The Edinburgh TV Festival, a long-standing fixture in the television industry calendar, is moving to Manchester from next year. This year's 50th festival marked its final event in the Scottish capital.
The TV Foundation, the charity responsible for the annual event, cited high costs, particularly for accommodation in Edinburgh during August, as a primary factor in the decision. Campbell Glennie, the chief executive, indicated the relocation is intended to lower delegate costs and broaden access to the festival.
The move has prompted disappointment among some delegates, with one Scottish television producer criticising the decision as reflective of broader industry issues. However, the TV Foundation maintains that the relocation will significantly reduce expenses for attendees.
The festival's move comes amid considerable financial pressures within the industry, including staff reductions at the BBC and mergers between ITV and Sky broadcast operations. The industry is also grappling with challenges from US-based streaming services.