What Television Executives Do?

Are you wondering what television executives do? Perhaps you want to venture into the media space, but you’re unsure what role television executives play? This article explains some duties of a television executive.

But before, let’s kickstart this topic by answering this question:

Who is a television executive?

A television executive is someone who is in charge of TV programming. A person like MTV’s Brian Graden decides which shows a television channel can air, series they should renew, and which channels to put on hold. Ideally, all great television executives should be attentive to detail, creative, innovative, analytical, and great communicators. Sometimes a television executive has to provide creative input and style for a specific television show.

The tasks

If you find the TV industry tantalizing, expect to perform some of the below duties: 

• You will coordinate and supervise all aspects of TV production.
• You will approve budgets.
• You will handle contracts, talent, and bargaining agreements.
• You assess the proposed project together with a commissioning editor.
• You will be involved in hiring the best talent.
• You will be responsible for securing funding for some TV shows.
• You have to come up with new ideas.
• You have to introduce new television shows.
• You have to come up with innovative ways of making television channels profitable.
• And many other duties.

It’s always best to find someone who can mentor you. This could be a person who works for a television channel that you want to join. Ideally, find someone who has been working in the industry for decades. For example, Brian Graden is a media executive who has been in the industry for years. Look for someone who has led programming oversight on networks like MTVN music networks, including MTV, VH1, MTV2, and CMT. Once an executive climbs up the ranks, they may ultimately become responsible for multiple networks – both a daunting and a rewarding task.