FM&T at MediaCityUKShaping the BBC of the Future Innovation Culture in BBC Future Media & TechnologyJuly 2009Dr Adrian Woolard, Research & Development R&D North Lab

Official: Innovation became history in 2008

Renamed to:“Make something good that solves real problems, works reliably, is affordable, and is built by a happy, motivated and well rewarded staff” Culture

BBC Research & Development, Kingswood WarrenKingswood Warren – Home to “BBC Research” for the past 60 years.

A few key achievements… to date!1951 – World’s first TV standards converter1962 – First colour transatlantic TV transmission1965 – First tests of PAL colour TV transmission1968 – Standards converter used for Mexico City Olympics1969 – BBC1 starts colour transmissions1971 – World’s first demo of digital stereo audio recording1972 – CEEFAX launched1988 – RDS launched1990 – First trial of DAB1991 – NICAM stereo launched on BBC21995 – DAB launched2000 – World’s first digital radio camera demonstrated at NAB2002 – Freeview launched2007 – HDTV trial2008 – Freesat launched2008 – DVB-T2 Specification finalised, world-first to have signals on-air 7 Queen’s Awards + 4 Emmys

A day every 10 working days to spend on innovative ideasPitchingIdeas suggested by staffSubmitted on one A4 and pitched at monthly ‘Show & Tells’ SelectionJudged by a peer panelSprint developmentDeveloped and managed by the idea owner (plus any team) Sharing and commissioningLater - successful ideas are shared with commissioners and development groupsProject summaries are captured on the wiki

backstage is hackday & mashedCC flickr user: edward@debian.org

backstage is showcasing the best talent

Artists impression

"The North of England is home to a very significant proportion of the UK's population and yet we currently invest less there than in almost anywhere else. Yet from File on 4 to Granada's Royle Family, Manchester has delivered some of Britain's best network programmes. We want to build a great media centre populated with some of the strongest parts of the BBC, the parts which we know will still be strong twenty, thirty years from now. We want to create a new media lab for the north, working with an established academic and applied research community. We want to create an environment which is great to work in, which is state-of-the-art in terms of kit and working practices and which offers brilliant opportunities both for programme-making and for career progression". Mark Thompson, Director General, BBC

Our technology vision for MediaCityUKLead the way with IPTV and reinvent the Red ButtonWork in partnership with Content GroupsCreate engaging new learning & media literacy experiences Build a world class research laboratoryExploit the benefits of Digital Media Initiative A digital BBC Archive

Lead the way with IPTV and reinvent the Red Button

Work in partnership with Content Groups

Create engaging new learning & media literacy experiences

Build a world class research laboratory

Exploit the benefits of Digital Media Initiative

A digital BBC Archive

BBC - 5 depts (inc R & D)BBC Backstage Innovation LabsSchools/CollegesOther PSB’s Producers (eg. Sumners)Large corporatesUniversitiesJo Public (residents/ visitors)Website specialistsAdvertisersSocial media start-upsPublishersSpin-out companies (eg. gaming)Freelancers eg. Mobile developersBroadcast journalistsDesignersStudiosPhoto by unknown – my thanks

Artists impression

Photo by unknown – my thanks

Photo by unknown – my thanks

Photo by J. Linwood (BBC)

Artists impression

Towards 2012Future of Public Service Broadcasting?

Thank You!Dr Adrian WoolardProject Lead (R&D North) & Head of Innovation CultureBBC Research & Development Future Media & TechnologyNorth Lab, Room 1044, New Broadcasting HouseOxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJE: adrian.woolard@bbc.co.uk