Hickman Shearer at MPTS 2026: Industry Engagement, Emerging Themes and Asset Disposal

The Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) returned to The Grand Hall at Olympia, London on 12th and 13th May 2026 for its tenth anniversary edition, the largest and most significant iteration of the event to date. As the UK’s premier exhibition for the broadcast and media production industry, MPTS brings together broadcasters, technology developers, content producers and specialist service providers from across the UK and internationally. The Hickman Shearer team was pleased to exhibit for the first time across both days.

Engaging with Industry Development

The two-day programme offered a substantive opportunity for the team to engage directly with the broadcast and media sector,  both through the speaker and seminar programme and through direct conversation on the show floor.

The conference content reflected the breadth of change currently shaping the industry. Sessions covering artificial intelligence in production workflows, advances in camera and imaging technology, the evolving economics of content distribution and the growing focus on sustainability in broadcast operations provided valuable context for understanding how asset requirements, values and lifecycles are shifting across the sector. For an organisation providing capital asset valuation, management and sales services to broadcast and media clients, that insight is directly relevant to the advice we provide.

Equally valuable were the connections made over the course of the two days. MPTS draws a broad cross-section of the industry, from major broadcasters and production houses to independent studios, technology integrators and specialist freelancers, and the quality of discussion at our stand reflected that diversity.

Surplus Assets: A Persistent and Addressable Challenge

Among the most consistent themes in conversations at the Hickman Shearer stand was the issue of surplus and underutilised equipment. It is a challenge that arises across the broadcast sector with notable regularity: organisations that have invested in new technology, whether driven by format changes, platform requirements or capability upgrades, are left managing legacy assets that no longer form part of their active inventory.

The commercial logic for retaining such equipment is rarely strong. Assets that sit idle in a warehouse depreciate without generating return, occupy storage resource, and create administrative overhead. Yet many organisations have not established a clear disposal strategy, and the assumption that releasing surplus kit to the secondary market may undercut sales of current product lines remains a common concern which in our view, is largely unfounded.

The secondary market for professional broadcast equipment operates largely independently of the primary market. Buyers at auction are typically independent producers, smaller production companies, educational institutions, international buyers and freelancers working at a different price point to those purchasing new equipment direct from manufacturers or distributors. Disposing of surplus assets through a structured, professionally marketed auction process does not dilute demand for new product; it realises latent value from assets that would otherwise continue to depreciate unmonetised.

For organisations with significant volumes of unused or end-of-life equipment, a formal asset review and structured disposal programme represents a straightforward opportunity to release capital, reduce overhead and bring quality equipment back into active use in the wider market.

Upcoming Auction: Broadcast and Production Equipment

As part of our presence at MPTS, we were able to share details of our Premium Broadcast and Photography Equipment Auction, which closes on 2nd June 2026. The auction features a carefully curated catalogue of professional broadcast, photography and production assets, and is supported by Hickman Shearer’s established international buyer network.

Those with surplus assets to discuss, or seeking to acquire professional equipment through the auction process, are encouraged to get in touch with the team directly.

A Note on the Show

Outside of the commercial programme, the Hickman Shearer team ran a business card raffle at the stand, with Star Wars LEGO sets, including The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter as the headline prize, proving a popular draw. Both a winner and a runner-up were selected and we would like to thank everyone who visited the stand, entered the draw and took the time to speak with us.

Highlights from the event, including interviews with exhibitors and speakers, are available via the MPTS highlights page. A short video featuring the Hickman Shearer stand is available to view here.

Working with Hickman Shearer in Broadcast

Hickman Shearer provides capital asset valuation, management and sales services to clients across the broadcast and communications sector. Whether supporting strategic asset disposals, providing RICS and ASA certified valuations for financial reporting or insurance purposes, or delivering internationally marketed auction programmes, our team brings over 30 years of professional expertise to every engagement.

Find out more about our broadcast and communications services →

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