RTS Academy Ltd

The RTS Academy offers a unique online course comprising of approximately 80 hours of interactive learning, with 24 carefully crafted modules divided across four main streams - industry context, programme making, business functions and future outlook. There is an optional final assessment for those wishing to attain a distinction.

With unparalleled access to the insights of over 100 inspirational top-level executives and professionals working in roles right across the sector, this expansive course shines a light on how the business of TV and streaming media works on a practical level. The course reveals the inner workings of the industry and covers topics ranging from: how ideas are generated, to how programmes are developed, commissioned and made; how money flows within the TV industry; what is meant by 'terms of trade'; and how the UK TV sector is likely to change over the next 5-10 years.

Each module combines in-depth knowledge and insights from industry leaders with activities and tasks with real-world application to equip professional learners with valuable knowledge and expertise which they can immediately put to use within their day-to-day work. All will leave empowered to make better business decisions, achieve a greater impact within their organisation and fast-track their future careers with the competitive edge to grow as leaders.

Featuring exclusively filmed interviews with over 100 expert contributors, high-profile case studies and interactive assessments, the curriculum covers every element of the TV and streaming media ecosystem, and guides students through them step by step.

The television industry is exciting and dynamic, but it’s also complex and multi-layered. Its learn-on-the-job culture makes it challenging for people working in specialist areas to gain experience about how the rest of the business operates.

Beyond this course, it would be impossible to connect with so many industry trailblazers; here, with straight-down-the-lens interviews, it will feel like they are your own personal tutors. Live webinars with key industry figures will be scheduled as special events each year to discuss key topics and themes and every Mini MBA learner will have access to these on an ongoing basis. 

We invite everybody to attend the course as part of a cohort to maximise the opportunity for online discussions and other aspects of social learning. Having completed the course, you will become part of a growing alumni and broad professional network.

The course has been developed with contributions from industry leaders including Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media; Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global; Patrick Holland, Executive Chairman and CEO of Banijay UK; Sarah Rose, President of Channel 5 and UK Regional Lead for Paramount; Simon Pitts, CEO of STV Group; Zai Bennett, CEO and CCO of BBC Studios; Amelia Brown, CEO of Fremantle UK; Stephen Lambert, CEO of Studio Lambert, All3Media; Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion at ITV; Jon Thoday, Founder and MD of Abvalan Entertainment Ltd; Evan Shapiro, Media Cartographer of Eshap; Dawn Airey, Chair of  Barclay's Women's Super League and Women's Championship; Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at BBC; and Tim Hincks, Co-CEO of Expectation.

The course is fully flexible and available on-demand, allowing busy professionals to schedule their learning and track progress online.