Awkward Studios is an entertainment IP development studio.

We rapidly develop original formats, launch them on digital platforms and scale the ideas that connect with real audiences.

Create fast. Test in public. Grow IP.

What we do.

We build entertainment formats at speed.

Instead of slow, single-shot development cycles, we develop ideas quickly, put them in front of real audiences, and use genuine engagement to guide what scales.

Our focus is on:

Original entertainment formats
Repeatable, scalable IP
Concepts designed to travel across platforms

Our first digital and social channel - Spectrum - launched in February 2026. The channel celebrates neurodiverse creativity, offering quality content to it's audience. Our first format - Spectrum Ink - is based in Bleeding Hearts Tattoo Studio in Nottingham and features neurodivergent and disabled artists and clients. Series 1 & 2 are out now!

Visit Channel

Defeat The Dome is a 5 round, immersive gameshow built for full-dome environments as part of a Media Cymru x CULTVR R&D project. Future applications of the format include:

Low-cost, quick turnaround prototypes/pilots for TV Quiz & gameshow development.
Licensing of existing or new IP into full dome spaces as ticketed events.
Bespoke corporate, brand or team-building events.

If you would be interested in hearing more about the project and how it could work for your production company or business, please get in touch via the contact form below.

WHO WE WORK WITH ⁕

How we work.

Develop → Launch → Learn → Scale

We generate bold ideas, release them on digital platforms, analyse audience response, and evolve the strongest concepts into long-term IP.

No pilots gathering dust.

No guesswork.

Just ideas in the wild.

About.

Based in Cardiff, award-winning Awkward Studios was founded by Hollie Abbott, a development executive with over a decade of experience and commissions across BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, UKTV and ITV.

Awkward Studios combines broadcast-quality development with digital-platform experimentation and platform-economy thinking to build IP designed for scale.

We are a BBC Small Indie Fund 2026 recipient and a Pact. Future Wales company.

Meet the Team.

Creative Director

Hollie Abbott

Fractional Managing Director

Rhys Hancock

Development AP

Bianca Amponsah

Awkward News.

Awkward Studios brings 'Defeat The Dome' to Playback Festival

Awkward Studios, Mark Eaglen and Noelle Nurdin, Owain Llwyd & Peredur Glyn will showcase their R&D outcomes from the Media Cymru × CULTVR Immersive Challenge Fund at PLAYBACK After Hours at CULTVR on Wednesday 16 September. Get your free tickets here:

Media Cymru and CULTVR invest in shared immersive experiences with four new R&D projects

The Media Cymru × CULTVR Immersive Challenge Fund focuses on immersive innovation to support experimentation and capacity-building within the Welsh media sector, supporting the development of new content.

In partnership with CULTVR, Media Cymru awarded funding to four research, development and innovation (RD&I) projects. CULTVR is Europe’s first immersive cross-disciplinary space, offering 360º dome environments, XR performance infrastructure and an established ecosystem for artistic and scientific R&D.

BBC Indie Funds to support 40 production companies across the UK in 2026

As part of the BBC’s commitment to supporting the grassroots of the creative industries in all four nations, we are announcing the 40 independent production companies that will receive support from the Small Indie Fund and the Radio & Music Indie Development Fund.

All companies will receive strategic investment from a total £1.3m pot, mentors from the commissioning teams, and a programme of introductions to wider BBC teams, to help them grow and develop their ideas and businesses.

Creative Wales and Media Cymru fund 15 Welsh creative businesses to explore digital platforms

The Media Cymru x Creative Wales x NFTS Cymru Digital Platforms Fund is designed to create time and resource for Welsh independent film and television, games, animation and music companies to focus on research, development and innovation (RD&I).

The 15 funded projects have each been funded £20,000 and will spend four months developing original digital content. Additionally, they will research how to maximise the opportunities of digital platforms including commercialisation strategies, prospective collaborations, and audience engagement and interaction.

Get in touch.

Want to develop ideas at volume?

Looking to build IP with real audience proof and multiple routes to scale?

Get in touch with us today. We're here to bring your entertainment ideas to life.

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