Television news work has long been a rewarding and potentially lucrative career choice for those lucky enough to land positions. However, like the rest of the media, the TV news field is undergoing rapid changes. This week, the New York Times profiled several veteran TV news anchors who are well-established in their respective areas. However, this has not been enough to spare many of them from the layoffs and job losses that hammered their rivals in the newspaper business for years now. "I don't think we're going to see the anchor people grow old with the audience anymore," 36-year TV veteran Ernie Bjorkman told the Times after learning of his own pending layoff. Much of the change in the television industry is due to mergers and falling advertising revenues that were once able to sustain high salaries for local TV talent. Now, only the largest and most lucrative markets can generally sustain high salaries for television talent. The way younger consumers get their news, from many different online sources, has also dampened demand for traditional newscasts. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects a similar outlook toward the industry. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that demand for news professionals in all mediums was expected to remain stagnant between now and 2016, with smaller media outlets providing the best opportunities for newcomers.  |