The University of Westminster has been named the host of On Air 2026, the world’s largest student-led media broadcast, delivered in partnership with the Global Media and Entertainment Talent Manifesto (MTM) and supported by major industry organisations including the BBC, CNN and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Taking place on 22–23 October 2026, On Air will position the University of Westminster at the centre of a landmark multi-channel, global broadcast, connecting students, educators and media professionals from universities and schools across six continents. Westminster will act as the primary production hub, reinforcing its long-standing reputation as a global leader in media education and industry-connected learning.
Following the success of the inaugural On Air broadcast in October 2025, which involved more than 1,000 students and collaborators worldwide, the 2026 edition will expand significantly. The event will feature multiple dedicated channels covering culture, news, sport, film and children’s content, offering students the opportunity to work at scale within a live, international broadcasting environment.
As the host institution, the University of Westminster’s state-of-the-art media studios at its Harrow Campus will serve as the central control point for the broadcast. Westminster students will take leading roles across all aspects of production, from scriptwriting and vision mixing to newsroom operations and studio management. They will collaborate in real time with student teams across different countries and time zones, supported by academic colleagues and industry professionals.
The expanded format will allow students to gain hands-on experience across the full media technology supply chain, including live production, journalism, sports broadcasting, filmmaking, post-production, accessibility, social media and global content distribution. Using professional-grade workflows and cloud-based technologies, students will experience the realities of modern international broadcasting while developing the skills demanded by the global media industry.
Dr Doug Specht, Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the On Air 24-hour broadcast at Westminster. This event embodies what drives our work: connecting our students with industry practitioners and providing real-life learning experiences that make an impact. As the University that launched the UK’s first media degree 50 years ago, we continue to shape the future of media and communication by rethinking how we support our students. We're looking to put more focus than ever on bringing students together with industry. Opening our new home for career and enterprise Zone29 in Central London, which will be dedicated to this activity, and hosting this year's global On Air broadcast in Harrow demonstrates Westminster’s ongoing commitment to industry-connected education.”
Carrie Wootten, Founder of MTM, said: “For 2026, we’re taking everything we learned and scaling it up. By expanding the broadcast into multiple channels, we can involve more institutions, more students and more industry partners, while continuing to showcase what the next generation of media talent is capable of on a global stage.”
On Air 2026 will broadcast live globally on 22–23 October 2026, with content available on demand following the event.
This partnership contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Media and Communications courses at the University of Westminster.
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