The UK's most prestigious television industry event will leave Edinburgh after 50 years and make its new home at St John's...
One of the most influential events in the television industry is moving to Manchester.
The TV Festival, largely known as the Edinburgh TV Festival, and widely regarded as the UK’s premier gathering for television professionals, will relocate to Greater Manchester from 2027, bringing an end to a 50-year run in the Scottish capital.
Following a competitive national bidding process, Greater Manchester has been selected as the festival’s new home, with events set to take place across the St John’s district and surrounding venues including Versa Studios, the ABC Buildings, Campfield and Aviva Studios. The move marks the first time in the festival’s history that it has been held outside Edinburgh.
Founded in 1976, the festival attracts more than 2,000 delegates each year from across the television industry, including executives, commissioners, producers, broadcasters and on-screen talent. It has long been regarded as the most important event in the UK TV calendar, hosting major industry announcements, debates and networking opportunities.
Recent editions have welcomed some of the biggest names in television, including Emily Maitlis, Tina Fey, Charlie Brooker, Louis Theroux, Michaela Coel, David Attenborough and Steve Coogan, while the annual MacTaggart Lecture remains one of the industry’s most closely watched speeches.
The decision follows a strategic review launched in 2025 to address growing concerns around affordability, accessibility and sustainability for both organisers and delegates. Organisers said Manchester’s bid stood out for its combination of creative ambition, infrastructure and lower costs.
Campbell Glennie, CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation, said: “Greater Manchester presented a vision for the TV Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates. This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the TV Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance; it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
The arrival of the festival is another major vote of confidence in Greater Manchester’s screen sector, which has grown rapidly around MediaCity and the city centre, with major productions now regularly being made across the region.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Deputy Mayor for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, Greater Manchester, said: “Being chosen to host the TV Festival is brilliant news for Greater Manchester and speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.
“With the fastest growing economy in the UK, creative industries are a key priority growth area for us. As part of this we aim to make our region home to the strongest screen industry cluster outside London by 2028 – an ambition backed by our just-launched £10.5 million Screen Production Fund to support film and TV made in Greater Manchester, using local facilities and expertise.
“As new home now also to the prestigious TV Festival, we’ll be working closely with partners to ensure we deliver not just an exceptional annual event – with our own uniquely Manchester twist – but an event that supports new collaborations and partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally, that have the growth, sustainability, and diversity of the screen industry at their heart.”
The festival’s new base will be centred around St John’s, the rapidly developing creative district built on the former Granada Studios site, which is already home to production facilities, creative businesses and cultural venues.
Mike Ingall, Chairman and CEO of Allied London, said: “With a new, modern, and unique inventory we look forward to working closely with the TV Festival to create something that will be original and unique, and that we can grow and grow for the UK, in the heart of TV land.
“We will invest in this; TV in the UK needs it and we are well placed to support with such a variety of facilities and infrastructure. TV in the regions started here; we are rebuilding.”
Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, which led the bid, added: “Greater Manchester’s selection as the next host of the TV Festival is a major moment for the region’s thriving media, screen and tech sector. The TV Festival will provide an opportunity to showcase the incredible production facilities in the region, which produce some of the world’s most recognisable television.
“Bringing the TV Festival to Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly 50 years is the result of a competitive bid process led by our team, and this fantastic outcome will create new opportunities for creative professionals, businesses, and emerging talent. It also reinforces the region’s role as a leading global hub for content creation and innovation.”
The move is also expected to provide a significant boost for Manchester’s visitor economy, hotels and hospitality sector.
Kumar Mishra, Chair of the Manchester Accommodation BID, said: “We are delighted that Greater Manchester has been selected as the new home of the TV Festival. This is a significant win for the city-region and a major boost for our accommodation providers and wider visitor economy.
“Hosting an event of this scale will showcase Manchester’s growing accommodation offer and our ability to welcome large numbers of international delegates with quality, choice and accessibility at every level. It also reinforces the strength of collaboration across our hospitality, cultural and creative sectors.”
The final Edinburgh TV Festival will take place this August, before Manchester takes over hosting duties in 2027.