We were there at the start

Sam Scott Wood introduces YouView – where TV meets the internet

was introduced to YouView (or an open technical standard (think million homes (YouView’s initial target Canvas as it was called then) at html, which is a technical standard for market of current Freeview users) The Media Festival Arts (TMFA) the web), an open technical platform is certainly an attractive prospect, at the Roundhouse in September and a user interface. Delivered but will the arts end up a small fish in 2010. According to the website, via a set-top box and an internet another big pond, as it has on TV and ‘YouView will change the way you connection, YouView will provide the internet? Anthony Rose, Chief watch TV forever’. A bold claim, for free-to-air digital TV from the partner Technology Officer for YouView, sure, but one thing those involved broadcasters, plus previously aired has made the point that one of its stressed was that there are still plenty programmes, and the facility to pause strengths is its limited size (it’s UK of unanswered questions: how it and record live television. In addition, only and will focus primarily on media will look, how it will work, what the because YouView has been built to content), but unless you’re the Royal potential problems or opportunities open standards, any content producer Opera House or the National Theatre might be. All of which makes will be able to build portals and add will anyone find you? YouView’s launch (scheduled for the content (on-demand services like The user interface will make all the / Sugarfree Istockphoto.com first half of 2011) seem awfully close. Lovefilm are already signed up). difference here. The danger is that I find the lack of connection YouView will also allow developers arts content remains hidden and between TV and the internet really to create apps providing access accessed only by those who know it’s frustrating. All the technology’s there, to and running alongside content. there, a great boost to accessibility, so what’s the problem? TV’s red There might be an app that lets but hardly reaching new audiences. A button is slow and underused. Online you share what you’re watching well-designed interface could open on-demand services like iPlayer and with friends, links to existing social up all sorts of connections, not only 4OD are great, but I’d rather watch networks like Twitter, apps with across arts content, but also between on a TV. And live-streamed content additional content sitting alongside arts content and content from the on a computer usually means low programmes, and that’s just the start. main broadcasters. quality and frequent interruptions. The open platform means the sky’s There’s also still a major, and so There are exceptions, but in general the limit – just look at the explosion far unanswered, question about it’s a fragmented and disappointing of the mobile app market. The key, cost. Kip Meek believes that making experience. as stressed by Kip Meek, Chair of content provision cheap for the Could YouView be the answer? YouView, will be for all this to be artistic community is a ‘deliverable At TMFA John Woodward (Chief delivered via a simple user interface objective’, but cheap is a relative term Executive of the UK Film Council) (features already announced include – it remains to be seen what this will described it as a ‘game changer’, and a search function and the facility to mean in practice. There is certainly the despite definite reservations from the deliver regional and local content potential for revenue development – panel and the audience there was also based on an IP address or postcode). content providers will be able to a sense of real excitement. So, it sounds great for consumers create and experiment with business Developed by a partnership of the and broadcasters, but what could models. Content could be free to air, BBC, ITV, , Five, Talk Talk and it mean for the arts? Arts Council pay-per-view; arts organisations could , YouView has been conceived England is firmly behind the project even create digital subscription or as the successor to Freeview, as well as and at TMFA Liz Forgan announced membership schemes. the UK’s first major IPTV platform. It’s that ACE will be developing practical YouView could give audiences already had its share of controversy, classes and resources to help arts access to arts archives, with only recently deciding organisations engage with YouView, documentation and all sorts of other not to investigate a complaint from as part of a partnership with the existing material. Perhaps even more and IPVision. BBC Academy. exciting is the potential to create YouView consists of three elements: Getting arts content onto TVs in 19 new content and particularly live

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broadcast, which until has been If so, YouView really could be a game out of reach for most of the sector. changer. It could offer new ways There might be opportunities for for us to engage and connect with new collaborations, both to produce audiences, new ways for audiences content and increase visibility; to encounter the arts, and even new working collaboratively on portals artistic forms and experiences. With so might be one way for the arts to much still unknown about what might increase its YouView footprint. be created on this platform, now is the At TMFA someone leaned across to time to think creatively about what we me and said, ‘If this comes off, in five might do on YouView. years we’ll be saying we were there at the start.’ It’s still a big IF.

IF the user interface is well designed and content can be easily found … Resources www..com Sam Scott Wood IF the costs aren’t prohibitive … All presentations from TMFA are available Marketing and Development Manager to watch online at www.roundhouse.org.uk/ Artsadmin IF the take-up is as wide as YouView whats-on/productions/live-now-the-media- e [email protected] hopes … festival-arts Twitter @samscottwood

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