TV, radio beckon
Manish Kumar Singal

As television and radio channels are adding up day by day, a new area of employment has come up , providing not only job satisfaction but also glamour and money. The television and radio industry has touched new heights with the coming into being of many channels.

The Community TV market is largely unorganised in India. If we go by figures, there are more than 2.8 crore TV viewers in metros. With rise in the number of suburbs’ rising, the programme contents for these viewers would also rise and these would be more specialised and focused.

Although the industry might be unorganised, the TV channels have crossed the number of 165 in the country, which is a clear indication that there is scope in this industry. Moreover, as many as 30 television channels are awaiting clearance from the Centre.

The main targeted audience for television are the non-working sections of the society i.e. housewives, children and senior citizens are a number of news channels also that give job opportunities.

The television industry is getting more popular people prefer to see TV serials and movies on their television sets rather then going to cinema houses.

News channels have also tremendously raised the job potential, for the motivated people.

The jobs available in television industry are those of TV anchors, presenters, producers, directors, editors, cinematographers, assistants, assistant editor etc. The remuneration for all these technical staff varies from person to person and also the job description.

A cinematographer posted in a leading news channel is getting Rs 75,000 per month just in a span of five years or so. The starting emoluments as a cinematographer are around Rs 10,000 per month depending upon the skills of the person. In the beginning, a producer and director may expect Rs 15,000 per month or so. Later, sky is the limit for the talented people. There are some examples where a director and producer of a popular television serial are getting Rs 2 lakh per month.

In the radio industry also, job opportunities are rising tremendously. Presently there are around 60 FM channels on air and figures suggest that there would be more than 300 radio channels within next two years. They would all need more staff including radio jockey, radio managers, station masters, radio station technicians and more.

A person who has the skill to attract the audience just with his/her voice is suitable for radio. In this profession, the audience can listen to you but can- not see you. Radio anchors are now most-needed professionals and companies are offering good salaries to them.

According to Dr Reena Ramchandran, DG-FICT, "There is a big scope in the television industry not only for actors but also for others. Elaborating on community television, she says the concept is sure to gain ground in India especially the metros wherein suburbs are emerging as commercial and leisure hotspots and have a lot of local news and issues to be aired.

Sandeep Marwah, of the Asia Academy of Films and Television said, "There are a number of institutes offering specialised courses for the new generation. These courses certainly help in grooming personality as well as basic traits of the profession. But an important aspect to be taken case of is the reputation of the institute so as to get best training at the right place."