A team of 150 students will lead On Air 2026 from its headquarters at the University of Westminster’s Harrow Media Campus
Carrie Wootten, Co-Founder of the Media Talent Manifesto, said: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunities to prove it are not
On Air, the world’s largest student-led broadcast, began in 2025 as a continuous 24-hour livestream linking institutions on six continents, with more than 1,000 students
- 150 students will lead the London headquarters, with a further 1,500 expected to participate through schools, colleges and universities across six continents
- Student presenters will be joined by industry volunteers including Suzie Cox, ‘Vogue’ from the original Gladiators
- Appear, Cuez, Norsk and Ross Video join industry partners supporting the production
A team of 150 students will lead On Air 2026 from its headquarters at the University of Westminster’s Harrow Media Campus, coordinating a global five-channel broadcast with a further 1,500 students expected to take part worldwide on 22–23 October. Organised by the Media Talent Manifesto (MTM), the world’s largest student-led broadcast will put students in charge of 24-hour Culture, News, Sport, Film and Kids channels, supported by industry professionals.
On Air, the world’s largest student-led broadcast, began in 2025 as a continuous 24-hour livestream linking institutions on six continents, with more than 1,000 students, staff and industry volunteers involved. This year’s five-channel format takes that collaboration further. Students will make editorial decisions and work across presenting, directing, cameras, sound, graphics and playout, with industry professionals supporting the live production. The 2025 project is now a finalist for Creative Innovation Project of the Year and Collaborative Team of the Year at the RTS Technology Awards 2026; the winners will be announced on 22 October.
Carrie Wootten, Co-Founder of the Media Talent Manifesto, said: “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. That shared commitment from education and industry is what makes this possible on a global scale, with students at the heart of the production.”
Westminster students at Harrow will connect contributions from Auckland, Brisbane, California, Cape Town, Mumbai, and São Paulo. Among the participating institutions are the BRIT School, Morley College and Ravensbourne University London, alongside Auckland University of Technology, AFDA, Whistling Woods International, Universidade de São Paulo and City College of San Francisco. School, college and university teams will work as part of one international production.
Students will take most 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. They will guide viewers through the live programming and link contributions from participating teams.
Industry support
Appear, Cuez, Norsk and Ross Video have joined On Air since the last update, adding to the industry network supporting the production and its student teams. Other partners include Aski-Da Taldea, AWS, Clear-Com, CNN, dB Broadcast, Deluxe, disguise, Hitomi, Hotcam TV, IAMT, IBC, InSync, Into Film, IPLocker, Levira, MASV, Mimir, Platform Communications, Provys, SMPTE, SVG Europe, Tanooki, Techex, Vizrt, Warner Bros. Discovery and Zixi.
On Air Awards
The newly announced On Air Awards shortlist puts work from last year’s broadcast back in the spotlight. Winners of the inaugural awards will be revealed live during On Air on 22 October, with content available on demand afterwards. The full shortlist is at mediatalentmanifesto.com/on-air-awards.
Award supporters include Ross Video, which sponsors Future Broadcast Team, and Boxer, which supports Best Social Promotional Campaign. Deluxe, ITV Studios, Laura Meyer, Levira, the University of Westminster and Vizrt also support award categories.