Hot Topic: Edinburgh

An upbeat festival celebrates creativity despite a tough year in TV, says Andrew Mackenzie.

"You're the chair, eh? What's your theme?" thundered the super-indie megabrain as he lurched into my office a year ago. "Theme?" I squeaked. They want a theme? Already??

Peter Barron had just led the retreating industry to lick its wounds at Edinburgh 2007 after one of the biggest collective arse-kickings in TV's history. In the wake of Queengate and phone-in scandals, the theme was clear - trust. We questioned our culpability and whether the industry would ever be the same again. After three highly charged days, we broadly concluded "maybe" and life went on. If in an even more volatile climate.

Despite an impressive on-screen year - from Cranford to Britain's Got Talent; The White Season to The Food Season - the TV industry has surpassed itself in generating negative headlines. Record fines followed resignations; share prices plummeted; broadcasters pleaded poverty; and the death of PSB was predicted.

Edinburgh 2008 could so well have been themed around TV's Armageddon. But an astute committee and festival team analysed every beat and quiver of the industry year to deliver a festival that reflects not only controversies but also the immense creativity of 2008. When Peter Fincham captured the headlines, they secured him as this year's MacTaggart lecturer. When Ofcom brought forward its public service review, they set up their own. There will be few more important sessions this year; all the key players are present to take the debate on following Ofcom's leaked blueprint.

As the year developed so the plight of our biggest commercial broadcaster worsened; the operation to resuscitate it begins in How to Save ITV on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the winners of the digital revolution have had their first year in power. Nearly 90% of homes now receive digital TV, and dramatically more homes are using on-demand services such as the iPlayer. Check out The Rise of VoD and TV's Crystal Ball to see how weirder life could get by 2012.

Contrary to the barrage of negative headlines this year, viewers are watching more TV than a decade ago - three hours, 46 minutes of "normal" TV a day. So, as we debate how we watch and how we'll continue to produce great public service talent, there's a chance to celebrate and learn from the hottest TV masterminds. The talent behind Skins, Heroes, Fonejacker, Doctor Who, The IT Crowd, and The Thick of It are all present to marvel at.

And we'll be treated to exclusive shows - with an industry twist - from Jimmy Carr, Angus Deayton, John Humphrys, Noel Edmonds and Gok Wan.Gok's opening session offers TV execs and live nudity. An Ofcom intervention may be imminent. Hopefully, it's not the only theme that will make the headlines.
Andrew Mackenzie is C4 head of factual entertainment and the advisory chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival