TV producers take shelf-stacking jobs as rise of online viewing fuels industry crisis

Senior TV producers with decades of experience are working as high street shelf-stackers, car park attendants and in pubs as a prolonged crisis continues to sweep through the TV world.

- Michael Savage

The Guardian has spoken to dozens of experienced figures in the UK who have taken entry-level jobs as a result of a drawn-out work drought. Some said they had been forced to sell their houses or spend their life savings. Senior industry figures estimated thousands were affected.

A perfect storm of factors have combined to create what insiders describe as an industry crisis, including a post-Covid production slowdown. The industry is also at the sharp end of huge changes in viewing habits, with rising numbers watching far cheaper content on YouTube, hitting advertising revenues.

A producer with more than 20 years' experience was working in a pub. Another, with seven years' experience, was doing temporary labouring work. Other seasoned professionals were working at supermarket checkouts, as classroom assistants and tour guides. Another said he was having to sell his home and retrain owing to the lack of work.

One producer formerly on a six-figure salary who has been living off savings said: "You could fill a stadium with everyone that's been affected."

Do I carry on with it, or throw in the towel? If I do, then we have to make huge life changes. I enjoy the pub because it's such a great community. But I can tell you, to go from an editing suite in Fitzrovia to minimum wage work is crazy."

Work dried up for Ben Seale, 35, a director and producer, in 2023. "That was soul-destroying," he said. "It was probably the darkest months of my life.