How to Become a Broadcast Technician: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Salary, Scope

What Does a Broadcast Technician Do?

Broadcast technicians are involved in setting up, maintaining, supervising and repairing sound, audio and video equipment in radio and television broadcasts. They control the audio equipment to regulate the quality and volume of sound during television broadcasts. 

Their main function is to monitor, operate and adjust the video, lighting and audio. They work indoors with wirings and equipment as well as outdoors during events and concerts. Broadcast technicians also work with engineers to test new systems. By carrying out all these, they on the whole try to make sure that the television and radio programs reach the viewers and listeners perfectly.

Steps to Become a Broadcast Technician

One needs to follow the given steps to become a broadcast technician:

• Step 1: Firstly, aspirants need to know that they need to have a certain educational background to pursue a career. Then, you can make the choice accordingly.
• Step 2: To opt for the course, the candidates must have passed class 12th from a recognised board with 50% aggregate marks in subjects of Chemistry, Physics and Maths. For admissions, candidates must write one of the few accepted entrance exams like JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and COMED-K. 
• Step 3: You also have to choose a good college that will help you with placements and training. The college must also have good facilities and the latest equipment to maximum experience and exposure. 
• Step 4: You should find an apprenticeship that will help you gain starting experience in the field. There are several broadcasting firms and organisations offering apprenticeships. This way candidates can acquire hands-on training with the latest equipment used in the industry.
• Step 5: By gaining more and more experience and training, you can move to larger, more lucrative markets. Experienced technicians can also get supervisory positions with companies.

Types of Broadcast Technicians

Given below are the types of job roles for broadcast technicians:

• Broadcast Design Engineer: Design engineers generally work on systems and products that involve using complex scientific techniques. They develop conceptual designs to ensure that a product functions and performs according to the requirements.
• Broadcast IT Systems Engineer: A systems engineer looks into discovering the real problems that need to be resolved and also identifying the highest impact failures that could occur. They try to find solutions to such problems.
• Remote Broadcast Engineer: Remote broadcast engineers work primarily in radio and television and are responsible for the maintenance and installation of broadcasting equipment.
• Broadcast Network Engineer: The responsibility of a network engineer includes the maintenance of computer infrastructure from the local area to a wide area network. Some of the key areas of focus include installing new hardware, enforcing licensing agreements, on-site servers etc.
• Broadcast Maintenance Engineer: The profession involves the application of engineering concepts for the up-gradation of equipment and departmental budget to achieve better reliability.
• Video Broadcast Engineer: Video broadcast engineers are involved in the maintenance and installation of video equipment at a location. They also work on replacing burned-out circuit boards and upgrading the software.

How to Become a Broadcast Technician in India?

The career to become a broadcast technician may begin soon after class 10th. It may be possible to start a career as a Broadcast technician with a high school diploma itself. 

School-level preparation

• To pursue a career as a broadcast engineer, a minimum of a high school diploma is required. Students can also go for diploma courses in broadcast engineering after which they will be eligible for pursuing bachelors in the field.
• At the school level, candidates need to take up Science after class 10th with more emphasis on Physics.
• A focus on English after class 10th might also help the students in the future.
• To become a broadcast engineer, one must possess a qualification in the same. Candidates can start preparing for it at their school level.

How to Become a Broadcast Technician after 12th?

Given below are the tips to prepare yourself at UG or PG level to become a broadcast technician:

UG level preparation

• To become a broadcast engineer, you must have knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office and Excel as well as Adobe After Effects among many others. 
• Practising and learning about the applications are crucial and candidates can master them while studying they’re under graduation. 
• Candidates should master the workings of the technical equipment and more. 
• During their under graduation, candidates can also work on their interpersonal skills and CV training and more.
• Candidates can also work on their portfolio and their work with placements or internships. 

PG level preparation

• Admission to master's programs is usually based on common entrance tests as well as the merit-based selection which is the marks obtained at the UG level.
• Broadcast engineers need to have more than 1-3 years of work experience so working on that during the pg program can be a good way to kickstart your career.
• The pg level is a great time for candidates to network and makes new connections.
• Candidates can also work in great companies as part of the placements and get industry experience.

Courses to Becoming Broadcast Technician in India

To become a Broadcast technician, candidates must be well trained and experienced. Given below are few courses that will help with your career.

BE in Electrical Engineering

BE in Electronics Engineering is a three-year undergraduate program divided over six semesters. Bachelor of Electrical Engineering deals with electronics, electro-magnetic, thermal power plants, electric energy systems, hydro-electric plant models, and more. The average fees for the course may vary from INR 50,000 to INR 2 LPA.

Admission Process

The admission is based on merit as well as entrance exams. If selected, candidates may have to attend counselling, personal interview or group discussions, as per the requirements of the college. 

Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for the course, candidates need to have at least 45% aggregate marks in 10+2 in the science stream from a recognised board.

BE in Telecommunication Engineering

BE in Telecommunications Engineering is a 4 years undergraduate program that involves the study of telecommunications systems like wireless technology, air traffic, satellites, and more. The average annual fees range from INR 2-5 Lakhs.

Admission Process

Admission to the course is based on both merit and entrance exam. Candidates may also be called for interviews or group discussions.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the course, candidates need to have at least 50% in 10+2 with PCMB/PCB as subjects.

Bachelor's in Information Technology

Bachelor's in Information Technology is a 3-year undergraduate program that involves the study of storing, processing, and managing information. The average fees for the course may range from Rs 90,000-4.3 Lakh.

Admission Process 

Admission to the course is based on either a national level entrance exam or a college entrance exam conducted by different universities.

Eligibility Criteria 

The eligibility for the course is 10+2 with at least 50% and with science subjects.

PG Diploma in Broadcast Technology

PG Diploma in Broadcast Technology is 1-year full-time program. The course fee is around INR 75,000. The course deal with the technical infrastructure that is required for media production and transmission.

Admission Process

The admission is based on the merit of the qualifying exam and entrance exam conducted by the university.

Eligibility Criteria

• The minimum eligibility required for the course is a bachelor's degree (10+2+3) or equivalent in Physics/Electronics/Computer Science/IT/BCA or Engineering with at least 50% marks in aggregate. 
• The candidate must have studied Physics and Maths at Sr. Secondary (10 + 2) level.

Entrance Exam

Entrance Exams that are accepted are the JMI entrance exam and more, which are conducted directly by the college/university. 

Bachelor's in Computer Engineering

BE Computer Engineering is a 4-year undergraduate program that teaches the student every aspect of computer engineering. The course fee may range from INR 50,000 to 30 Lakh.

Admission Process

The admission is based on the merit of the qualifying exam and entrance exams. 

Eligibility Criteria 

The minimum eligibility required for the course is 10+2 with PCM and English.

Entrance Exam

Accepted entrance exams are JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. The dates for the entrance exams are the same as mentioned in the above table.

MTech Electrical Engineering

MTech in Electrical Engineering is a two-year full-time program that involves an advanced study of electronics, computers and communications. The average fees for the course may range from INR 20,000- 5 Lakhs.

Admission Process

Candidates are selected based on the merit of their qualifying exam and entrance exam. 

Eligibility Criteria 

The minimum eligibility required for the course is BE/BTech. or equivalent in Electrical Engineering with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.

How to become Broadcast Technician Abroad

According to the predictions made by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, broadcast engineers do not possess a promising job outlook. The employment rate is expected to decline by 3% between the years 2016 and 2026.

Some of the countries where you can study electronic engineering to pursue a career as a broadcast technician are as follows-

UK

• Students need to have a class 12th certificate from CBSE/CISC or any recognised board.
• Students who do not have English as the official language need to submit IELTS, PTE or TOEFL scores.
• To study in the UK, you must hold a valid visa which entitles you to study there.

Top Colleges

Australia

• An IELTS band of at least 6.0 is required to get admission to the course.
• The candidates must have 75% marks from the All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) and 80% marks from other Indian State Boards.

Top Colleges

Canada

• An IELTS band of at least 6.0 is required to get admission to the course.
• Candidates must have all India Senior School Certificate (awarded by CBSE) or Indian School Certificate (awarded by CISCE).

Top Colleges

USA

• Candidates applying for colleges in the USA must have a valid GRE or GPA. 
• Candidates must also have a valid TOEFL or IELTS band of 6.0 for admissions to most colleges. 
• Candidates must also have a minimum score for their 12th standard. 

Top Colleges

Benefits of a Career as a Broadcast Technician

• Reason 1: Those pursuing a career in the broadcasting field also get to be a part of the radio, television and movie industries.
• Reason 2: Broadcast engineers get to work with a variety of people from different locales and events. Therefore, it can be very interesting to interact with different kinds of people.
• Reason 3: Broadcast technicians also have the facility of obtaining diverse training and educational opportunities with vocational schools and employers.
• Reason 4: The field provides a suitable and supportive environment for the workers. It is the most appropriate field for the ones looking for practical work with normal working hours.

Skills Required for Broadcast Technicians

The following skills are required to pursue a career as a broadcast technician, 

Salary of a Broadcast Technician in India

The salary of a broadcast technician is based upon experience and hierarchy.

Average Annual Salary

Specialisation-wise Salary

Gender-wise Salary

Experience-wise Salary