The Edinburgh Television Festival could be about to relocate after 50 years in the capital of Scotland.
Organizers of the biggest British TV gathering have launched a bidding process, Deadline understands, with UK cities invited to apply to host the fest from 2027. Edinburgh will be allowed to reapply and could remain host city, but London is barred due to the fest’s commitment to the nations and regions of Britain.
We understand that the decision came following feedback after this year’s event amid a review into 50 years of the fest, which started in 1976.
Along with major shifts in the sector, affordability appears a key factor. Accomodation costs in Edinburgh are hugely expensive in August due to the Edinburgh Fringe, which takes place simultaneous to the TV Festival.
Cities from around the UK will now be able to apply and the process will begin.
The Edinburgh TV Fest gathers the great and good of the UK TV industry but anecdotally we have been told more and more over the past few years that it is becoming harder for TV execs, freelancers and staffers to afford to make the trip. The Festival is wholly owned by a not-for-profit charity, The TV Foundation, and is governed by its own board of directors. An Edinburgh Film Festival runs in the days beforehand.
Last year, the fest was addressed by the likes of Tina Fey and Shonda Rhimes, while former BBC News chief James Harding delivered the annual MacTaggart lecture. It was put together following a major overhaul that saw its advisory board scrapped in favor of a series of open hall town meetings with industry across the UK attended by last year’s chair Jane Tranter and creative director Rowan Woods.