On Air: broadcasting the future, together
When I first imagined On Air, I wanted to build a global eco-system that fully integrated students and universities with industry. On 16th October 2025, this idea becomes a reality.
On Air will be the biggest global student broadcast – ever! A 24-hour livestream produced by students from 18 universities around the world, across six continents through one continuous stream of live content via YouTube. The broadcast will be anchored and managed entirely through Ravensbourne University London, where the students will oversee master control, playout, and the entire technical workflow, ensuring a seamless connection between the participating locations. Each partner university will produce one hour of original live content, sharing unique stories and creative approaches from their region.
Adapting to a changing industry
We know that the pace of change — driven by AI, cloud workflows, and hybrid production — is creating both challenges and opportunities. Education and industry must evolve together, and On Air is one example of how that collaboration can work in practice
Our goal is simple: to give students real-world experience while giving industry a window into the next wave of talent. The event will use the latest tools and technologies, including AI-driven subtitling, voice-to-voice translation, and, for the first time in production, the Time Addressable Media Store (TAMS) — an open-source BBC R&D innovation powered by Amazon Web Services. This will allow real-time access and content sharing between student teams across the world, enabling collaborative editing and social media storytelling as the livestream unfolds.
A global stage for the next generation
Student presenters Urban Judge, Acacia Daniel, and Mya Harris — all from Youth TV — will be joined by former Gladiator Suzie Cox (Vogue) to guide audiences through the global coverage, following the sun from Sydney to LA.
Partnership is at the core of On Air. With support from more than 20 organisations — including AWS, CNN, Vizrt, Levira, ITV Studios, and Deluxe — this project represents a true collaboration between academia and industry. In addition to this, CNN’s involvement, extends to a segment of the schedule being filmed in its London studios with Year 8 students from Wandsworth schools, part of the London Borough of Culture 2025 initiative, presenting short segments. I truly believe that if we are to change the diversity of our sector we must inspire, educate and inform children and young people and this is step contributing to that mission.
Where ambition meets opportunity
Beyond the technology and logistics, the heart of On Air is opportunity. We’re not just producing content; we’re helping build confidence, creativity, and lasting connections. Students will leave this experience with broadcast-ready portfolios, international collaboration experience, and — just as importantly — lifelong networks. Through our OTTRED Next Gen Space partnership, they’ll be able to continue connecting with mentors and employers globally, turning this one event into an ongoing ecosystem of learning and visibility.
When I look ahead five years, I see a future where students no longer ask, “How do I enter the media industry?” — because they’re already in it. On Air is the first major step toward that future.
So, on 16 October, when the cameras roll and the red light goes live on YouTube, it won’t just mark the start of a broadcast — it will mark the beginning of a global movement. On Air is where the next generation steps forward, and the world tunes in.
Audiences can already subscribe to the channel at youtube.com/@mediatalentmanifesto to receive updates and reminders, and to make sure they don’t miss the start of the broadcast.
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Meet the team
Sophie Greaves
Associate Director, Digital Infrastructure, techUK
Sophie Greaves is Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure at techUK, overseeing the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK, and the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 0207 331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/
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Phil Reid
Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK
Phil is acting Head of Telecoms and Spectrum policy at techUK, where he leads the Communications, Infrastructure and Services Programme. This focuses on promoting the benefits and innovations of connectivity and tackles the barriers of digital infrsatructre rollout.
Phil's background lies in public affairs and policy, supporting numerous organisations to navigate their policy landscape, build their political profile and engage on key issues with impact. His previous roles were predominantly in consultancy but he has also had extensive experience in establishing and manging both trade bodies and campaign groupings; leading their secretariat functions as well as their public affairs and communications activities.
Telecoms has been an ever-constant sector focus during his career, covering an array of issues such as IP-migration, broadband rollout, net neutrality, telecoms fraud, network resilience and security. He has a strong understanding of the sector ecosytem, its major policy issues and has had plenty of interaction with its key stakeholders.
Outside of work, if he's not enjoying family time with his wife and two daughters, he'll be either playing or watching some form of sport.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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Tales Gaspar
Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
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Josh Turpin
Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
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Authors
Carrie Wootten
CEO and Co-Founder, Global Media & Entertainment Talent Manifesto
