Sophie Jones, recently appointed chief of the Royal Television Society, says she intends to raise the profile of the United Kingdom television industry as the organisation prepares for her first convention. Speaking in the run up to the event in September 2026 in London, Jones framed the sector as a global powerhouse that deserves a louder public voice.
Jones offered a broad view of what she believes the convention must do. She wants the gathering to showcase the industry’s commercial success and creative range from drama and factual programming to entertainment and unscripted formats. Jones highlighted the importance of demonstrating how UK production companies, broadcasters and streaming platforms work together to export shows and nurture talent.
The convention programme features a range of figures from across the sector, including personality Jeremy Clarkson among the line up. Jones said such a mix of voices will help underline the breadth of the industry, from household names to the next generation of producers, writers and on-screen talent. She emphasised that an effective industry narrative must include those working behind the camera as well as those in front of it.
Jones also addressed the sector’s practical challenges. She called attention to skills and workforce development, noting the need for steady training pipelines to meet production demand. Technology and regulatory change were flagged as areas where clearer industry-wide messages are required. Jones argued that by speaking with one voice, industry stakeholders could better articulate priorities on issues such as investment, infrastructure and the responsible adoption of new tools.
The convention is positioned as both a celebration and a working forum. Sessions will give space to talent development initiatives and to discussions on financing models, international partnerships and diversity across all levels of production. For Jones, amplifying success does not mean ignoring problems. Instead she urged an honest conversation about sustaining growth while broadening access.
The Royal Television Society convention will be watched closely by producers, commissioners and policymakers. Jones’s aim to make the UK story louder sets a clear agenda: use the convening power of the RTS to spotlight the scale, creativity and export reach of the television sector while addressing the practical steps needed to keep it competitive.
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