Media Talent Manifesto Announces On Air 2026

The Media Talent Manifesto (MTM) has confirmed the return of On Air, the world's largest student-led broadcast, scheduled for 22–23 October 2026.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, On Air 2026 will expand in scale and ambition, connecting students, educators, and industry partners worldwide for a landmark multi-channel global livestream.

The first On Air, delivered in October 2025, brought together universities, colleges, and schools across six continents in a continuous 24-hour broadcast produced entirely by students. More than 1,000 students, staff, and industry volunteers participated, demonstrating the impact of entrusting emerging talent with real-world responsibility using professional workflows and technology.

For 2026, the broadcast will feature multiple dedicated channels covering culture, news, sport, film, and children's programming. The expanded format will allow increased participation from institutions globally, enabling real-time collaboration between student teams across countries and time zones. Students will work across the full media technology supply chain, supported by industry professionals, gaining experience reflective of modern global broadcasting.

To guide the initiative's growth, MTM has established an advisory board of senior leaders from media, technology, and education, including Laura Meyer, Ben Keen, Dushi Thangarajah, and Stephen Stewart.

Carrie Wootten, Founder of MTM, said: "The response to On Air in its first year exceeded all expectations. What really stood out was the confidence and professionalism the students showed when given responsibility and trust. For 2026, we’re taking everything we learned and scaling it up. By expanding the broadcast into multiple channels, we can involve more institutions, more students and more industry partners, while continuing to showcase what the next generation of media talent is capable of on a global stage."

New industry partners joining On Air 2026 include BBC, Disguise, Into Film, Selby Stars, Selby Netball, SVG Europe, Wheelchair Football Association, and Zixi. Existing supporters, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clear-Com, CNN, Deluxe, IABM, IBC, InSync, IPLocker, Levira, OOONA, Platform Communications, Provys, SMPTE, Tanooki, Techex, and Vizrt, will continue their involvement.

SVG Europe will act as the headline partner for On Air Sport, providing content on career pathways in sports broadcasting and collaborating on panel sessions during the event.

Peter Murray, Filmmaking Lead at Into Film, said: "Into Film are proud to support On Air 26 and to develop our ongoing partnership with Carrie Wootten and the Media Careers Podcast as part of our Young Creatives and Screen Careers work with educators and young people. As the UK's leading film education charity, we passionately support educators and careers professionals in helping young people explore careers in the screen industries and through filmmaking. On Air's mission to provide accessible screen industry access is an exciting opportunity for us to share our wealth of resources and expertise."

Participating institutions include AFDA – Cape Town, Baltic Film and Media School, Bristol Academy of Media – UCWISE, BTS Audiovisuel Bayonne-Biarritz, California State University LA, CNN Academy, De Anza College – San Francisco, Griffith University – Brisbane, Make Happen Institute – Screenology Film School, Medieklyngen – Media Cluster Norway, Montgomery College – Washington, NaSTA, Ravensbourne University London, Southampton Solent University, Universidade de São Paulo – Brazil, University of Essex, Weston College, Whistling Woods International – Mumbai, and University of Westminster, London, which will serve as the central hub for core broadcast operations at its Harrow media campus.

Doug Specht, Head of School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster, said: "This project gives our students the opportunity to work alongside industry practitioners in a real-world broadcast environment. Hosting On Air at the University's Harrow Campus, where our media courses are based, allows students to gain hands-on experience at scale, while contributing to a global collaboration that mirrors how the media industry operates today."

On Air 2026 will be broadcast live globally, with content available on demand after the event.

mediatalentmanifesto.com/on-air