The primary role of a television producer is to control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking. It is often the producer who is responsible for the show's overall quality and survivability, though the roles depend on the particular show or organization.
Some producers take more of an executive role, in that they conceive new programs and pitch them to the networks, but upon acceptance they focus on business matters, such as budgets and contracts. Other producers are more involved with the day-to-day workings, participating in activities such as screenwriting, set design, casting, and even directing.
Different types of producers in the industry today include (in order of seniority):
Executive producer (usually at least one but not necessarily every executive producer is in charge of production, or the show runner)
Co-executive producer (second in seniority to executive producer)
Supervising producer (supervises other producers)
Coordinating producer (coordinates two or more producers)
Producer (see Writer as "Producer" below)
Co-producer (works with other producers)
Consulting producer (assists writers, sometimes specializing in a particular subject)
Associate producer (runs day-to-day operations)
Segment producer (handles one segment of a program)
Line producer (handles a practical aspect, rather than creative content)
Production assistant
In live or "as-live" television, an executive producer seldom has any operational control of the show. His/her job is to stand back f rom the operational aspects and judge the show as an ordinary viewer might.
In film or videotape productions, the executive producer is almost always given an opportunity to comment on a rough cut but the amount of attention paid to his/her comments is highly dependent on the overall personnel structure of the production.
Writer as "Producer"
Under the guidelines of the Writers Guild of America, script writers in television also tend to be credited as "producers," even though they may not engage in the responsibilities generally associated with that title.
On-screen, a "producer" credit for a TV series will generally be given to each member of the writing staff who made a demonstrable contribution to the final script. The actual producer of the show (in the traditional sense) is listed under the credit "Produced by."
Star as "Producer"
Sometimes the star of a successful series can have a degree of influence over the creative process. For example, besides his leading role as Jack Bauer in 24, Kiefer Sutherland was credited as producer during the show's second season, then rising to co-executive producer from seasons 3 to the last few episodes of season 5, from where he was finally promoted to executive producer of which he is still serving.
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