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TV News Editing Basics

Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, cutting to time, B-roll, lower-thirds, and export settings for UK TV journalists.

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TV news editing: the essentials

TV news editing is the process of assembling recorded footage, interview clips, narration, graphics, and audio into a finished broadcast package. Compared to audio editing, it adds the additional dimension of picture editing — choosing which shot to use, when to cut, and how pictures and words work together. It also involves additional technical requirements: audio levels to broadcast standard (EBU R128), graphics and lower-thirds, and specific export codecs for broadcast delivery.

For aspiring TV journalists, the most useful software to learn is Adobe Premiere Pro (widely used in independent production and regional TV), with Avid Media Composer as a secondary skill for BBC and large ITV positions. DaVinci Resolve (free) is a credible alternative for independent or freelance TV production.

The fundamental workflow is the same regardless of software: import footage, log clips with in/out points, assemble a rough cut, refine to time, add graphics, mix audio, check levels, export. Mastering this workflow in one piece of software transfers quickly to others.

Editing software comparison

Adobe Premiere Pro

Subscription (~£25/month)

Used at: Regional TV, independent production, Sky News

Best starting point for most TV journalists. Widely used, large tutorial library, integrates with After Effects for graphics.

Avid Media Composer

Subscription (~£50/month) or in-house licence

Used at: BBC News, ITV News, ITN, large broadcasters

Industry standard at the BBC. Steeper learning curve. Essential if you plan to work in-house at the BBC. Shared media on Avid NEXIS.

DaVinci Resolve

Free (Studio version ~£250 one-off)

Used at: Film production, independent TV, freelance

Free and fully professional. Cut page designed for fast news-style editing. Excellent colour grading. Growing adoption in TV.

Final Cut Pro

~£300 one-off (Mac only)

Used at: Some regional TV, online video production

Mac-only but fast and intuitive. Less common in UK broadcast newsrooms than Premiere or Avid.

Red flags in TV news editing

  • Audio levels above –1 dBTP true peak — causes clipping on broadcast transmission.
  • Incorrect lower-third spelling — always verify name and title with the interviewee directly.
  • No cutaways between interview clips — two consecutive shots of the same person from the same angle (jump cut) look amateurish.
  • Archive footage without on-screen caption — an Ofcom accuracy requirement.
  • Package running more than 5 seconds over the allocated slot — communicate immediately to the producer.
  • Exporting in the wrong codec for broadcast delivery — always check the TDR (Technical Delivery Requirements) before export.
  • Not colour-balancing footage shot in different lighting conditions — mismatched shots look unprofessional.

TV news editing checklist

  • All footage is ingested and logged with clip names, in/out points, and duration before editing begins.
  • Rough cut is assembled and reviewed against the script before fine-cutting.
  • No jump cuts — all consecutive shots of the same subject are covered by cutaways.
  • B-roll covers all sections of reporter narration (two-shot principle).
  • Archive footage is labelled with an on-screen caption.
  • Lower-thirds: name and title verified with the interviewee, spelling confirmed.
  • Audio levels: all speech tracks average –18 to –12 dB RMS; no peak above –1 dBTP.
  • Broadcast delivery: integrated loudness at –23 LUFS (EBU R128) for broadcast; –16 LUFS for online.
  • Package duration is within 5 seconds of allocated slot.
  • Export codec and wrapper match the outlet’s TDR (Technical Delivery Requirements).

Plan before you edit

Use our pitch generator to plan your package structure — including B-roll requirements and interview clip notes — before you sit down to edit.

Open Pitch Generator

Common mistakes

  • Learning one piece of software and assuming all editing knowledge transfers — each NLE has unique keyboard shortcuts and workflow conventions that must be learned separately.
  • Not setting correct sequence settings before starting a project — mismatched frame rates cause playback problems.
  • Under-shooting B-roll — editing becomes a problem when there is not enough coverage for narration.
  • Not keeping an organised bin/folder structure — disorganised media makes every edit take longer.
  • Ignoring audio in early cuts — audio mix is half the quality of a finished TV package; do not leave it to the last minute.
  • Exporting at the wrong frame rate or codec for the destination platform — always check the TDR or platform specifications before exporting.

Related guides

Writing for TV news
Package structure, PTCs, and reading to pictures.
Audio editing basics
Levels, EQ, compression, and LUFS standards.
Working with camera operators
Getting the B-roll you need for a strong edit.
Field reporting basics
Recording footage and audio that edit well.

Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

Does the BBC still use Avid Media Composer?
Yes. As of 2026, BBC News and BBC Studios continue to use Avid Media Composer as a primary editing platform, along with the Avid NEXIS shared storage system that allows multiple editors to access and edit from a common media pool simultaneously. BBC journalists working in-house will need to be familiar with the Avid interface. Regional and independent production companies increasingly use Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
Can I learn TV news editing on DaVinci Resolve?
Yes. DaVinci Resolve (the free version) is a fully professional non-linear editor used in film and TV production globally. For TV news editing specifically, it has a capable Cut page designed for fast editing workflows. However, the learning curve for Resolve is steeper than Premiere Pro for beginners, and it uses a different timeline paradigm to Avid. For most aspiring TV journalists, starting with Premiere Pro (widely used, extensive tutorials) is more practical, with Avid knowledge added before a BBC or ITV attachment.
What is a lower-third and how do I add one?
A lower-third (also called a strap or name super) is the graphic that appears in the lower portion of the screen identifying an interviewee by name and title: for example, “Jane Smith / Environment Correspondent.” In most news editing software, lower-thirds are added as text or graphics layers in the timeline, positioned over the video track containing the interviewee. For news outlets with a house style, graphics are usually provided as pre-built templates. Always confirm the correct spelling and title of the interviewee with them directly — wrong name graphics are a visible and embarrassing error.
What are the correct audio levels for broadcast TV?
UK broadcast TV audio targets (per EBU R128, which Ofcom-regulated broadcasters are required to follow): programme loudness target –23 LUFS integrated, with a permitted range of –24 to –22 LUFS; true peak maximum –1 dBTP; loudness range (LRA) target of 7 to 20 LU. This is different from podcast standards (–16 LUFS). If you are delivering to a broadcaster rather than publishing yourself, check their specific technical delivery requirements — they will be in the TDR (Technical Delivery Requirements) document.
How do I cut a TV news package to time?
Start with a rough assembly cut that includes everything: all narration, all interview clips, all B-roll. Then work to your allocated slot (e.g. 1 min 30 sec) by: shortening clips to their most essential moments; cutting narration that is informative but not essential; removing B-roll that does not add visual information; and checking the total duration at the end of every round of cuts. Use your editing software’s sequence duration indicator to track running time. Allow 5 seconds of margin under the slot for live programme flexibility.

Related guides

BroadcastWriting for TV NewsRead →BroadcastAudio Editing BasicsRead →BroadcastWorking with Camera OperatorsRead →BroadcastField Reporting BasicsRead →EthicsOfcom Broadcast Rules in PracticeRead →FreelanceGetting Started as a Freelance JournalistRead →

Primary sources