How Will AI Change the Future of Television?

Artificial intelligence is changing what is possible in film and television production. AI can now generate images and video, create voices, assist with editing and help filmmakers develop ideas before a camera is even switched on.

The technology is developing quickly. Recently, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said he had been sent a 50-minute AI-generated episode of Doctor Who, which he described as “pretty good”. He was also clear that he did not believe AI would replace humans.

So, what does AI actually mean for the future of television?

AI Is Already Changing Television Production

AI is becoming another tool available to filmmakers and production teams. It can already help with tasks such as creating visual concepts, generating storyboards, transcribing interviews, organising footage, producing subtitles, cleaning up audio and creating visual effects.

Some of these applications are relatively simple, while others are developing rapidly. The result is that production teams can potentially complete certain tasks faster and experiment with ideas that may previously have taken much longer.

That does not mean television programmes will suddenly be made entirely by AI. Instead, AI is likely to become part of a wider production process that still relies on writers, directors, producers, actors, editors and other creative professionals.

How Could AI Change TV Production?

One of the biggest opportunities is in the early stages of production. Filmmakers could use AI to explore different visual styles, create concept artwork or develop storyboards before committing to a particular approach.

AI could also help with production planning. A script could potentially be analysed to identify characters, locations, props and other requirements, helping production teams organise a shoot more efficiently.

These tools could save time, but they do not remove the need for creative judgement. Someone still needs to decide which ideas are worth pursuing and how they should work on screen.

Our video production process focuses on understanding what a video needs to achieve before filming begins. That planning becomes even more important as the number of production tools available continues to grow.

Could AI Make Television Cheaper?

AI could reduce the time involved in some areas of production, which could potentially lower costs for certain projects.

For example, AI-assisted editing could help an editor search through large amounts of footage. Automatic transcription and subtitles can reduce repetitive work, while AI-generated visual concepts can make it quicker to explore different creative options.

However, producing good television involves much more than completing individual tasks quickly. Storytelling, performance, cinematography, sound and editing all require experience and judgement.

The same applies to business video. A cheaper production is not necessarily a better production if the finished video fails to communicate the right message.

For businesses looking to produce professional content, our video production services cover everything from corporate films and testimonials to training and event videos.

What About AI-Generated Actors and Voices?

One of the more complicated areas of AI is the ability to digitally recreate people’s appearances and voices.

This creates new possibilities for filmmakers, but it also raises important questions about consent, ownership and payment. If an actor’s face or voice can be digitally recreated, there needs to be clarity around how that digital representation can be used.

The SAG-AFTRA guidance on artificial intelligence highlights some of the issues surrounding performers and AI.

For businesses and production companies, the important point is that just because something can be generated does not mean it can automatically be used commercially. Copyright, consent and licensing still need to be considered.

Will AI Replace Television Production Jobs?

It is difficult to know exactly how AI will affect employment across the television industry. Some repetitive tasks may become automated, while new roles and skills could develop around AI-assisted production.

Technology has always changed the way films and television programmes are made. Digital cameras changed cinematography, computer editing transformed post-production and visual effects opened up new creative possibilities.

AI is another major technological development, but the need for people who understand stories, audiences and communication is unlikely to disappear.

Someone still needs to decide what should be made, who it is for and whether it works.

AI Could Give Smaller Teams More Options

One of the most interesting possibilities is what AI could mean for smaller production companies and independent filmmakers.

Some visual effects, concept development and post-production tasks that once required significant resources may become easier to explore. This could give smaller teams more opportunities to experiment and create ambitious content.

For businesses, AI could also help production teams get more from a single shoot. A customer interview, for example, could become a main testimonial video alongside shorter social media clips, website content and sales material.

AI tools could help with transcription, editing and repurposing, but the quality of the original footage still matters. Good planning is essential if you want to create multiple pieces of content from one production.

Our video production brief template can help you plan what you want to achieve before filming starts.

The Human Side of Television Still Matters

With so much attention on AI, it can be easy to focus on what the technology can produce rather than what makes a good programme.

Audiences still want interesting stories, strong characters and content that makes them feel something. A production team needs to understand how to communicate an idea, how to work with performers and how to shape footage into a coherent story.

AI can support those decisions, but it does not remove the need to make them.

That is why the future of television is unlikely to be simply about AI replacing traditional production. It is more likely to involve filmmakers using a combination of established production techniques and new AI tools.

What Does the Future of Television Look Like?

The BBC’s Matt Brittin comments about an AI-generated Doctor Who episode are interesting because they show how quickly the technology is developing. However, they do not mean that AI can now independently produce a finished television programme to the same standard as a professional production.

What they do show is that AI-generated video is becoming increasingly capable and accessible.

For television and video production companies, that means there will be new opportunities to work faster, explore ideas and create different types of content. There will also be new questions around copyright, consent, authenticity and the role of human creativity.

The technology will continue to change, but the fundamentals of good video production remain the same: a clear idea, a strong story and an understanding of the audience.

At CMA Video, we create professional video content for businesses across Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK, including corporate promotional videos, customer testimonials and case studies and event videos.

If you’re planning your next video project, get in touch to discuss your ideas.