A new accelerator for established independent production companies navigating a changed TV 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, helping established companies sharpen their strategic focus and make clear decisions about their positioning in a changed market
Applications are open to established Indies across scripted and non-scripted genres, including previous Alumni.
Application Deadline: 12pm Friday 13 March 2026
What is Content Futures 2026?
Indielab Content Futures 2026 is a cohort-based 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.
Who is the accelerator programme for?
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Established independent production companies
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Indies reassessing content strategy, revenue streams and partnerships
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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
Growth Planning
Our dedicated team of contributors will help you take stock of where your company is now in light of rapid market changes. Through structured sessions you will look at how changes in commissioning, audience trends and production economics point to specific dynamics affecting your company’s growth potential, and how to align for opportunity in the market. You will clarify your vision, sharpen your USP and make deliberate decisions about what to prioritise, what to pause and what to stop.
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.”
Key Information
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.
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.
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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