Recommendation

Someone has just recommended space arguments on you tube…. very funny

It's not all technology driven.

Thinkbox research and strategy director David Brennan said that, despite forecasts that People would desert TV for the internet, a number if independent studies showed that people spent between two and three times longer watching TV than they did on the internet. He also said that when it came to advertising, TV and online were complimentary, although TV still had the most payback for advertisers when it came to quality of time spent by consumers.

The flip side of the coin is that Korea’s media convergence has been put on fast track by the new government’s plans to fold the broadcasting and telecommunication regulators into one agency. This will surely have an implication for the rest of us as this move will help develop technology at a fair rate. My very small brain reads this as one of the most advanced technological territories in the world soon developing linear internet protocol TV. 

It seems that the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong have already moved ahead with full IPTV Launches. 

Celebrity Spotting - Take 2

And I saw James Nesbitt!

Celebrity spotting

I saw Huggy Bear!

BBC announce new home for iPlayer

I attended a conference today presented by Eric Huggers, Group Controller for BBC Future Media and Technology. He announced that the BBC have just signed a tie-up deal with Nintendo for the BBC iPlayer to be available on the Wii.                 I personally believe this is a great step as it means we’ll have the option of viewing iPlayer in a comfortable environment as well as on PCs, Macs and portable devices such as iPhone and iTouch.

Other interesting points from his talk included some user figures from            www.bbc.co.uk  for the first quarter of this year:

• There have been 42 million video requests with the average duration being 25mins.

• Top 10 shows included The Apprentice, Louis Theroux, Ashes to Ashes, and Torchwood, with The Apprentice being the first programme to break the 100,000 download barrier in ONE day.

• Plans for an embedded media player with share options.

• Future developments include the ability to personalise your iPlayer, download and stream HD content and have children’s programming via Cbeebies and CBBC available on a simple player that 3 and 4 year olds are happy to use.

Network Network Network

As Pete has already mentioned, events like MipTV/Milia are all about having the opportunity to meet and talk to like-minded people.

It’s been interesting listening to the various speakers at a number of seminars who are sharing their knowledge and experience. It confirms that what we are all doing to develop our businesses is going in the right direction! 

We had a very pleasant evening on Monday at a dinner hosted by South West Screen - it brought together a number of individuals from across the region and an opportunity for us all to share our experiences of the show. 

A big thanks to Johanna and Becky for being great hosts and for reminding everyone of the opportunities available to us through SW Screen.

The UK Indies stand was buzzing last night during their networking event - it was fantastic to see so many people. And what a great stand - a brilliant option for anyone considering  exhibiting here in the future. We have all the relevant details and info, so get in touch when we’re back in the UK.

Collaboration

I’ve attended this festival on a number of occassions with a clear remit regarding broadcast opportunities. This festival is very different. The general feeling amongst participants here is that there is an upturn in general linear telly fortunes. However, the real buzz is regarding the convergence elements. I have some interesting web sites as points of reference and I will  put these on line as soon as I get back.

The one clear message for me is that we have a great opportunity in Bristol to look at these new opportunites. When you consider the great range of production companies, together with broadcast support from companies like Films@59 as well as the really good multi media companies then we should get our heads together. The old approach appears to be that a production company will come up with a TV format and then once an idea is formalised then we consider the 360 angle as an add on. This is clearly not the way to work and as such we shoukld get all of the relevant discpiplines together at the earliest opportunity. 

A combined approach at an event like this ensures we have all of the information at our disposal. From a production perspective this event has been incredibly useful but I’m listening to lectures regarding emerging technology that I know you multi media guys would get a lot quicker than I do.

This is an expensive event to attend as well as taking a week away from the office. However, it could also be an expensive event to miss. We have already had initial discussions to look at ways to collaborate with UKTI and South West Screen to ensure that Bristol Media is inovative in it’s approach to these events, raises it’s profile and gets those all important commissions. We must look at this in more detail over the coming months and look at how collaboration can make this event a little more cost effective.

The next conference is called ‘Broadcasting - the digital age’. So more to follow 

Networking is key

As always seems the way, these events are driven by a barage of networking opportunities. We enjoyed the excellent company of a number of regional productions companies the other evening over dinner. It’s always encouraging to meet people working on our own doorstep to share experiences and contacts…..as well as spreading the Bristol Media word!

The UK Indies Stand has been a point of focus for us here and I would certainly encourage anyone not wanting to take their own stand at this event to consider speaking to South West Screen. The benefits of sharing a space is that you have a base, you can share facilities as well as work alongside similiar organisations.

Many thanks to Johanna and Becky from South West Screen for their excellent company and great support and help during the festival