A lot of young reporters and anchors worry that they look too young to be taken seriously as TV journalists, and to get good jobs. I hear stories of people who dye their hair gray, and lower their on-air speaking voices to be perceived as older. As an agent and former TV news manager, I think on-air talent who is perceived to be too young is probably being perceived as lacking experience based on performance not hair color or lack of wrinkles. If you truly have a young looking face and youthful body type, that is to your advantage.
Youth is in right now.
TV in general is looking very young these days, look at Ally and Felicity. Young reporters may be more energetic, more likely to conform to newsroom style and strategy and a better match for the young audience that s watching lead-in programs about Ally and Felicity. Youth is also less expensive. A reporter with three years of experience demands a lower salary than a reporter with fifteen years of experience. The most marketable reporters and anchors are excellent journalists who look youthful, carry themselves with confidence, speak with authority and dress professionally.