Creative industries

Our creative economy in the North East spans a diverse range of sub-sectors from publishing, broadcasting, design, and architecture to film production, advertising, cultural education, and digital services such as software and computer programming.

23,000 people in the region are employed across almost 3,500 organisations. Worth £2.1 billion, the North East has the fastest growing creative industries sector in the UK (outside of London) growing 17.9% from 2018-2023.

Some key sub-sectors include:

Film & TV

The North East’s screen agency, North East Screen has played an instrumental role in boosting the number of productions filmed in the region. Production spend was up 83% from 2022-2026 making the region the fastest growing screen sector in the UK and worth £88.5 million. This growth was catalysed by a strategic partnership between the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC in 2021 which saw the BBC invest £20 million into growing the industry in the region sustainably.

To further supercharge the industry, a brand new film studio is set to be built in Sunderland. Crown Works Studios is a significant development that includes the creation of three sound stages, production accommodation and backlot space.

Music

The region continues to grow its music sector, with the North’s music development agency, Generator, spearheading major partnerships and investment.

In 2026, Warner Music UK announced a three-year partnership with Newcastle, anchored by the development of a brand-new music studio on Newcastle Quayside. 2025 saw both the MOBO Awards and the Mercury Prize land in the city for the first time, with the latter returning for 2026.

Sunderland Music City aims to establish Sunderland as a globally recognised music hub, with a focus on ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to make, learn, record, rehearse, promote, perform and listen to great music. Sunderland joined the Music Cities Network in 2025.

In Newcastle and Gateshead, the Newcastle Gateshead Music City initiative is set to transform the North East into a major hub for the industry. It aims to accelerate the upward trajectory of music tourism growth, with goals of creating 2,000 to 4,000 music-related jobs, and contributing an additional £750 million to the local economy. 

Gaming and esports

The North East is home a vibrant community of gaming companies and studios including Ubisoft Reflections and Coatsink. In 2026, regional tech conference, TechNExt, launched GameNExt, a fringe conference designed specifically for the games industry.

Meanwhile, the British Arena by British Esports is set to take shape in Sunderland. The cutting-edge venue is designed for music, conferences, exhibitions, live broadcast, esports and gaming at the highest level, powered by advanced 5G connectivity.