Brown began his broadcasting career with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) in Perth in 1970. He later worked as a reporter, presenter and Producer with Television New Zealand (TVNZ), as well as a current affairs Producer and presenter at the BBC. In 1994, TVNZ appointed him Managing Editor, News and Current Affairs. He was made Head of TV One in 1997. In 2001, he was appointed Head of Television on an annual salary reported to be $340,000, responsible for running both TVNZ channels. Brown held this TVNZ position for nine months before the position was eliminated by chief executive Ian Fraser. He joined SBS as Head of Television in January 2003.