Be having seemingly penurious existence, as broadcaster is now? (4,2,3)
I believe the answer is:
live on air
This clue is a double definition.
'be having seemingly penurious existence' is the first definition.
(to 'live on air' is to live in poverty)
'as broadcaster is now?' is the second definition.
(a broadcaster might be live on air)
(Other definitions for live on air that I've seen before include "Survive without eating" , "not recorded" , "Never apparently eat" .)