The Edinburgh TV Festival has announced its first speakers for the 2026 event.
Journalist, broadcaster and writer, Amol Rajan, will do the Alternative MacTaggart slot, a combination of a keynote and conversation which seeks to shape debate around the global television industry from an alternative perspective.
Rajan will explore the role of journalism in a post-truth world, and why now is the time to “jump into the great digital Narnia of the creator economy”.
The former editor of the Independent moved to the BBC in 2016, where he became the corporation’s first media editor. He’s since hosted University Challenge from MediaCity; The Media Show on BBC Radio 4; and will soon be leaving as key anchor on Radio 4’s the Today Programme which he has presented since 2023.
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Also announced today is award-winning actress, Vicky McClure MBE, who’s starred in Line of Duty, This is England and Trigger Point.
She’ll be joined in conversation by her partner, filmmaker and co-CEO of All3Media backed indie, Build Your Own Films, Jonny Owen.
McClure is a keen campaigner for dementia awareness with her dementia choir documentaries, and both she and Owen are champions for working class representation, establishing BYO Films in a bid to support and nurture new voices from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Their discussion will explore the social and economic barriers to television jobs and how to positively inspire the next generation of film and TV makers.
“This year’s Festival lands at a pivotal time for the TV industry. Never have there been more challenges and more opportunities. Amol, Vicky and Jonny are all unique and dynamic voices whose perspectives can help shape the future of TV in all its forms,” said The Festival’s Advisory Chair, Adam Hawkins.
Last month, Edinburgh TV Festival organisers revealed that Edinburgh, Greater Manchester and Newcastle were in the running to host the event from 2027.
