In addition to the in-person sessions, there will be a series of lunchtime sessions taking place online – dates to follow.

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A new strategic accelerator for established independent production companies repositioning for a changed market

Applications are now open for the new Indielab Content Futures 2026 Accelerator.

The independent TV and content sector is operating in a market that has fundamentally shifted. Commissioning dynamics have changed, audience behaviour has fragmented, and routes to value now extend far beyond traditional broadcast.

Content Futures 2026 has been designed in response to how significantly the market has shifted, and is aimed at established companies reassessing content, commissioning and finance strategy, digital revenue streams, audience trends, AI & tech adoption and routes to market.

Applications are open to established Indies across scripted and non-scripted genres, including previous Alumni.

Apply Now

Application Deadline: 12pm Friday 13 March 2026

What is Content Futures 2026?

Indielab Content Futures 2026 is a cohort-based strategic accelerator for independent production companies operating in a structurally changed market.

It is designed for founder-led and leadership teams with an existing track record repositioning their business in response to new commissioning realities, evolving audience demand and diversified revenue opportunities.

The programme focuses on decision-making across content, audiences, commercial models and capability – helping companies sharpen focus, avoid false opportunities and build more resilient futures.

Sign up to a Briefing Session

Who is the accelerator programme for?

Established independent production companies
Indies reassessing content strategy, revenue streams and partnerships
Teams making next-phase strategic decisions about focus, priorities and growth

This programme is not introductory. It assumes experience and focuses on next-phase decisions.

Indielab alumni are warmly welcomed. This is a newly designed programme reflecting how significantly the market has shifted, offering alumni the opportunity to recalibrate content, revenue and growth strategy in light of new commercial and structural realities.

Key Areas of the Programme

Strategic direction & growth planning

This work focuses on the real strategic decisions facing independent production companies now. Participants assess how shifts in commissioning, audience behaviour and production economics affect their business, and where growth exists. Using structured frameworks, companies clarify their core proposition, prioritise content and revenue opportunities, and identify which activities to stop, sustain or invest in. The emphasis is on focus and commercial realism, not growth for growth’s sake.

Partnerships & routes to market

Participants examine how partnerships now shape routes to market across broadcast, digital platforms, brands and distributors. The programme looks in detail co-production, branded entertainment models, platform partnerships and alternative commissioning structures. Companies work through how to position themselves for partnership, how to assess risk and value, and how to build relationships that support both creative ambition and diversified revenue in a more fragmented market.

Industry insight, data & applied technology

This strand combines industry insight with practical analysis of data and technology. Participants work with audience intelligence to understand where demand sits across platforms and formats, and how that should inform development decisions. Alongside this, sessions explore how AI and technology can support research, development and operations – focusing on real use cases, limitations and trade-offs rather than hype or tool-chasing.

Indie Showcase & briefings

The Indie Showcase and briefings are designed to support relationship-building and fast, meaningful market engagement. They give companies opportunities to connect with broadcasters, streamers, distributors, brand agencies, platforms and other funding partners, while also building insight and market intelligence about where demand, budgets and opportunities are really sitting. The format is deliberately structured to help participants develop future relationships quickly, through informed conversations that support longer-term commercial collaboration rather than one-off transactions.

How the programme works

Indielab Content Futures 2026 is delivered across multiple in-person masterclasses, supported by virtual sessions between modules. This structure allows participants to apply learning inside their business, return with real challenges and refine decisions over time.

Key themes are revisited across the programme to support real-world decision-making.

AI runs as a dual thread throughout the programme, with an early intensive session, a mid-programme virtual check-in and a later integration-focused block. This reflects how technology adoption actually happens inside established companies – through application, reflection and refinement over time.

Jon Sen

“Taking part in the Indielab TV Accelerator is the best way to gear your company up for the challenges of today's rapidly evolving indie sector, giving you insight and connections that give you a real advantage.”

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Key Information

Indielab Content Futures 2026 will take place in person at a central London venue, on the following dates: Module One Wednesday 22 April, 9.30am - 5.30pm, followed by evening drinks Thursday 23 April, 9.30am - 5.30pm Module Two Tuesday 19 May, 9.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday 20 May, 9.30am - 5.30pm Module Three Monday 8 June, 9.30am - 5.30pm Tuesday 9 June, 9.30am - 6pm, followed by evening drinks Please note that all dates are subject to change, and live events planned to take place in London may revert to online events or be rescheduled in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as a change in government health guidelines, or industrial action. Where possible, all attendees will be notified at least a month in advance as to whether events can go ahead in person, so that travel and accommodation plans can be made in time.

Indielab Content Futures 2026 is delivered with the generous support of our sponsors and funders. Fees are heavily subsidised and payable only after an offer of a place has been made. Accelerator fee: £3,565+VAT per company, covering two places. An early bird discount rate of £3,225+VAT will apply for applications received by 1pm on Friday 6 February 2026. Fees are per company and include the costs for two members to attend the full programme.

With the kind support of our funding partners at Screen Scotland we are able to offer three bursary places for independent production companies based in Scotland. Indielab is also committed to offering a Diversity and Inclusion Bursary Scheme for diverse applicants. This scheme will offer bursary places on Content Futures 2026 to indies founded by members of the under-represented groups listed below, and which also meet the company criteria outlined on the Indielab website. Indies who apply for the Diversity and Inclusion Bursary Scheme and meet the criteria will then be selected based on their suitability for the programme. We welcome applications for the Diversity and Inclusion Bursary Scheme from companies founded by people from the following under-represented groups, including but not limited to: • Black African, Black Caribbean, and any other Black background; • Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, and any other Asian background; • White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean, and any other mixed ethnic background; • Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent. Please indicate on your application form if you feel you qualify for a bursary place on the programme.

Indielab actively welcomes applications from D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent-led indies. Our definition of disability is based on that in the Equality Act 2010: a physical or mental condition that is long-lasting and has a substantial adverse effect on day-to-day activities. For further details, please see Indielab’s accessibility and inclusion policies. If you would like a large print version of our application form, or if you require any adjustments or alternative arrangements during the application process, please contact: Luca Chowdhury, Programme Co-ordinator: luca@weareindielab.co.uk (luca@weareindielab.co.uk)

Indielab Content Futures 2026 is designed for founders and indie leaders. Each company accepted on the accelerator will be allocated two places at all our bespoke masterclasses, seminars and events; access to the Indielab Connect platform; and access to a legal helpdesk.

Apply Now

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How to Apply

Applications are open to companies working in the UK, and across all genres. Indielab supports and actively encourages applicants from under-represented groups. We are committed to equality and aim to ensure that our participants are representative of the diverse community we serve.

1. Find out more at a Programme Briefing

If you would like to understand whether Indielab Content Futures 2026 is the right fit for your company, we invite you to join one of our online briefing sessions. These sessions are designed to explain how the programme has been re-designed for 2026, outline the focus on content strategy, audience intelligence, revenue models and allied technology, and answer practical questions about who the programme is best suited for.

Online briefing sessions will take place on:

Tuesday 27 January, 1pm - 1:30pm

Tuesday 10 February, 1pm - 1:30pm

Monday 2 March, 1pm - 1:30pm

For full details and to sign up, please click here.

2. Check you meet our criteria

Indielab Content Futures 2026 is designed for independent production companies operating in a changed market. Applications are welcomed from companies that meet the following criteria:

Applicant companies must have at least two broadcast credits for their programmes in the last two years, or a body of significant digital-first content.
The programme is primarily designed for established independent production companies, but a limited number of places may be offered to newer businesses where founders can demonstrate a strong personal track record. In these cases, founders should have at least three broadcast credits as producer, executive producer or series producer within the last three years.
Applicant companies must be qualifying independent producers and not more than 25% owned by any company that also owns a UK broadcaster.
The programme is open to Indielab alumni, provided they meet the eligibility criteria above.

3. Read our FAQs

You can find the answers to frequently asked questions by clicking here.

Important note: Content Futures 2026 is a mixed cohort by design, bringing together independent production companies at different stages of scale who are facing similar strategic questions. Sessions are structured to reflect different business realities and ensure relevance across the cohort.

This programme is not introductory. It is designed for companies with an existing track record who are reassessing their strategy, focus and routes to value in a changed market.

If you have any questions about the programme or the application process then please email Luca Chowdhury, Programme Co-ordinator: luca@weareindielab.co.uk

4. Download the
Application Form

Download the application form here.

Applications close at 12pm on Friday 13 March 2026.

Submission of the application form does not guarantee a place on the programme. We will confirm receipt of your application by email and contact you after the closing date to notify you of the outcome. For more information, please see our terms and conditions.

We will keep the information you have provided confidential in accordance with our privacy policy.

Sign up to a Briefing Session

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Download the Application Form

Application Deadline: 12pm Friday 13 March 2026

Funders & Sponsors

With grateful thanks to our 2026 funding partners and sponsors

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Frequently Asked Questions

Companies from across genres, and across the UK, with an existing track record who are reassessing their strategy, focus and routes to value in a changed market. Content Futures 2026 is a mixed cohort by design, bringing together independent production companies at different stages of scale who are facing similar strategic questions. Sessions are structured to reflect different business realities and ensure relevance across the cohort.

Throughout the programme we will be inviting industry leaders from across the UK and global sectors to deliver insight and perspective. These speakers will include broadcasters, commissioning editors, distributors, SVODs, indie sector leaders, digital-first and AI specialists and consultants, and legal and financial specialists. Full details of speakers will be provided when you are accepted onto the programme, but details of our many previous speakers can be found here.(https://www.weareindielab.co.uk/tv-speaker-network)

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully with the programme. If you feel that your circumstances may have an impact on your ability to fully participate then please contact Matthew Poxon, Production Manager: matthew@weareindielab.co.uk.(mailto:matthew@weareindielab.co.uk) All information will be treated confidentially. Our accessible and inclusive learning policy can be found here.(https://www.weareindielab.co.uk/accessible-inclusive-learning-policy)

A strategic accelerator for established independent production companies repositioning for a changed market

APPLICATIONS OPEN

A new strategic accelerator for established independent production companies repositioning for a changed market

What is Content Futures 2026?

Who is the accelerator programme for?

Key Areas of the Programme

Strategic direction & growth planning

Partnerships & routes to market

Industry insight, data & applied technology

Indie Showcase & briefings

How the programme works

Jon Sen

Key Information

Dates

Lunchtime Sessions

Programme Fees

Bursaries

Accessibility

How to Apply

Download the Application Form

Application Deadline: 12pm Friday 13 March 2026

Funders & Sponsors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the programme take place?

Is the programme just for founders? Can I bring another member of the team?

What if I can’t attend one of the dates?

Is the programme for companies looking to raise investment?

Do you accept applications from start-ups?

Who will the other indies be?

Who will the speakers and trainers be?

Will I have to disclose confidential information about my company?

I may require access adjustments or alternative arrangements if my application is successful. Can I discuss these with Indielab?

Can I apply again if I am not accepted onto the programme?

What happens if government restrictions impact on live events?