The future of one of British television's most prestigious events hangs in the balance as organisers confirm the Edinburgh TV Festival could relocate from its namesake city after nearly half a century.
A Strategic Review for Greater Accessibility
For almost 50 years, the Edinburgh TV Festival has been the cornerstone of the British broadcasting calendar, attracting luminaries like David Attenborough, Tina Fey, Emily Maitlis, and Rupert Murdoch to deliver keynotes. However, the event's organisers have launched a strategic review that includes potentially moving the festival to a new UK location for its 2027 edition.
Campbell Glennie, the chief executive of The TV Foundation which owns the festival, stated the review is exploring "how best to serve delegates and the wider industry amid major shifts across the TV sector." He emphasised that reviewing the location is part of a long-standing commitment to champion inclusion and action on accessibility.
The Dual Challenge: Cost and Representation
The potential move is driven by two significant pressures facing the industry. Firstly, the exorbitant cost of accommodation in Edinburgh during August presents a major barrier. The festival coincides with the Edinburgh Fringe and the International Festival, creating peak demand.
Recent studies underscore the issue. A Post Office Travel Money study found a two-night stay in a central three-star hotel averaged £399. Remarkably, the US government permits its diplomats $674 (£515) per day for lodgings in the city during summer, a higher allowance than for Monaco or the Cayman Islands.
Secondly, there is a growing imperative to diversify the voices within the television sector. The playwright James Graham used last year's flagship MacTaggart lecture to warn about the lack of working-class involvement in TV. He argued that the industry risked losing touch with viewers, describing class background as a culture that is rarely acknowledged.
Subsequent research commissioned after his speech revealed that nearly a quarter of top UK television executives attended private school, highlighting the representation gap.
What Comes Next for the Festival?
While Edinburgh is not being ruled out and can submit a bid to host the 2027 event, other UK venues are being actively solicited. Organisers have indicated that London is effectively out of the running due to similar cost and accessibility concerns.
The ultimate goal, according to Glennie, is to "broaden access, strengthen our charitable work, and ensure the festival continues to be the foremost agenda-setting event of the TV year." This potential relocation signals a pivotal moment for the UK's creative industries, as it grapples with making itself more inclusive and financially accessible to talent from all backgrounds.
