Amol Rajan To Deliver Edinburgh Alternative MacTaggart

Amol Rajan will deliver the Edinburgh TV Festival Alternative MacTaggart lecture.

Rajan is about to exit the BBC to set up a digital talent company and will talk about “the role of journalism in a post-truth world, and why now is the time to ‘jump into the great digital Narnia of the creator economy’.”

One of the most prolific BBC presenters of the past decade, Rajan will soon leave the corporation. He has been Media Editor, presented the Radio 4 Today program and had his own documentary series. He is remaining freelance to present University Challenge and the Radical with Amol Rajan podcast.

The Alternative MacTaggart is intended as a tonic to the main MacTaggart, which is yet to announce for this year. Last year’s Alternative was delivered by YouTube star Munya Chawawa, who is exactly the sort of person Rajan will likely be looking to work with once he sets up shop. He chided the TV industry for “ignoring evolution” as the “same outdated gatekeepers stick to the same outdated guns.”

Rajan is the first name announced on the Edinburgh 2026 bill alongside Line of Duty star Vicky McClure and producer Jonny Owen.

This could be the last year the fest takes place in its 50-year-old Scottish home. Organizers are currently considering bids that could see the fest relocate to either Greater Manchester or Newcastle, or remain in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Advisory Chair, Adam Hawkins, said: “This year’s Festival lands at a pivotal time for the TV industry. Never have there been more challenges and more opportunities. Amol and Vicky are unique and dynamic voices whose perspectives can help shape the future of TV in all its forms.”