Urban Grind TV Media Internship & Development Program

Learn the Business. Find Your Lane. Build Your Experience.

Urban Grind TV is a 30× award-winning media platform and the Midwest’s longest-running hip-hop television show.

Celebrating 17 years on television with more than 800 one-hour episodes produced, Urban Grind TV creates original programming across television, radio, music, sports, entertainment, culture, streaming, social media, and live events.

Our programming reaches audiences through Xfinity & Astound Cable Channel 25 in Chicago, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, YouTube, UrbanGrindTV.com, Urban Grind Radio, and digital platforms.

Selected participants may gain hands-on experience across Urban Grind TV, Urban Grind Radio, Legends in Session with Horace Grant, weekly studio productions, interviews, live performances, digital campaigns, special events, and additional original programming.

One Program. Multiple Opportunities.

You do not need to walk into Urban Grind TV already knowing exactly where you belong.

That is part of the development process.

The Urban Grind TV Media Internship & Development Program gives students and emerging media professionals an opportunity to experience different areas of a real working media operation while developing their skills and discovering where they perform best.

Our seven primary training areas are:

Television Production
Radio Production
TV Hosting & Interviewing
Social Media
Digital Marketing
Video Editing
Audio Engineering

Applicants may tell us which areas interest them most, but assignments may evolve during the program as we learn more about their abilities, personality, professionalism, interests, and potential.

Some people discover they belong in front of the camera.

Others may be stronger behind the camera, inside the radio studio, editing video, working with audio, developing digital campaigns, or creating social content.

Some participants may develop skills in more than one area.

The goal is to help you find your lane.

30-Day Internship & Development Program

The initial Urban Grind TV internship and development period is 30 days.

Because our team works together during scheduled production days and meetings each week, the 30-day period gives both Urban Grind TV and the participant time to evaluate skills, interests, professionalism, reliability, personality, growth, and overall fit.

You are not expected to know everything when you arrive.

That is why you are here.

Development may include:

Hands-on training
Observation
Supervised assignments
Production experience
Practice sessions
Feedback
Skill development
Portfolio building
Exposure to multiple areas of media production

We evaluate more than technical ability.

We also look at:

Reliability
Communication
Professionalism
Coachability
Creativity
Confidence
Personality
Work ethic
Ability to follow direction
Ability to work with a team
Comfort around guests and talent
Willingness to learn
Ability to improve

Compensation & Program Status

The initial 30-day Urban Grind TV Media Internship & Development Program is an unpaid educational and training experience.

Participation does not guarantee employment, paid assignments, a permanent position, a hosting position, or continued participation after completion of the program.

The program is designed to provide hands-on training, mentorship, supervised experience, portfolio development, and exposure to professional television, radio, digital media, and production workflows.

Outstanding participants may be considered for future paid opportunities, independent contractor assignments, extended development, hosting opportunities, production assignments, or other opportunities based on performance, qualifications, availability, and current production needs.

Train Across Multiple Productions

One of the biggest advantages of the Urban Grind TV internship program is the opportunity to experience different production environments.

Depending on current projects, participant development, availability, and production needs, interns may gain experience with:

Urban Grind TV

Television interviews, live performances, entertainment, music, culture, original programming, studio production, and digital content.

Urban Grind Radio

Radio interviews, audio production, music programming, studio workflow, syndicated content, and digital distribution.

Legends in Session with Horace Grant

Sports, entertainment, culture, long-form interviews, celebrity guests, studio production, digital content, and professional television workflows.

Participants may rotate between productions when appropriate.

A host may also learn radio.

A television production intern may discover an interest in audio.

An editor may help create social media content.

A social media intern may learn how television content is produced before it reaches Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

Understanding multiple parts of the operation makes you more valuable in media.

TV Host Development

Train. Learn. Build Your Reel. Earn Your Spot.

Urban Grind TV’s Host Development track is designed for aspiring hosts and personalities interested in television, radio, entertainment, and digital media.

We encourage applications from aspiring TV hosts, models, actors, actresses, content creators, personalities, broadcasters, and emerging media talent.

No Hosting Experience Necessary

You do not need professional television experience to apply.

We will train the right person.

We look for:

Personality
Confidence
Professionalism
Coachability
Dependability
Communication skills
Creativity
Interest in entertainment and culture
Comfort meeting new people
Willingness to learn
Potential on camera
Ability to represent Urban Grind TV professionally

Weekly Host Development Responsibilities

Host Development participants are expected to take an active role in preparing and promoting Urban Grind TV content each week.

Training and weekly assignments may include:

Researching upcoming guests
Reviewing guest bios, music, projects, and promotional materials
Preparing interview questions
Creating host cue cards and interview cards
Writing intros, outros, and segment transitions
Preparing talking points before tapings
Participating in supervised TV interviews
Participating in Urban Grind Radio when assigned
Developing on-camera presence and microphone technique
Creating social media captions and promotional copy
Helping prepare weekly episode promotions
Promoting Urban Grind TV interviews, performances, episodes, and original programming
Assisting with reels, short-form clips, and social media ideas
Organizing guest names, tags, handles, links, and promotional information
Learning how television content is promoted before and after it airs
Supporting red carpet and live event coverage when assigned
Working with producers to prepare for upcoming productions
Learning professional guest communication and studio etiquette

The goal is to develop complete media personalities, not people who simply arrive when the camera turns on.

A strong Urban Grind TV host should understand how to research the guest, prepare the interview, conduct the conversation, support the production, promote the content, and represent the brand professionally across television, radio, social media, and live events.

Participants may begin by observing, researching, writing questions, preparing cards, and assisting with promotional content before receiving additional supervised on-camera opportunities.

As skills improve, participants may receive greater responsibility based on performance, reliability, preparation, professionalism, growth, and production needs.

Television Production

Learn what happens before, during, and after the cameras roll.

Training may include:

Studio preparation
Camera support
Lighting
Interview setup
Performance setup
Production workflow
Set preparation
Guest coordination
Digital file organization
Production assistance
Working with producers and crew
Supporting live and pre-recorded productions

Previous experience is helpful, but professionalism and willingness to learn are just as important.

Radio Production

Learn the workflow behind Urban Grind Radio and other audio-based programming.

Training may include:

Studio preparation
Microphone setup
Radio interview workflow
Segment preparation
Recording sessions
Audio organization
Show preparation
Working with hosts and guests
Radio production etiquette
Digital distribution

This track is ideal for participants interested in radio, podcasts, music, audio media, and broadcasting.

Social Media

Learn how television and radio content becomes digital content people actually want to watch and share.

Training may include:

Instagram
Reels
TikTok
YouTube Shorts
Captions
Guest promotions
Episode promotions
Content calendars
Short-form clipping
Social media scheduling
Platform trends
Tags and hashtags
Basic analytics
Brand voice

Experience with tools such as Opus Clip, CapCut, Canva, ChatGPT, YouTube Studio, Instagram, and TikTok is a plus.

Digital Marketing

Learn how Urban Grind TV builds awareness and grows audiences beyond simply posting content.

Training may include:

Digital campaign planning
Audience development
Website promotion
YouTube optimization
Titles and descriptions
Basic SEO
Calls to action
Email marketing
Cross-platform promotion
Content distribution
Analytics
Brand positioning

This track is ideal for participants interested in audience growth, entertainment marketing, and digital strategy.

Video Editing

Learn how raw footage becomes television, YouTube, social media, and promotional content.

Training may include:

Interview editing
Performance footage
Short-form clips
Reels
YouTube Shorts
Promotional videos
Basic color correction
Audio cleanup
Titles and graphics
Export settings
File organization
Broadcast and digital workflows

Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or similar editing software is helpful.

Audio Engineering

Gain hands-on experience with audio for television, radio, interviews, and live performances.

Training may include:

Microphones
Audio interfaces
Studio boards
Signal flow
Gain staging
Microphone placement
Recording interviews
Recording radio
Live performance audio
Audio cleanup
EQ
Compression
Leveling
File management
Basic mixing

Experience with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Adobe Audition, Audacity, or similar software is a plus.

What You Can Gain

Depending on your selected interests, assignments, production needs, and progress, participants may gain experience in:

Broadcast Television
Radio Production
TV Hosting
Interviewing
On-Camera Development
Professional Studio Operations
Social Media
Digital Marketing
Video Editing
Audio Engineering
Live Performance Production
Event Coverage
Guest Interaction
Content Creation
Portfolio Development
Professional Reel Footage
Published or Broadcast Credits When Applicable
Entertainment Branding
Production Workflow
Industry Networking

Participants may also gain experience working around artists, athletes, entertainers, producers, executives, entrepreneurs, and media professionals.

College internship credit may be available when approved by the participant’s school.

Not every participant will receive every opportunity.

Assignments depend on production needs, availability, demonstrated ability, training progress, professionalism, and program capacity.

Internship Schedule

Location:
Forest Park, IL — Chicago Area

Initial Development Period:
30 Days

General Media Internship Schedule

Typical Commitment: Approximately 2 days per week

Tuesdays:
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Wednesdays:
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

TV Host Development Schedule

Wednesdays:
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Plus:
2 Tuesday evening team meetings per month

Host Development participants should also expect limited weekly preparation assignments outside of studio hours, including guest research, interview questions, cue cards, show preparation, and social media promotion for upcoming Urban Grind TV content.

Schedules may vary depending on productions, live events, special projects, participant assignments, and current company needs.

Some social media, editing, digital marketing, research, guest preparation, and content assignments may be completed remotely when appropriate.

What Happens After 30 Days?

Thirty days gives both Urban Grind TV and the participant an opportunity to determine whether there is a strong fit.

Completion of the program does not automatically result in employment or advancement.

Participants who demonstrate strong skills, professionalism, growth, reliability, initiative, and a positive fit with our productions may be considered for:

Continued Development
Additional Production Opportunities
Hosting Opportunities
Radio Opportunities
Digital Media Assignments
Independent Contractor Assignments
Paid Project Opportunities When Available
Other Opportunities with Urban Grind TV or Affiliated Productions

Opportunities depend on the participant’s abilities and current production needs.

There is no automatic promotion after 30 days. Additional opportunities are earned through performance, growth, reliability, and fit.

What We Look For

We do not expect every applicant to arrive with years of experience.

We do expect:

Reliability
Professionalism
Respect
Strong Communication
Coachability
Positive Attitude
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Willingness to Learn
Ability to Follow Direction
Ability to Work with a Team
Interest in Media and Entertainment
Ability to Operate in a Fast-Paced Production Environment

Talent may get attention. Reliability keeps you in the room.

Professional Expectations

Urban Grind TV operates in a professional production environment.

Participants are expected to:

Arrive on time
Communicate professionally
Follow production instructions
Follow studio rules
Respect guests, hosts, producers, contractors, crew members, and other participants
Protect confidential information
Protect unreleased content
Follow applicable safety procedures
Represent Urban Grind TV professionally in person and online
Complete required internship, confidentiality, media release, or other applicable program agreements before participating

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please provide:

Name
Contact Information
Resume
Short Bio
Instagram / Social Media
Areas of Interest
Availability
Brief explanation of why you want to train with Urban Grind TV
Portfolio, reel, videos, edits, audio samples, or examples of previous work if available
School internship requirements if seeking college credit

Which Areas Interest You?

Applicants may select more than one:

Television Production
Radio Production
TV Hosting & Interviewing
Social Media
Digital Marketing
Video Editing
Audio Engineering

You are not locked into the areas you select.

Part of the 30-day development process is discovering where you perform best.

No previous hosting experience or professional reel is required to apply for the TV Host Development track.

Top applicants may be contacted for an interview or orientation based on current program capacity and production needs.

Find Your Lane

You do not have to walk into Urban Grind TV knowing exactly where you belong.

Come ready to learn.

We’ll give selected participants opportunities to experience the operation, develop new skills, receive feedback, and discover where they can contribute.

Some people belong in front of the camera.

Some belong behind it.

Some can do both.

Train. Learn. Find Your Lane. Build Your Reel. Earn Your Spot.

Apply Below

UrbanGrindTV.com
@UrbanGrindTV