On Air 2026 puts students in charge of five-channel global broadcast
Around 150 students will run the London headquarters on 22–23 October, with a further 1,500 expected to join from schools, colleges and universities across six continents
On Air 2026 will put students in production roles across five live channels, including presenting, directing, cameras, sound, graphics and playout
Students will take control of five live broadcast channels this month as On Air 2026 expands its international production across Culture, News, Sport, Film and Kids programming.
Around 150 students will lead the operation from the University of Westminster’s Harrow Media Campus in London on 22–23 October, coordinating contributions from Auckland, Brisbane, California, Cape Town, Mumbai and São Paulo. A further 1,500 students are expected to participate worldwide.
The project is organized by the Media Talent Manifesto (MTM), an industry-supported initiative focused on skills, education and diversity across the media and entertainment sector.
Rather than observing professional crews, students will make editorial decisions and work across presenting, directing, cameras, sound, graphics and playout. Industry professionals will support the production.
Carrie Wootten, Co-Founder of the Media Talent Manifesto, says: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunities to prove it are not. On Air gives students a real live production experience, with an audience beyond their own campus and professionals who are there to back them.”
She adds: “That shared commitment from education and industry is what makes this possible on a global scale, with students at the heart of the production.”
From one livestream to five channels
On Air began in 2025 as a continuous 24-hour livestream connecting institutions across six continents. More than 1,000 students, staff and industry volunteers took part.
This year, the project moves to five separate channels and brings together school, college and university teams as part of the same international production.
Participating institutions include the BRIT School, Morley College and Ravensbourne University London in the UK, alongside Auckland University of Technology, AFDA, Whistling Woods International, Universidade de São Paulo and City College of San Francisco.
Students will also take most of the presenting roles at Westminster. The announced presenting pairs include Suzie Cox, known as Vogue from the original Gladiators, with Mya Harris; Isabelle Baker with Jennifer Chatburn; and Urban Judge with Acacia Daniel.
Appear, Cuez, Norsk and Ross Video are among the latest companies to join the production’s industry support network. Other partners include AWS, Clear-Com, CNN, Deluxe, disguise, Hitomi, Hotcam TV, IBC, Into Film, SMPTE, Vizrt, Warner Bros. Discovery and Zixi.
The involvement gives students access to a production environment supported by companies and organizations working across broadcast technology, media production and distribution.
Awards put last year’s student work back on air
The 2025 edition has also been named a finalist in two categories at the RTS Technology Awards 2026: Creative Innovation Project of the Year and Collaborative Team of the Year. Winners are due to be announced on 22 October.
On Air 2026 will also host the inaugural On Air Awards, recognizing work produced during last year’s broadcast. Winners will be revealed live on 22 October, with the content subsequently available on demand.
Ross Video is supporting the Future Broadcast Team award, while Boxer supports Best Social Promotional Campaign. Deluxe, ITV Studios, Laura Meyer, Levira, the University of Westminster and Vizrt are also supporting award categories.
On Air 2026 takes place on 22–23 October from the University of Westminster’s Harrow Media Campus, with participating education teams contributing from six continents.
