Top Comedy Execs Warn: Moving Edinburgh TV Fest Could Spell Disaster for UK Talent

EXCLUSIVE: Fleabag, Baby Reindeer, Saturday Night Live UK and Taskmaster would likely not exist without the unique synergy created by the Edinburgh TV Festival at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This is the fervent view increasingly proclaimed by many who are eager for the TV Festival to remain in Edinburgh.

Last year, for the first time in half a century, Edinburgh TV Festival organizers opened up the possibility of moving the festival to a new city. Recent updates have narrowed the potential locations to Greater Manchester, Newcastle, or keeping the festival in Edinburgh. The Fringe, known as the largest arts festival globally, spans August, with the TV festival held in its last week. Industry leaders attend to scout new talent showcased at the Fringe. Notable shows like Baby Reindeer and Fleabag have transitioned from the Fringe to global stages, with Eat the Rich currently in development at Netflix.

Jon Thoday, head of Avalon, which has strong ties to both the Fringe and the festival, believes moving the festival would be disastrous. He firmly stated that Avalon would not participate if the festival relocates.

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“The American industry sends a significant number of representatives to Edinburgh,” Thoday noted. He highlighted the importance of connections made at the festival, questioning the value of relocating to cities like Newcastle where the primary discussions might diverge from these creative synergies.

Thoday credits the festival’s location for the success of Avalon’s Taskmaster, which has been on air for over a decade. He points out that the Fringe outsells the West End in ticket sales annually and has launched numerous global hits. He argues that relocating would show a lack of faith in the future of British TV rooted in real talent discovery.

“Netflix will still be at the Fringe”

Tony Lankester, who oversees the Fringe, used the new Saturday Night Live UK as a prime example of the Fringe’s influence.

“Almost every cast member has come through the Fringe at some point,” Lankester stated. He described the move to another city as peculiar given the evident synergy between the two events, which he believes would be irreplaceable.

Lankester has voiced his support for Edinburgh’s bid and is closely monitoring the situation. He is confident that, regardless of the TV Festival’s fate, the Fringe will continue to attract talent scouts, including those from Netflix.

Lankester, Thoday, and other prominent figures in comedy are not alone in their plea for the festival to stay in Edinburgh. TV personality Graham Norton, a notable Fringe Ambassador and friend of Taylor Swift, emphasized the festival’s role in his career in a recent YouTube video. He argued that moving the festival could hinder the discovery of future talents like Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The push to consider other cities primarily stems from the soaring costs of accommodations and venue rentals in Edinburgh during August, which have recently deterred some attendees.

Campbell Glennie, the festival’s CEO, explained to Deadline that the review and potential move aim to make the festival more affordable, accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.

Lankester acknowledged the high costs in Edinburgh during the festival period but urged a broader perspective, noting the unique value Edinburgh offers to the industry compared to other cities.

An anonymous comedy industry insider criticized the focus on costs as shortsighted and warned that a move could be a strategic mistake, potentially straining relationships between the Scottish and English TV industries.

The Edinburgh TV Festival board is currently evaluating proposals from all three cities, with a decision possibly being announced by May.

Glennie stated, “The TV Festival has always been designed by and for the industry. We are conducting this review to enhance its longevity and relevance. We aim to be transparent about the options to gather and consider industry feedback thoroughly. We hope the community will respect the ongoing process and the motivations behind it, regardless of the outcome.”