This year’s Advisory Chair, Adam Hawkins, Director, Documentary Series, Netflix UK, has worked with the Festival team to create a programme that unapologetically tackles the industry’s biggest challenges while embracing a spirit of renewal.

Across four days you’ll find the biggest industry names, exclusive interviews, practical insight and honest conversations designed to help navigate television’s changing future. Look through the full Festival Programme and make sure to download our app to build your personal agenda for 2026.

The spine of the Festival will be 10 flagship SPOTLIGHT ON… sessions, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, UKTV, 5, Sky, Netflix, Disney+ EMEA, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, and –  for the very first time – YouTube UK & Ireland. Their inclusion reflects the platform’s increasing presence in the broadcast industry, as does the fact its VP of EMEA, Pedro Pina, will deliver the JAMES MACTAGGART MEMORIAL LECTURE.

Meanwhile, THE ALTERNATIVE MACTAGGART will be delivered by broadcaster Amol Rajan as he prepares to leave BBC Radio 4’s Today for a new chapter within the creator economy.

BBC Director-General Matt Brittin has chosen the TV Festival for his first major industry address, where he’ll sit down with Kirsty Wark at a pivotal moment for the broadcaster ahead of Charter renewal.

Across the wider programme, the Festival tackles the pressures and possibilities shaping television today with sessions designed to inform, challenge and inspire.

• Ros Atkins moderates OPENING DEBATE: WHO CONTROLS THE FUTURE?, bringing together industry leaders to ask where power now sits in television.

• THE NEW PRIMETIME: INSIDE THE VISUALISED PODCAST REVOLUTION explores how broadcasters, streamers and indies are adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.

• CREATORS OR COMMISSIONERS: WHO REALLY HOLDS THE POWER? examines the evolving relationship between creative talent and commissioners.

• TRUTH UNDER PRESSURE brings together Cathy Newman, Susanna Reid and Clive Myrie to explore journalism in an age of AI, misinformation and algorithmic echo chambers.

• NOT TO BE DRAMATIC, BUT… DOES UK DRAMA NEED SAVING? asks one of the biggest questions facing British television.

Alongside industry-leading debate, the Festival also celebrates the people shaping television today. Davina McCall will receive the Festival’s Outstanding Achievement Award, Sir Gary Oldman joins the Festival for a Global Icon Interview, while Gary Lineker and Amelia Dimoldenberg headline opening day on Tuesday.

The Festival’s FRONTIERS strand explores the technologies, trends and business models reshaping the future of television.

Highlights include:

• BEYOND THE HYPE: TECH & DIGITAL, where Jen Topping, Business of TV, explores what it really takes to build audiences and sustainable businesses online.

• WHISPER IT! AI MAY NOT BE THE ENEMY OF CREATIVITY AFTER ALL…, examining how AI and human creativity can work together.

• FUTUREVIEW ADDRESS, where media cartographer Evan Shapiro helps delegates navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.

THE FORUM returns as the Festival’s dedicated space for open discussion and honest debate, tackling some of the industry’s most difficult conversations.

• WHO GETS TO TOUCH THE KIT? confronts the ways gender continues to shape careers behind the camera.

• SECRET PRODUCER: UNSPOKEN TRUTHS & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS explores the biggest challenges facing freelancers and the solutions emerging across the industry.

The IMPACT SESSIONS see legendary director Richard Curtis ask CAN POWERFUL TELEVISION DO MORE THAN MOVE US?, exploring the growing field of impact producing, while CLASS REPORT: IS TV MAKING THE GRADE? examines what’s next for class representation in television, both on and off screen.

The Festival also celebrates comedy with the launch of FUNNY BUSINESS, supported by Universal Studio Group. This new dedicated Friday strand explores the business of comedy, bringing together some of the biggest names in television comedy for exclusive conversations, industry insight and plenty of laughs along the way. Highlights include LIVE FROM EDINBURGH: THE SNL UK MASTERCLASS and HERE WE GO: THE RISE & RISE OF A MODERN SITCOM CLASSIC.

Beyond the Festival stages, delegates can make meaningful industry connections through ConnectED, the Festival’s dedicated networking programme featuring expert roundtables, curated meet-ups, speed meetings and the brand-new Commissioner Showcase, designed to connect creatives with the people commissioning tomorrow’s television.

It’s a Festival not to be missed. Secure your Edinburgh TV Festival Pass today and join us Tuesday 25th – Friday 28 August.