The UK’s broadcasting sector stands at a pivotal moment. With rapid technological evolution, shifting audience behaviours, and increasing global competition, the decisions made today will define the industry’s future for years to come. Now, Innovate UK is inviting leading voices across the sector to step forward and help shape that future.

As part of its work supporting the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and the Creative Industries Sector Plan, Innovate UK is developing targeted funding programmes designed to unlock growth across four frontier industries: video games, advertising and marketing, film and TV, and music, performing and visual arts. Through these documents the unique strengths and values of our public service broadcasting ecosystem are highlighted. UK Creative Industries create good jobs across the country, shape the way we talk about ourselves as a nation and are the face and voice of our reputation abroad.

At the heart of this initiative lies a crucial principle: investment must focus on bold, pioneering innovation – particularly where technical ambition meets commercial uncertainty. To help shape this, Innovate UK is turning directly to industry leaders.

If you are part of a UK Broadcaster, now is the time to make your voice heard and help define what comes next for UK broadcasting. Please complete the Expression of Interest form by 17 July. We will then contact you to let you know if you are chosen to participate.

A Call for Industry Insight

Through Industry Voices: Shaping the Future of Broadcasting, a workshop taking place in September 2026, Innovate UK is gathering first-hand insights from UK broadcasters to identify the areas with the highest growth potential. This is an opportunity to influence where future funding and innovation support will be directed and feed directly into a Contracts for Innovation opportunity

The focus is clear: identifying complex, high-value opportunities where:

• The level of uncertainty or risk is too high for organisations to tackle alone
• The benefits extend beyond individual companies to the wider industry
• There is potential to deliver a significant, step-change advantage for the UK’s creative sector

Innovate UK is looking for the ideas, challenges, and opportunities that could transform broadcasting, but require collective ambition and support to bring them to life.

Tackling the Industry’s Biggest Challenges

Selected participants will play a vital role in shaping this vision by sharing their perspectives on:

• Strategic challenges facing the industry’s long-term direction
• Operational barriers impacting day-to-day delivery and efficiency
• Environmental considerations, including sustainability and resource use
• Regulatory pressures influencing innovation and growth
• Opportunities to improve the supply chain & other externalities

By bringing together these insights, Innovate UK aims to build a clearer picture of where intervention can make the biggest difference and ensure funding programmes are aligned with real-world needs.

Procuring Tomorrow’s Solutions Today

For public sector organisations, Contracts for Innovation allows new solutions and technologies to be developed, and for these to be quickly adopted, helping meet efficiency targets and improving public services.

Who should get involved?

This initiative is specifically designed for organisations at the forefront of UK broadcasting, including:

• Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs)
• UK-based commercial broadcasters with significant investment in UK TV and film – typically contributing £500 million or more annually

Shape UK Funding Priorities

The broadcasting landscape is evolving faster than ever. From emerging technologies and new content formats to changing regulatory frameworks and sustainability pressures, the industry is navigating uncharted territory.

By contributing to this initiative, you will:

• Help shape future funding priorities
• Influence how innovation is supported across the sector
• Ensure your organisation’s challenges and opportunities are represented
• Play a part in strengthening the UK’s global leadership in creative industries

This is a chance to directly impact the strategic direction of the UK’s broadcasting ecosystem!

If you are part of a Broadcaster, now is the time to make your voice heard and help define what comes next for UK broadcasting. Please complete the following Expression of Interest form by 17 July. We will then contact you to let you know if you are chosen to participate.

Your expertise could help unlock the next wave of innovation – and ensure the UK continues to lead on the global stage.