Sunday, January 20, 2008

BBC Ups Game

The idea was greeted with howls of "foul"; the corporation has done much to quell that, particularly with newspapers.

Some might have even thought the idea was permanently shelved after the BBC's financial cut backs.

But hyperlocal is back on the agenda.

Reported in Press Gazette this week, the BBC unveils a prototype for ultra local news TV.

Andy Griffins reveals details of the BBC's plans.

Last year I spoke to Andy and his number two ( I recorded an interview and presentation) and the plans as they were then, based on market research, were awesome.
I'll post that soon.

But hyperlocal sets up the dna of news as how its should be in the 21st century. News you can use.

Channel One TV coined that phrase: news you can use, in carving up london boroughs during its reporting/programme cycle.

It works.

Viewers will far more tune into a network which delivers door-step information, mixed with informative, education, entertaining national, and world news.


The question for newspapers is have they done enough, before the BBC's launches.

Brand value and a deep understanding of TV and videojournalism; the BBC has some 900 waiting to be deployed across their sites, some of whom are working regional already, versus brand value (local newspapers) riding the curve of videojournalism.

One things sure, inspite of all olive branches and the desire(?) by the BBC to work with local outfits, there will be casualties.

Back in my neigbourhood, I'll be giving a local feel of hyperlocal with a one off launch of a mag on viewmagazine.tv

This is the year of IPTV, hyperlocal, and maturing web video - as if we didn't know

1 comment:

Cliff said...

David - How does this affect those like myself who live in small markets - say 175,000 population that already is saturated with three TV stations? Having said that, the quality of content coming out of these stations in my local market are quite honestly - sub par.

Secondly - how is web video going to be effectively monetized? The current iteration of TV advertising is becoming painfully clear as to being ineffective for those viewing video online - and isn't producing cash flow as expected.

This, I feel, is the holy grail for those seeking to work as web video journalists and until ad revenue streams can be effectively put to use, we are only holding onto a dream that may very well fade away.

Looking forward to seeing you this May in Chicago :)

Cheers,

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
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