LONDON – TV executive staff turnover in the global TV industry reached a 25 year high last year, with almost a third (31.3%) of the sector’s staff changing their job during the year. This compares to 29.8% in 2006 and is higher than the previous record year of 1997, when 31.1% staff turnover was recorded according to a major new research study from Informa Telecoms & Media.
The research indicates that the most developed countries experienced higher turnover rates – with North America highest at 35.3%, followed by Western Europe at 34.3%. The least developed regions of Africa and the Middle East reported the lowest rates of turnover, at 21.2% and 23.5% respectively.
“As always, there have been a wide variety of reasons for people changing jobs. The headhunting of rising stars has continued as normal. But more generally the changes seem to have been prompted by the increasing rise of digital TV. Some 60 million homes worldwide changed from analog to digital during 2007. This unprecedented level of transformation leaves the broadcast industry desperate for expertise across the business; whether it be technical skills for technology providers, or creative brilliance to help fill the increasing number of digital channels that need compelling content to outshine their competitors.”
The research found some significant differences between job categories and industry sub-sectors. The ‘elite’ category for the industry’s most senior executives had the lowest turnover rate – but at 21.3% it remained at a significant level. The ‘intermediate’ category, which includes administration staff and junior executives, recorded the highest rate of turnover – at 38%.
Amongst the business sectors, the ‘networks and channels’ category experienced the highest level of turnover, with 35.1% of staff leaving their position in 2007. The industry’s ‘technology providers’ reported the slowest rate of change – at 19.8%.
