The Network FAQs
We want applying for The Network to be as straightforward as possible. If you have questions, we hope that we’ve answered them here. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please email us at tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com
The Network aims to attract talented people from all backgrounds. If you require this information in a different format or need to apply in another way, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com or call 0207 278 9515.
eligibility
The Network is committed to diversity and inclusivity. Almost anyone is eligible to apply, you just have to meet a few criteria. If you’re over 18 and love television then you already fulfil most of our criteria, but you can confirm your eligibility here.
Age
No, just an experience limit. If you’re looking to change careers and you’ve had no more than three months’ paid TV experience we want to hear from you too.
You need to be over 18 to take part in The Network. You can apply if you are 17 but you MUST have turned 18 by 20th August 2024.
Education
You don’t need a degree or any qualifications to be eligible for The Network, we are interested in your potential and passion.
You can apply, as long as you are in your final year of college or university and aren’t planning on continuing your education beyond August 2024.
You must be available to start work in television from September 2024, so if you will be studying full-time, you can’t apply until your final year. If your application is successful and we subsequently discover you are planning to be in full-time education in Autumn 2024, we will need to revoke your invitation to participate in The Network.
Location
Yes, you can, as long as you predominantly reside in the UK and have the right to work here. Our aim is to help you get a job in the British TV industry, so we can’t be of much help if you aren’t able to work here.
Experience
No, The Network is open to anyone aged 18+ who is passionate about TV and is aimed at those with little or no professional experience. It’s the first step into the television industry. We are looking for people with an enthusiasm and demonstrable interest in working in TV. However, if you’ve already had plenty of work experience placements and lots of paid work in television, you may be over-qualified for the scheme. The Network is designed to help fresh new talent kick-start their career in the TV industry.
We suggest that those who have had more than three months of work in TV are overqualified for the scheme. By three months, we mean three months’ worth of paid work in total over your entire career so far. If you’d done two weeks of running in 2022; one day of logging in 2023, and two days of running this year, that would only count as 2.5 weeks of paid work total, so you would be eligible to apply.
Not getting a place on The Network is certainly not a judgement that you’re unsuited to work in the industry – if you’re already doing well on your own, then the scheme probably isn’t right for you. Once you’ve been in the industry for more than three years, it may be worth considering applying for our more senior talent scheme, Ones to Watch.
If you’re unsure if you’re too qualified for the scheme, please email a copy of your CV to tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com
If you’re interested in being involved in production and are happy working on other people’s projects as a runner, script editor, or development assistant first, then yes, you can definitely apply.
If you’d rather just work on your own scripts, then you’re better off finding representation for your work with an agent. You could also enter your scripts into new talent competitions, like our New Writers Collective or other opportunities via BBC Writersroom.
The Application Process
The Network aims to attract talented people from all backgrounds. If you need to apply in a different format, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com or call +44 207 843 0150
Applications for The Network 2024 will be open early February.
The application is made up of three sections: personal information (including a CV), two longer questions, and monitoring information. You can choose to submit your answers to the longer question as either a written, audio, or video response.
Don’t worry if your CV is not very long – this will not be marked alongside your application questions. However, we will need it to assess your suitability for the scheme, so please be honest about the amount of experience you have. If you’ve never written a CV before, there are plenty of resources online to help. TV Watercooler has some really good advice.
Entries are assessed by the TV Foundation team and answers to the questions are reviewed without any identifying information attached. Interviews are carried out by industry talent managers, as well as our foundation team. They are looking for creativity, passion, and a keen interest in the television industry.
You should hear back about your application by Friday 17th May. If you have applied and haven’t heard from us by then, please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com
Being on the scheme
If your application is successful, here’s what happens when you’re on The Network.
The Network 2024 will take place in Edinburgh from Tuesday 20th August – Friday 23rd August
The Network in August lasts four days, but the experience continues long beyond that. You’ll be paired with a Ones to Watch mentor for a year, and you’ll be invited to join our job pool, which helps connect you with entry-level job opportunities. You will also join our alumni group, through which you will receive special offers, invitations to exclusive alumni events, and access to further training.
You will be taking part in four days of sessions and masterclasses. The masterclasses are hosted by top industry professionals and are about current shows and industry themes. See what 2023’s cohort got up to by watching our promo film.
We can’t confirm the actual names of people you will meet until August. However, we can promise you that you will be hearing from some of the most influential and important people in the media industry, including scriptwriters, producers, channel controllers, talent managers, and commissioning editors.
Most of your time in Edinburgh will be taken up by your Network workshops and masterclasses. However, you will be able to attend some sessions, including the MacTaggart Lecture.
We are committed to making our programmes and the Festival as inclusive as possible. Read the Festival’s accessibility policies here.
If there are any reasonable accommodations you require to be able to participate in the assessment process or in the programme we will make them and cover the associated costs. If you have any questions about access or inclusion please email tvfoundation@thetvfestival.com