4 Key Takeaways from the Edinburgh TV Festival 2025
This year marked the 50th anniversary of Edinburgh TV Festival. Although there are economic and creative challenges within the industry, the discussions on stage had a combination of lively debates, new perspectives and some headliner moments. Here are our four key takeaways.
Streamers vs Broadcasters
A discussion between Channel 4 and Netflix sparked a debate of who gets the credit for nurturing British talent. Using the example of Netflix’s hit limited series ‘Adolescence’, Channel 4 argued that streamers are benefitting from years of investment by public service broadcasters. However, Netflix countered by pointing out the ongoing work that they have been doing with creators in the UK. This exchange has underlined a deeper question which is: How can the industry balance the global reach of streamers but also responsibly invest in homegrown voices?
YouTube’s Growing Influence
With YouTube now being the UK’s second most watched platform after the BBC, its influence is important to understand, especially with younger audiences in particular shaping their viewing habits around it. Creator Munya Chawawa called for commissioners to collaborate meaningfully with digital talent rather than treating them as add-ons. For traditional broadcasters it is important that they adapt, or face becoming irrelevant.
Global Politics – the knock-on effect
Donald Trump’s return to office was one of the main topics that held a weight in several sessions. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton spoke about the pressures of creating TV in a climate where self-censorship feels real, and comedian Roy Wood Jr. suggested that YouTube could become the new home for voices edged out of network TV. Conversations about rising populism in the UK also pointed to a growing need for broadcasters to engage with audiences who feel alienated by traditional media.
Fewer Commissions
This year saw fewer commissions of brand-new shows, so it was encouraging to hear that Sky and HBO had backed War, a legal thriller for two seasons upfront while Channel 4 doubled down on prestige dramas from Steven Moffat and Ronan Bennett and ITV is chasing their own Traitors style hit with Nobody’s Fool. Across the board, the message was clear: broadcasters are focusing on creating and developing bigger shows, even if it means making fewer of them.
Overall, Edinburgh TV Festival highlighted that the industry is still wrestling with economic pressures and political shifts but is determined to adapt. There was a strong reminder that whether through streamers, YouTube or traditional TV, audiences will always chase bold stories told with authenticity.
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