How to Succeed in a TV Interview: Exclusive Tips from Khalid Karaoui

A televised interview can be a stressful moment for anyone not used to being on set.
How should you prepare? What do journalists really expect? And how can you deliver clear, impactful answers on camera?
To find out, we spoke with Khalid Karaoui, journalist and economic anchor at France 24. In this interview, he shares his best practices for performing confidently on air.

Q: Khalid Karaoui, could you tell us about your background?

Khalid Karaoui: I’m a journalist, presenter, and commentator specializing in economics. For many years, I’ve worked at France 24 on the Arabic-language channel, where I host L’invité de l’économie and La semaine de l’économie.
My mission is to give the floor to experts, business leaders, and decision-makers to help the public better understand global economic developments.

Q: What do you expect from a guest during a TV interview?

On set, a journalist expects two key things:

• Added value: information or insights that go beyond what the audience already knows.

• Clarity: short, structured, and direct answers.

Television is unlike other media: time is limited often between 4 and 8 minutes, and the news moves fast. Guests must stay focused, avoid digressions, and get straight to the point.

Q: How can one best prepare for this kind of interview?

Preparation has two main aspects:

On form:
Familiarize yourself with the set environment, cameras, lighting, and pace. Choose appropriate clothing: some colors don’t look good on screen, and studio lights can be unexpectedly hot. The goal is to feel physically comfortable to focus entirely on your message.

On content:
Prepare a clear, concise message. On TV, every second matters. Short, precise answers allow the journalist to cover more ground, while long-winded replies reduce the number of topics that can be discussed.

Q: How do you recognize a successful interview?

A good interview feels like a tennis match, question, answer, follow-up, deepening.
It delivers something new: an exclusive detail, a clear explanation, or a concrete announcement.
Viewers should come away with a better understanding of the topic.

Q: Many people fear TV interviews. How can they overcome that fear?

Keep in mind that a journalist’s role is to inform, not to promote a guest. Questions are meant to clarify and bring value to the audience.

If a journalist insists on a question, it’s usually to clear up confusion. Guests should anticipate potential tough questions and prepare thoughtful answers.

A key piece of advice: watch the journalist’s work beforehand to understand their style and tailor your preparation accordingly.

Conclusion

Succeeding in a TV interview means balancing technical preparation, message clarity, and human connection.
As Khalid Karaoui reminds us, “Information must come first and the exchange must feel alive.”