Media companies bring together arts and tech, resulting in a diverse field with jobs ranging from copywriters to software engineers and art directors. In Manchester, these companies produce everything from hit TV shows and news to advertising platforms. Here are some of the top media companies to know.
Top Media Companies in Manchester
- Immotion
- Sky
- ITV
- Global
- Manchester Evening News
Top Media Companies in Manchester
ITV is a British broadcasting company offering live TV options and streaming content like movies and shows. With a large viewership and channels under its domain, ITV is also a lucrative platform for advertising.
Newsquest publishes local and regional newspapers and magazines in the UK. Its publications include The Herald, Oxford Mail and The Northern Echo. In the Manchester area, Newsquest publishes Salford City News and the Stretford & Urmston Messenger. The company employs nearly 2,000 people.
Media giant Warner Bros. Discovery creates and distributes content for television, film, streaming and gaming platforms. Its media is available in over 220 countries and in 50 languages. Warner Bros. Discovery maintains an office in MediaCityUK, a 200-acre mixed-use development in Manchester.
Entertainment and media titan The Walt Disney Company owns and operates theme parks and resorts, sells consumer products and produces and distributes media content across a variety of platforms. The company’s Manchester teams are working to develop the world’s largest streaming platform. The Walt Disney Company employs more than 200,000 people around the globe.
Global media company Hearst owns and operates newspapers, magazines and television stations around the world. In the UK, it specializes in magazines, media and digital media, including Elle, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. Hearst has its UK headquarters in London, with an additional location in Manchester.
Global is one of the largest media companies in Europe, providing radio and outdoor media content like billboards and bus ads. Its radio stations consist of brands such as Heart, Capital, LBC and Smooth and draw in millions of listeners. Through its mix of radio and billboard content, the company also provides advertising services bolstered by its data collection to help match clients with their target audience.
The Manchester Evening News is a local newspaper producing original reporting on sports and major developments in the U.K. The company also uses its physical newspaper and website to sell advertising opportunities as an additional revenue stream.
Sky is one of the United Kingdom’s largest media companies. The outlet produces traditional news that ranges from sports to politics and entertainment. The company also produces live news broadcasts and provides several live TV options through its streaming services.
American film giant Paramount’s portfolio of brands includes MTV, Comedy Central, Simon & Schuster and Paramount Pictures. It operates in 180 countries and employs more than 40,000 people. In 2024, Paramount pledged funding for a new MediCinema inside Manchester University's Oxford Road hospital campus after the city hosted MTV’s Europe Music Awards. The theater will bring the therapeutic power of film to patients and families.
Ubisoft develops and publishes interactive video games. Its most popular titles include the Assassin’s Creed series, Just Dance and Rainbow Six. In 2024, the company hosted the United Kingdom’s first ever Rainbow Six Major competition in Manchester, with a grand prize of $750,000. Ubisoft employs more than 21,000 people around the world.
British public service broadcaster Channel 4 produces free-to-air television and streaming services. It is publicly owned but commercially self-funded, and produces creative, alternative programming. In 2024, Channel 4 announced plans to double its presence in Manchester, moving more of its operations to the city from London. The move is part of the company’s commitment to national and regional expansion.
Playstation makes gaming consoles, develops handheld games and operates the Playstation Network that allows users to access games and media content. In 2025, Manchester will be one of the stops on a global tour of Playstation The Concert, featuring music from its games God of War and The Last of Us. Playstation employs more than 9,000 people around the world and operates a development studio in Manchester.
British video game company Sumo Digital has developed over 100 titles for various platforms, including Playstation, Xbox and Wii. Founded in 2003, the company has over 20 years of experience in game development, concept art, engineering, porting and post-release support. Sumo Digital has 16 studios around the world, in the UK, Europe, India and Canada.
Epic Games develops video games, interactive entertainment and 3D engine technology. Its Unreal Engine not only powers popular games but is also used in television, film, live broadcasts, architecture and automotive design processes. Epic Games has a team in Manchester focused on licensing services and working on its popular game Fortnite.
Global video game company Electronic Arts makes popular games like EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, The Sims and Plants vs. Zombies. Its mobile games studio, Playdemic, known for developing the popular Golf Clash game, is based in Manchester. Electronic Arts is headquartered in the United States and has a presence in 16 different countries.
British media company News UK is known for its publications like The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times. It is also involved in radio, with broadcast brands like Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK. News UK is headquartered in London, with ten additional offices across the country, including one in Manchester.
TT Games is a British game developer that makes family-friendly entertainment. Best known for its LEGO video games, the company also develops games for brands like Marvel, Harry Potter and Batman. TT Games has locations across the UK, with its largest team based in Cheshire, just south of Manchester.
Immotion is a virtual reality media company that creates immersive experiences focused on wildlife and aquatic topics. The company partners with major aquariums and zoos to develop educational content for visitors. It’s even won an Emmy Award for its VR content.
The BBC is a global public service broadcaster, producing content for television, radio and the internet. The BBC’s Manchester office serves as the regional headquarters for the northwest of England, the largest BBC region in the UK. The office is located in the MediaCenterUK complex, and hosts 4,000 employees.
