RTS Centres

He has served on the RoI committee since the centre launched in 1996 and took over from founding Chair Al Lennon in 2000. “Al was the inspiration for the RoI centre and it’s been a great honour to continue his work,” said Byrne.

He is proud that the centre’s Student Television Awards have grown over the past decade: “I’ve been delighted that jury chair Marie Penston and I have been able to build up the awards. For a small centre, we have enjoyed great success at the national awards in London.”

RTS chief executive Theresa Wise, who attended the launch at the Isle of Man Film Festival, welcomed the new centre. “It is a testament to the health of our industry and the hard work of our volunteers and members,” she said.

The centre will host events for industry professionals on the Isle of Man, and those who want to break into television or who simply have an interest in it.

Isle of Media – the development agency for television, film and video on the island – supported the launch of the RTS centre. It has also become a patron of the national RTS.