The proliferation of TV channels, explosion of digital platforms and evergreen popularity of culture consumption continues to ensure that the demand for arts-based programming has never been so strong. But how do arts organisations tap into this growing opportunity? What are commissioners looking for across different platforms? What are the key challenges and how can they be overcome?

Working in partnership with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, The Guardian Culture Professionals Network and all the major UK broadcasters, NFM explored these and other key questions for the region’s independent production companies and forward-thinking cultural organisations at two Arts TV Forums in 2012 and 2014, bringing the leading commissioners in the field of arts television to the North East.

Chaired by Maggie Brown of The Guardian, the Forums included key decision makers from BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Sky, including Alan Yentob, Richard Klein, Phil Edgar-Jones, Tabitha Jackson, Mark Bell, James Hunt, Susie Wright, Alison Clark (Arts Council England) and Don Boyd (HiBROW).

Designed to offer North East arts organisations and indies an inside-track on the latest content requirements of key broadcasters and strategic insights on maximising the digital convergence opportunity, the Arts TV Forums also provided a platform for debate and an opportunity for networking with some of the most influential decision makers in arts-based broadcast media. Additionally, each Forum saw the premier screenings of two new short films by outstanding emerging artist-filmmakers, commissioned in partnership with Arts Council England and Channel 4.