TV Producers: Status, Roles, and the Development of Essential Skills in Digital Creative Age

Abstract

This research article aims to study media work of TV producers and content creators which needs to adjust to the changing technology in digital convergent era. Digital convergence plays an important role as a ‘disruptive technology’ and brings a significant change upon the television industry. It has an effect on the producers’ roles, essential skills and production techniques in creating content within the digital environment. Conducting with mixed method, the research finding shows that TV producers and content creators in digital convergence age need to acquire ‘multi-skills’ and able to work across ‘multi-platform’. Moreover, they need to prepare to work in new business model such as self-employment. In this way, TV producers need to develop their ‘T-shaped skills’ in order to form their unique profiles. Essential skills for TV producers are creative and technical skills, technological skills, business skills, team working and management skills. In terms of developing those skills, TV producers and content creators are aware of the need for skill development. However, Thailand lacks of institute, policy and strategy in the development of skills for TV producers. The research suggests that Thai TV producers and content creators are confident in the country’s potential. In order to succeed under creative industry and Thailand 4.0 policy, there’s the need to support Thai television industry by utilizing innovative technology to elevate content creation to meet with international standard.