Edinburgh has lost its annual television festival to a “more affordable” bid from Manchester, which will again raise questions about the Scottish capital’s soaring costs.
The event will be held in Edinburgh in August for the last time, ending a 50-year tradition and leaving a big hole in the Festival calendar.
It is blow to the city’s revenue and reputation, given that it attracts around 2,000 delegates and has established itself as one of the most influential gatherings in the UK TV calendar.
Last year the festival’s board of directors launched a competitive bidding process as part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future.
The review examined how the festival could grow amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability and sustainability across the television industry.
The festival team paid tribute to Edinburgh, with chair of the festival board Fatima Salaria saying: “This was never a decision about wanting to leave Edinburgh, or about diminishing the extraordinary role Scotland has played in shaping the identity of this Festival for 50 years. Edinburgh gives the Festival a powerful origin story, and we respect that deeply.
“But this decision had to balance legacy with future opportunity. The Festival now needs the right conditions, support and momentum for its next chapter; where it could have the strongest chance to grow and serve the widest part of the industry. For the board, that place was Greater Manchester.”
The Scottish Government, Screen Scotland, Edinburgh City Council and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre were all involved in trying to keep the event in the city.
Greater Manchester’s plans include holding the TV Festival in locations around the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” said Campbell Glennie, chief executive officer of the TV Festival and the TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.”
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, and deputy mayor for economy business and inclusive growth in Greater Manchester, added: “we aim to make our region home to the strongest screen industry cluster outside London by 2028 – an ambition backed by our just-launched £10.5m Screen Production Fund to support film and TV made in Greater Manchester, using local facilities and expertise.”
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