March 19th 2026 ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund has published its annual HETV workforce research that confirms the UK’s HETV industry is stabilising after the post-Covid boom, but facing a fresh set of skills challenges as budgets tighten and production patterns shift.
The 2025/26 study – the ninth annual wave of industry consultation – draws on an online survey of 74 senior professionals and 50 in-depth interviews with producers, heads of production, line producers and other decision-makers working across the UK. It paints a picture of a workforce that is largely back in work – 82% of respondents are currently on a HETV production – but still grappling with “feast or famine” conditions, squeezed budgets and a growing focus on lower-budget band 2 shows.
Overall, the research shows that skills issues are less severe than at the height of the boom in 2021–23, when shortages and gaps were widely described as “very serious”. However, there are early signs that pressure may be building again: the proportion who say skills problems have “got worse” over the past year has risen from 11% to 18%, and concern about skills shortages has nudged up, with 18% now rating it a serious or very serious issue.
Crucially, the research finds that skills gaps now worry employers more than pure shortages. The most cited weaknesses or ‘gaps’ are adequate financial and budgeting skills (60%), resilience (57%) and communication and interpersonal skills (51%), even as perceptions of leadership, management and team-working have improved year-on-year. These skills are further thrust into the foreground with the increased focus on Band 2 shows (as opposed to Band 3 and 4), whose tighter budgets require a more dynamic crew who can problem-solve quickly, and work with a greater level of ingenuity to deliver High End TV at lower cost.
Interviewees highlight the legacy of a “Covid cohort” of crew who were stepped up too quickly during the boom, alongside some heads of department who struggle to manage teams and budgets effectively, and a need to better support and manage Gen-Z entrants.
While HETV producers are finding that crewing up is generally easier than in previous years, specific shortages are becoming more acute in key roles including production accountants, editors, script editors, 1st ADs and post-production supervisors. New specialist roles – from access and sustainability coordinators to AI skills advisors – are starting to appear in greater numbers as audiences and productions evolve.
Adoption of new technology, in particular AI, is another emerging pressure point. Generative AI and virtual production are still used by a minority of productions, with many interviewees citing scepticism, lack of confidence, copyright concerns and the cost and prep demands of virtual production as barriers, even while acknowledging the need to upskill to remain competitive.
Hannah Green says, “This year’s research shows that work on skills in the sector is far from done. High End TV has definitely moved on from the post Covid boom, from well-funded prestige shows to more budget-conscious ones, which is reflected in the skills needed today. Employers are increasingly concerned about the gap between what roles demand and what people are actually equipped to deliver – particularly around budgeting, resilience and communication. “
Barry Ryan, Chair of HETV said. “This year’s findings underline the importance of supporting mid-level TV professionals who are the backbone of the HETV industry. As budgets tighten, and producers are asked to do more with less, we need confident leaders who can manage teams, budgets and new technologies, whilst maintaining the high standards to deliver the fantastic TV the UK is known for.’
Findings from this year’s research will guide how the HETV Skills Fund invests in 2026/27, ensuring that every pound contributed by industry continues to be targeted where it can have the greatest impact on the UK’s world-class HETV workforce.