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Creativity / communicationCreativity / communication
Broadcasting and Entertainment Editors
Broadcasting and entertainment editors are the creative masterminds behind the scenes, shaping the narratives that captivate audiences across the UK and beyond. Their work not only entertains but also informs, influences culture, and drives societal conversations, making this role crucial in the fast-paced media landscape.
No degree needed for many routes
AI impact: medium£££ payDirect entry route
52
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a broadcasting and entertainment editors? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.
What you'd actually do
As a broadcasting and entertainment editor, you will play a pivotal role in the production of engaging content that captures the imagination of viewers. This position requires a unique blend of technical skill and creative intuition, allowing you to transform raw footage into compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Whether you are working on a gripping documentary, an exciting reality show, or a cinematic masterpiece, your editing prowess will be essential in crafting the final narrative.
In the fast-paced world of broadcasting, editors must be adept at using cutting-edge software and equipment to manipulate video and audio. You will work closely with directors and producers, ensuring that your edits align with their creative vision while also adhering to strict deadlines. This collaborative environment fosters a dynamic workflow where ideas can flourish, and your contributions can significantly impact the final product.
- Creativity and Innovation: As an editor, you will have the opportunity to explore your creative instincts, experimenting with different editing techniques and styles to enhance storytelling.
- Attention to Detail: Precision is key in this role; you will need to meticulously review every frame to ensure quality and coherence in the final output.
- Technical Expertise: Proficiency in editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Avid Media Composer is essential to effectively execute your vision.
- Problem Solving: Challenges may arise during the editing process, and your ability to think on your feet and find solutions will be invaluable.
- Continuous Learning: The media landscape is ever-evolving, and staying abreast of new technologies and trends will help you remain competitive in the industry.
While the role can be demanding, the rewards are equally significant. Editors often find immense satisfaction in seeing their work come to life on screen, knowing they have played a crucial role in shaping the stories that entertain and inform the public. Additionally, the collaborative nature of the job fosters a strong sense of community among creative professionals, making it a fulfilling career choice for those passionate about media and storytelling.
1Review and select footage for television programs, films, or online content.
2Collaborate with producers and directors to understand the vision and tone of the project.
3Edit video and audio content using advanced editing software to create a polished final product.
4Ensure that all content adheres to legal and ethical standards, including copyright laws.
5Manage timelines and deadlines to ensure projects are completed on schedule.
6Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve the editing process.
7Stay updated on industry trends and technology to enhance editing techniques.
8Participate in team meetings to brainstorm creative ideas and strategies for upcoming projects.
Career progression & pay
01
Getting in
Junior Editor
£25,000 - £35,000
A degree in media studies, film production, or a related field; proficiency in editing software.
As a Junior Editor, you will assist in the editing process, learning the ropes of video production and gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.
02
Building up
Mid-Level Editor
£40,000 - £55,000
Experience in editing with a strong portfolio; advanced skills in editing software; ability to work independently.
In this role, you will take on more responsibility, managing projects from start to finish and collaborating closely with creative teams to deliver high-quality content.
03
At the top
Senior Editor
£70,000+
Extensive experience in broadcasting and entertainment editing; leadership skills; a proven track record of successful projects.
As a Senior Editor, you will lead editing teams, mentor junior staff, and oversee the creative direction of major projects, ensuring they meet both artistic and commercial goals.
Degrees that lead here via Communications and Media
Acting and Film & Visual Culture
Liverpool Hope University
Acting and Film & Visual Culture (With Foundation Year)
Liverpool Hope University
Acting and Media & Communication
Liverpool Hope University
Acting and Media & Communication (With Foundation Year)
Liverpool Hope University
Acting and Performance
Sheffield Hallam University
Acting for Screen
Central Film School London Ltd
Apprenticeships that lead here
No apprenticeship standard maps directly yet - the university or college route is the main way in.
Who hires - top UK employers
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is the world's oldest national broadcasting organisation and one of the largest media organisations in the world.
ITV
ITV is a British free-to-air television network, known for its diverse range of programming and commitment to quality content.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a publicly owned, commercially funded broadcaster, known for its innovative programming and commitment to diversity.
AI & the future of this job
Broadcasting and entertainment editors sit in a genuinely interesting middle ground where AI is already reshaping the workflow without eliminating the role entirely. Tools like Adobe Sensei and AI-driven rough-cut generators are automating the grunt work of syncing, trimming, and basic assembly, which means junior editors doing entry-level tasks face real pressure. However, the editorial judgement that decides which moment lands emotionally, which cut serves the story, and how tone shifts across a 90-minute film remains stubbornly human. The role is evolving rather than disappearing, but the path in is getting harder and the skillset required is shifting fast.
Within 5 Years
Workflow disruption accelerating
Within five years, AI-assisted editing will be standard across most UK production houses, handling rough cuts, audio cleanup, colour grading suggestions, and even subtitle generation automatically. This will compress timelines and reduce the headcount needed at the junior end of post-production. Experienced editors who can supervise and refine AI output efficiently will remain in demand, but those who cannot adapt technically will find themselves squeezed out. Freelance and mid-level roles will face the sharpest competition as budgets are redirected away from labour.
Within 10 Years
Senior creative roles consolidate
By the mid-2030s, AI systems will likely handle the majority of technically routine editing across broadcast and streaming content, particularly for high-volume formats like reality TV, news packages, and social media clips. The editor role will shift closer to a creative director function, with humans overseeing AI-generated assemblies and making high-level narrative and tonal decisions. This means fewer total positions but more meaningful, better-paid work for those who remain. Editors who have built strong relationships with directors, a distinctive creative voice, and genuine storytelling instinct will be largely insulated.
Within 20 Years
Redefined creative leadership role
The 20-year picture is genuinely uncertain but points toward a profession where the technical act of editing has been almost entirely automated for standard content, while complex, prestige, or culturally significant projects still require human creative leadership. New formats we cannot yet predict, including immersive, interactive, and AI-collaborative content, will create demand for editors who understand both narrative craft and how to work with generative systems. The overall number of people carrying the title of editor will likely be smaller, but the role will carry more creative authority. Those entering the field today need to think of themselves as future creative leads, not just technically skilled operators.
How to stay ahead
Master AI editing tools before graduation
Get hands-on with tools like Adobe Premiere's AI features, DaVinci Resolve's AI colour grading, and emerging AI assembly tools used in professional post-production. Employers will increasingly expect new hires to accelerate output using these tools rather than learn them on the job. Being ahead of the curve technically is one of the clearest ways to stay competitive in a contracting junior market.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates narrative judgement
AI can cut footage together, but it cannot yet make the editorial decisions that give a story its emotional architecture. Focus your university projects on demonstrating why you made specific choices, not just that you can operate software. A showreel accompanied by a brief editorial rationale will stand out to senior producers who are increasingly worried about losing human storytelling instinct.
Specialise in a content area AI handles poorly
Live events, documentary work, investigative journalism, and culturally nuanced content all require contextual understanding that AI systems currently lack. Developing deep expertise in one of these areas, whether that is sports broadcasting, documentary post-production, or music video editing, gives you a defensible niche. Specialism signals value in a way that generalist editing skills increasingly do not.
Pursue the production pipeline, not just editing
Editors who understand the full production process, from pre-production planning through to distribution, are far more valuable than those who only know post-production. Use university to gain experience in producing, directing, and even development so that you understand how editorial decisions connect to commercial and creative objectives. This broader knowledge positions you for creative leadership roles that AI is nowhere near replicating.
How to get in - your routes
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