Greater Manchester Wins Landmark Bid to Host The TV Festival from 2027

The TV Festival has been held in Edinburgh since 1976, and this announcement marks the first time in its history that the event will move to a new host city. 

Greater Manchester’s successful bid will see the festival held in locations around the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district in August 2027. The bid followed a comprehensive process which included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership and long-term growth potential.  

The TV Festival is one the of the world’s leading events for creative professionals, bringing together delegates from leading production companies such as the BBC, ITV, Sky, Netflix, Disney, alongside independent producers, to explore the future of television. 

The move to Greater Manchester from next year aims to make the festival more affordable for young creatives and freelancers, while also drawing on the region’s growing creative, production and tech sector, which includes major production companies behind some of the UK’s most recognisable television programming. 

The Festival is expected also to bring with it a significant economic boost to the region - with the creative industries, other local businesses, and the hospitality sector all set to benefit - both from the Festival itself and from the wider opportunities and partnerships that evolve from it. 

Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said: “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 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.” 

Part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the decision, taken by the Festival’s board of directors, follows an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process which was launched in 2025.  

The review was undertaken to examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability and sustainability across the television industry and in response to the growing challenges of rising costs for both organisers and attendees. 

Campbell Glennie, CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation, said: “Greater Manchester presented a vision for the 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 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.” 

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 Festival - 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." 

Greater Manchester's winning bid to host the TV Festival was led by Cameron Roach founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, and creative industries producer Beth Hewitt, in collaboration with the city council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Marketing Manchester, Manchester Accommodation Bid and TV Industry partners and others across Greater Manchester. 

The successful bid to bring The TV Festival to Greater Manchester was supported by the Manchester Accommodation BID, who provided funding via the City Visitor Charge levy.  

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. 

We look forward to playing a key role in welcoming the global media industry to Manchester and ensuring every visitor experiences the energy, professionalism and warmth that define the city.”  

The TV Festival is organised by The TV Foundation, the charity dedicated to supporting access, inclusion and talent development across the UK television industry. 

The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.