The Edinburgh Television Festival can go to its website and begin the bidding process

The Edinburgh Television Festival may be about to move after 50 years to Scotland’s capital.

Organizers of Britain’s largest television gathering have launched a bidding process, Deadline understands, with UK cities invited to apply to host the festival from 2027. Edinburgh will be allowed to re-apply and could remain the host city, but London is blocked due to the festival’s commitment to Britain’s countries and regions.

We understand the decision follows backlash following this year’s event amid a review of 50 years of the festival, which began in 1976.

Along with the major shifts in this sector, affordability appears to be a major factor. Accommodation costs in Edinburgh are very expensive in August due to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is held in conjunction with the Television Festival.

Towns from across the UK will now be able to apply and the process will begin.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brings together the best of the UK TV industry, but anecdotally, we’ve been told more and more over the past few years that it’s becoming harder for TV directors, freelancers and staff to afford the trip. The festival is wholly owned by a non-profit charitable foundation, The TV Foundation, and is managed by its own board of directors. The Edinburgh Film Festival takes place in the preceding days.

Last year, the likes of Tina Fey and Shonda Rhimes addressed the festival, while former BBC News boss James Harding gave the annual MacTaggart Lecture. It was put together after an overhaul that saw it scrap its advisory board in favor of a series of open-room meetings with industry across the UK attended by last year’s chair Jane Tranter and creative director Rowan Woods.