Rise News: January 2026

Earlier this month we hosted our first Coffee and Connections event, marking a great start to the year with a very successful networking morning. We were really encouraged by the feedback from everyone who joined us. Alongside time to meet and talk, we heard from Sylvia Cohen of Sylvia Cohen Consultants, who shared practical guidance on public speaking and purposeful connection, covering topics such as body language, breath, voice, mindset, and clarity of message.

Thank you to Flawless AI for hosting, Red Bee Media for sponsoring, and to Sylvia for contributing such thoughtful insight. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and helped shape what we hope will be the first of many Coffee and Connections events.

A number of our 2025 Rise mentees attended DTG FutureTech at the BBC’s Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House. We were delighted to see our mentees in the room and would like to thank Richard Lindsay-Davies, Will Parsons, and the wider DTG team for generously providing free tickets and making this possible.

The event offered a wide-ranging look at the technologies, strategies, and partnerships shaping the future of television, from distribution and IP transition to AI, connectivity, and new content formats. Our mentees found the sessions engaging and appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from leaders across broadcasting, streaming, manufacturing, and technology. We are grateful to DTG for their continued support and for welcoming the Rise community so warmly.

On Monday 9th March 2026, Rise Europe will host the first Rise Women on Stage conference at EVS in Liège, Belgium, as part of International Women’s Day.

The afternoon will bring together women and allies from across media, broadcast, and technology for open discussion and shared insight. Topics will include reaching younger audiences, leading through constant transformation, and the realities of Artificial Intelligence, exploring what works, what does not, and what is still hype.

The event will feature a mix of panel discussions, fireside chats with industryleaders, and structured networking sessions designed to help attendees build newconnections. Places will be limited, register below!

Applications for the award-winning Rise Mentoring Programme are now open! The six-month programme brings women working across broadcast and media technology together for mentoring, learning, and shared experience, supported by the wider Rise community.

Previous participants often highlight the value of the connections and support built through the programme. As Nasim Beacham-Paterson, Content Fulfilment Manager at ITV, shared:

“Being accepted into the programme has provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with women in our industry whom I might not have otherwise met. The networking events significantly boosted my confidence, and both mentees and mentors were incredibly supportive and generous with their advice. The courses I attended offered excellent insight and helped increase my confidence and visibility. I am genuinely excited to remain part of the Rise community.”

Rise Europe recently attended Hamburg Open, where the panel discussion How Diversity Makes the Media Industry More Attractive was well received by both attendees and organisers. The conversation focused on practical examples and real action, highlighting the role diversity plays in strengthening the industry as it responds to skills shortages and future change. It was also great to spend time at the show speaking with visitors, sharing more about Rise, and beginning new conversations. We were pleased to collaborate for the first time with FKTG and the ARD/ZDF Media Academy, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting talent and the future of the industry. A big thank you to all involved!

Rise AV and Rise WIB will be attending ISE together and we are really looking forward to being part of the show. You will find us at Booth EA315, Level 0, where we will be sharing more about our upcoming plans, programmes, and initiatives across both communities.

It will be great to catch up with familiar faces, meet new people, and spend time talking about how we can continue supporting women across AV, broadcast, and media technology. More information will be shared soon!

MPTS 2026 takes place in the Grand Hall, Olympia London on 13 - 14th May 2026, marking the event’s 10th edition and a decade of connecting the creative and technical communities across broadcast, production, post, audio and content creation.

Rise will once again be attending, and you can find us in our usual spot. For those joining us for the first time, that is Stand F10. We look forward to connecting with the community and continuing conversations throughout the show.

Over the past ten years, MPTS has become an important platform for skills development, knowledge-sharing and career progression across the media and entertainment industry. The event brings together professionals at every stage of their career – from those just starting out to established leaders – alongside organisations shaping the future of media production and technology.

What’s new for 2026

MPTS 2026 builds on this foundation with a number of expanded features particularly relevant to emerging talent and career development:

• Creator Hub, spotlighting the creator economy, new production pathways, social video and opportunities for emerging voices
• Post Production World Conference Europe, with expanded sessions exploring editing, VFX, colour, audio post and post-production workflows
• SMPTE Media Technology Conference Europe, addressing standards, IP, cloud, AI and next-generation media technologies
• More practical sessions and live demonstrations, offering insight into real-world workflows and career-relevant skills
• A refreshed show layout within the Grand Hall, designed to encourage connection, collaboration and mentoring conversations

Alongside the exhibition, MPTS will feature a wide programme of talks, panels and case studies from creatives, technologists and industry leaders, sharing insight into career journeys, skills development and the changing nature of work in media production.

As MPTS marks its 10th anniversary, the 2026 edition looks ahead to the next generation of talent - exploring how collaboration, access and opportunity will shape the future of the industry.