Line Producer – Primetime Programming

C-SPAN; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transportation allowance

Paid parking option

Paid leave

403(b) retirement plan matching up to

Job summary

C-SPAN in Washington, DC seeks a lead Control Room Producer for nightly primetime and special live programming. You will build rundowns, line produce, and coordinate with hosts, editors and the production team to deliver accurate, timely broadcasts.

You will shape editorial direction under deadline, write and edit on-air copy, monitor developments, manage live elements and ensure fairness and balance across coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field preferred.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in news or public affairs television with line producing and live control room exposure.
• Strong editorial decision-making and news judgment demonstrated in past roles.
• Extensive knowledge of politics, government, Congress and public affairs.
• Ability to build and manage live rundowns and make editorial decisions under deadlines.
• Strong writing and editing skills for live television.
• Ability to respond quickly to breaking news and adapt program structure accordingly.
• Excellent leadership, communication and team coordination in a fast-paced control room.

Responsibilities

• Builds, organizes and manages daily program rundowns with segments, interviews, teases, graphics and video.
• Line produces live programs, maintaining timing and pacing under time pressure.
• Collaborates with the Senior Producer, Hosts and production team to execute editorial direction and flow.
• Leads coordination of the production team during live broadcasts and communicates with Directors, Hosts and Producers.
• Responds quickly to breaking news and adjusts rundowns and elements as needed.
• Monitors events and developments and determines their incorporation into broadcasts.
• Writes and edits openers, teases, introductions and transitions for on-air copy.
• Coordinates with video, graphics and other elements to ensure air readiness.
• Works with Associate Producers and Production Assistants to meet deadlines and deliver program elements.
• Oversees viewer participation elements and coordinates with digital teams for cross-platform content.

Skills

Editorial judgment

Live control room experience

Leadership

Communication

News knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Political Science, Communications or related field

Job description

(Benefits include transportation allowance or paid parking option, paid leave and up to 10% matching for 403(b) retirement plan)

GENERAL FUNCTION:

Serves as the lead Control Room Producer for C-SPAN's live, nightly primetime programming and, on occasion, other high-profile live C-SPAN public affairs programming. Responsible for building and managing program rundowns and executing programs live on air in collaboration with the Senior Producer, Hosts and production team.

Position requires strong editorial judgment, extensive live control room experience and a deep understanding of national politics, government and public affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Builds, organizes and manages daily program rundowns, including segment placement, interviews, teases, graphics, video, viewer participation and other production elements.
• Line produces live programs, maintaining timing and pacing and making real-time editorial and production decisions in coordination with the Senior Producer.
• Works closely with the Senior Producer and Hosts to execute the editorial direction, structure, pacing and flow of each program.
• Leads coordination of the production team during live broadcasts and communicates clearly with Directors, Hosts, Producers, Associate Producers and Production Assistants in the control room and studio.
• Responds quickly to breaking news and changing editorial priorities, restructuring rundowns and coordinating new program elements as circumstances warrant.
• Monitors live events and breaking developments before and during programs and determines, in coordination with the Senior Producer, how those developments should be incorporated into the broadcasts.
• Writes and edits scripts, opens, teases, guest introductions, transitions and other broadcast copy.
• Reviews and coordinates video, graphics and other production elements to ensure they are accurate, complete and ready for air.
• Works with Associate Producers and Production Assistants to coordinate and execute program elements and ensures production deadlines are met.
• Coordinates viewer participation elements, including calls, texts and other audience interaction, as appropriate.
• Coordinates with digital and social teams to identify significant program moments and content for distribution across C-SPAN platforms.
• Helps ensure editorial accuracy and adherence to C-SPAN's standards of fairness, accuracy and balance.
• Line produces other high-profile live C-SPAN public affairs programming as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

BACKGROUND/SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Political Science, Communications or related field preferred.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in news or public affairs television, including significant line producing and live control room experience.
• Demonstrated editorial decision-making experience and strong news judgment.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in politics, government, Congress and public affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage live program rundowns and make sound editorial and production decisions under deadline.
• Strong writing and editing skills for live television.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to breaking news and changing program circumstances.
• Strong communication and leadership skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate a production team during live programming.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Hosts, Producers, Directors and editorial, production and technical teams.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple program elements simultaneously.
• Understanding of C-SPAN programming and editorial approach, including its emphasis on primary-source video, substantive interviews, viewer participation and nonpartisan presentation.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and consistently meet deadlines.
• Flexibility with hours and workdays, including evenings and weekends as required.