Media researchers support producers by finding information, people and places for television or radio programmes.


Typical Salary

£16,000 – £40,000

per year

Working Hours

38–40

hours per week

Career Area

Business and related research professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you could:

  • discuss programme ideas and research needs with producers
  •  find and check information
  •  search media libraries and archives
  •  write briefs for presenters, brief scriptwriters and check copyright
  •  find studio audiences and programme contributors
  •  look for locations
  •  research and write content for websites and social media

Skills needed

  • knowledge of English language
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • persistence and determination
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body

Career progression

With experience, you could supervise a research team on larger productions.

You could also move into an assistant producer role, or get into writing or directing.