentary on important socio-economic and political issues which offer a meaningful analysis of them.
TV anchoring highly glamorous and anchors enjoy status of stars and role models. Demand for trained anchors is also growing with rise in 24-hour news channels. However, it requires years of hard work and dedication and you need to start early, get experience and build a striking portfolio. Remember that TV anchors get little time for personal life and are expected to remain committed to their job 24/7.
On job responsibilities
While on the job, TV anchors have to maintain coherence in presenting the news and in doing so edits or reviews pieces, ask questions to correspondents and maintains a link between news presentations. The news clips also need to be customised so as to fit into dedicated time slots, and relevant news has to be constantly aired.
TV anchors do require certain niche skills including being up to date with current developments and having a strong network with the right people across sectors in order to bring them to the studio for meaningful discourses. Highly imperative is for them to be natural speakers with a quick wit to handle the dynamic atmosphere in a news studio. Anchors also constantly communicate with editors by means of their earpiece.
Challenges
With limited time and a host of opinionated guests speaking their minds out, it requires immense patience and leadership skills to navigate the programs smoothly. This is the reason why only the experienced reporters get to be TV anchors.
The job is very challenging and successful anchors keep highly busy schedules. They work long hours and also on holidays and are always expected to deliver breaking news instantly. Sudden travels are part and parcel of the job and also host shows that go on late into the night.
That said, anchors also need to have a good onstage presence, including good dressing style, being comfortable in front of the camera and mic, interviewing skills and having an informative air in their tones, speaking in a simple manner with appropriate voice modulations and projecting a confident face.
Reporters have to put in years of hard work, sweating on roads collecting news from diverse sources before they can get the anchor’s job in the comfort of a studio.
Bottom line is to be a successful TV anchor; one has to be an ace journalist first. get a degree in journalism or mass communication from a reputed college or university and start the journey by becoming a reporter. In India a host of colleges and universities offer degree, both undergraduate and postgraduate, courses in media studies. Diplomas are also in the offing.
Career path
Start right after plus two and opt for an undergrad program in media studies – be it a bachelor’s degree in mass communication or journalism or an undergraduate diploma.
Bachelor’s degree takes around three years. If sceptic about pursuing professional course right after class 12, go for a regular graduate degree and then go for a post-graduate diploma or a postgraduate degree in mass communication or journalism. Diplomas take less than a year while postgraduate degree is of 2 year duration.
Top colleges
- Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication – Pune
- St. Xavier’s College – Mumbai
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women – New Delhi
- Department of Media Studies, Christ University – Bangalore
- Asian College of Journalism – Chennai
- Times School of Journalism – New Delhi
- Manipal Institute of Communications – Manipal
- Madras Christian College – Chennai
- Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT)
- Center for Research in Art Of Film and Television (New Delhi)
- IAAN School of Mass Communication (New Delhi)
- National Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
- India Today
- Aaj Tak
- Radio 18 Delhi
- Krish Foundation International, Delhi
Eligibility
Most colleges hold entrance exams and have individual admission requirements. Apart from cracking the entrance tests, a good CV or profile armed with experience in mass communication/journalism-related work – is important. Published links of news articles or blogs or work experience as an intern will definitely give you an extra edge. Course fees differ from one institute to another. An undergraduate program typically costs from 30,000 to 2,00,000 INR per annum. Postgraduate programme costs range from 40,000 to 1,00,000 INR per annum. A Diploma in anchoring/broadcaster/dubbing will add value. Today, you can also opt for online courses to develop your soft skills which are highly in demand in the field of journalism.
Skills required
- Voice modulation
- Articulation
- Language, pronunciation and communication skills
- Adaptability
- Vibrancy
- Camera friendly appearance
- Smart disposition
- Good perception
- Time management
- Enthusiasm
- General knowledge of current affairs
- Sense of humour
- Spontaneity
- Composure
- Uniqueness
- Leadership
Employment Opportunities
- TV channels
- Radio stations
- Hosts in award functions/reality/ comedy/music and dance shows, etc
Certificate in anchoring, moderating, hosting from media training institutes, acting academies, drama schools etc are a good idea. Private production houses employ commentators, moderators, interviewers and script readers. Doordarshan also empanels stringers.
Recruiting Companies
- ZEE
- Star Plus
- Aaj Tak
- Sahara News
- Sony
- Sun
- BBC
- Fox News
- CNN IBN
Salary
Average salary for TV anchors in the country is nearly 3.5 lakh INR per annum. That said, pay package varies from one media house to another and also with experience. With the years and with popularity salaries can go up to 20 lakhs per annum. However, in the initial years salary would be lower.