To put it simply, production forms the guts of a television show. Its intricate and multiple layers are often unseen by the average viewer, but when all of the parts come together, the final product is a streamlined television show that informs and entertains. Production encompasses writing, editing, directing, video, audio, and lighting - all of which are necessary to creating and running a successful television show. Different departments have different responsibilities, but they all have to coordinate with one another on a daily basis.
In 1936, the first television broadcast debuted in London. By 1945, there were 7,000 working television sets in the United States and nine functional stations on the air. Popular networks like NBC and ABC began to organize their operations and combine technical teams with creative ones to form the first production companies for popular television shows like "Howdy Doody" and "Meet the Press." By 1948, television production was in full swing, and seminal shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show" reigned supreme.
There are multiple routes one can take to pursue a career in television production. It's important to narrow down what department is most desirable - creative, like writing and directing, or technical, like video and sound editing - and build the experience needed to break into those fields. Anyone experienced with audio and video equipment, even if it's not related to television, are highly coveted, while aspiring writers probably will have a tougher time breaking into the business. Internships are actually abundant, but the majority of them are unpaid. Assistant positions of any kind - administrative, production, publicity - are also highly desirable as they are the perfect foot-in-the-door opportunity that's actually paid. Children's television is often the easiest subset to break into overall.
It is common knowledge that if one seeks a career in television production, he/she must head to Los Angeles or New York. Los Angeles has long dominated the television field, but a majority of shows have filmed (and are currently filming) in the Big Apple. "30 Rock," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and "Gossip Girl" are just a few of the top shows with New York credits. If moving to Los Angeles or New York isn't an option at the moment, the majority of cities and towns have at least small television stations for local news broadcasts. The jobs will be harder to come by, but they're still there for the ambitious and hardworking. But if the ultimate goal is to be on a production team for a national show, moving to Los Angeles or New York is necessary.
Many debate the value of majoring in film and television when it comes to breaking into the business. While there are several people working in the field who did not graduate college with an entertainment-related degree, it certainly won't hurt. A college degree is almost always necessary today, especially in terms of having access to internship opportunities. It is also important to realize that, with or without a degree, there is no job "beneath" someone trying to break into television production. Running errands, delivering packages to distribution warehouses, and entering data into computer systems are all the type of initial job responsibilities for someone working his/her way up the TV ladder.