Production Assistant

eMedia Investments is hiring a Production Assistant based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, to support live and recorded news broadcast operations across television and digital platforms. This role sits within the studio production department, directly contributing to the daily output of live news programmes by managing everything from autocue operation to studio readiness and production documentation. It suits a detail-oriented production professional who thrives in a newsroom environment and understands the operational rhythm of live broadcast television.

About the Role

The Production Assistant works across studio and newsroom operations, supporting the Technical Director, Studio Floor Coordinator, and editorial teams through the full broadcast cycle. On any given production day, this person is running pre-broadcast equipment checks, managing rundowns, coordinating sponsorship elements with Final Control, and keeping autocue scripts formatted and current ahead of air. It is a role built around live broadcast execution, where accuracy and timing are non-negotiable.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate autocue during live and recorded news productions, ensuring scripts are correctly formatted, updated, and displayed in line with the approved rundown.
• Conduct pre-broadcast checks of studio equipment, furniture, and visual assets, escalating any issues to the relevant technical or production personnel before air.
• Coordinate with Final Control on commercial breaks, sponsorship elements, and programme transitions throughout the broadcast schedule.
• Prepare, update, and distribute production documentation including rundowns, guest lists, and scheduling information across editorial, production, and technical teams.
• Communicate production instructions clearly to presenters, contributors, and studio floor personnel during live television broadcasts.
• Identify and report health and safety hazards, equipment handling concerns, and operational risks in accordance with organisational broadcast standards.

What You Bring

• Prior experience in a studio or newsroom production environment, with exposure to live broadcast television workflows.
• Hands-on familiarity with autocue systems and broadcast rundown software used in news production.
• Demonstrated ability to manage production administration accurately under live broadcast conditions.
• Working knowledge of studio operations, including equipment checks, floor coordination, and technical escalation procedures.
• Strong communication skills suited to coordinating across editorial, technical, and on-camera talent simultaneously.

Why This Role

eMedia Investments operates one of South Africa’s most active news broadcast networks, giving a Production Assistant in this position direct exposure to high-volume live television production on a daily basis. The scope of the role spans studio operations, live broadcast support, and production coordination, which builds a well-rounded foundation for a career in broadcast production. For someone looking to establish real credits in live news and episodic television production, this is a substantive starting point.

Apply now for the Production Assistant position at eMedia Investments and bring your broadcast production skills to one of Johannesburg’s leading television operations.