Entertainment Industry

Producer Ranking in Television

Scripted television is the one place where writers have more power in Hollywood. Not quite to the extent of the respect and power of a playwright in live theater, but most shows are “run” by writers, thus, the highest-ranking producer (writer) is the Showrunner, the royalty of TV.

The Showrunner is often (but not always) the individual who created the series. They are responsible for the creative direction of the series. “Showrunner” is a function, not an official credit. The Showrunner is typically credited on screen as an “Executive Producer,” (the top dog in TV) and when appropriate, will receive the “Created by” credit on the series.

Many TV shows have multiple Executive Producers and there may be a tremendous variance in what they do and what they are paid. The writing staff is fleshed out below the (possibly fleet of) Executive Producer(s) with Co-Executive Producer, followed by Supervising Producer, Producer, Co-Producer, Story Editor and Staff Writers — though almost every one in this hierarchy is a writer. Some shows will list Consulting Producers or Executive Consultants, this can be anything the mind could conjure up.

Line producer are sometimes listed simply as Producer and the person who heads up post-production may receive an Associate Producer credit. Other shows might offer their in-house director a Producer or Executive Producer credit.

While some newsworthy stories report people breaking in at the Showrunner level, it’s far more common to spend years working your way up the creative ladder.

Producer Ranking for Television:

1. Executive Producer (the “Showrunner”)

2. Executive Producer

3. Co-Executive Producer

4. Supervising Producer

5. Producer

6. Co-Producer

7. Story Editor

8. Staff Writer

Hired jobs with “producer” or “production” in the title:

Consulting Producer

Executive Consultant

Line Producer

Associate Producer

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