It unbelievable how bad the BBC is about exploiting its archive - it not just TV it the radio - all those plays / shows. I don’t know technically how these could be remastered but must be something the grades could pickup
Just a small point of fact for the record: "It should be noted that the UK was way out in front of the streaming migration - BBC launched their iPlayer in 2007, shortly after Netflix started streaming its content, ITV and Channel 4 quickly followed suit." In line with its remit to innovate, Channel 4 launched 4oD (later All4, now tellingly Channel 4 (app)) before the iPlayer in November 2006 (using much the same tech). At the time "Do It First" was the first of C4's trio of values.
I was in the multiplatform department of C4 at the time - 4oD was identical to All4, it was largely a branding change. Also 4oD was made with the same tech (and by some of the same people) as iPlayer. Not important though other than C4 deserves the credit of having moved first & pioneered.
You're correct that the world is changing how it accesses shows. While Netflix is the current winner, longer term even they will struggle with AI as people move away from clicking on a channel/app and just type: 'Find me a show like Derry Girls.'
The way public broadcasting and the general creative scene is funded needs to change. Currently, we (the UK public) are a 'charity' for global media. We fund the risk for 80% of our shows but let 'Super-Indies' (owned by global giants) keep the IP.
My thoughts are that a structural fix is required. We should turn the public from 'license payers' into Equity Shareholders. We stop caring if our shows are watched on YouTube or Netflix because, as the IP owners, we get the 'Affinity' revenue back to fund our own ecosystem. We shouldn't be building a 'better BBC app'; we should be building a National Content Portfolio that wins in the merged ecosystem you’re describing.
This is a great digest for the UK Evan and I can experience this from a few different angles.
I’ve worked in post production audio mainly in telly for years, but as someone on the ground it’s shifted from your normal broadcasters and satellite channels to more indies releasing straight to distributors or going at it alone.
As someone on ground I’ve realised I have to diversify, I seem to pick up more film work and podcasts now, along with teaching etc. I love working in tv but you can’t deny the data.
And as a punter my kids find it such a novelty when we stay in hotels and the only thing we can get is broadcast tv like CBeebies etc. They don’t understand why you can’t watch what you want on demand.
This is sooo relevant today.
We have a glut of university media grads in UK…and no jobs…but a big archive in BBC
They could surely be employed to bring unique content and commentary to streaming platforms….but but but…we are stuck in an old boys world 😢
It unbelievable how bad the BBC is about exploiting its archive - it not just TV it the radio - all those plays / shows. I don’t know technically how these could be remastered but must be something the grades could pickup
Just a small point of fact for the record: "It should be noted that the UK was way out in front of the streaming migration - BBC launched their iPlayer in 2007, shortly after Netflix started streaming its content, ITV and Channel 4 quickly followed suit." In line with its remit to innovate, Channel 4 launched 4oD (later All4, now tellingly Channel 4 (app)) before the iPlayer in November 2006 (using much the same tech). At the time "Do It First" was the first of C4's trio of values.
4oD was not a streaming platform. It was a Download-to-Own/Rent Model. So while it was earlier, it was not a streaming platform.
I was in the multiplatform department of C4 at the time - 4oD was identical to All4, it was largely a branding change. Also 4oD was made with the same tech (and by some of the same people) as iPlayer. Not important though other than C4 deserves the credit of having moved first & pioneered.
You're correct that the world is changing how it accesses shows. While Netflix is the current winner, longer term even they will struggle with AI as people move away from clicking on a channel/app and just type: 'Find me a show like Derry Girls.'
The way public broadcasting and the general creative scene is funded needs to change. Currently, we (the UK public) are a 'charity' for global media. We fund the risk for 80% of our shows but let 'Super-Indies' (owned by global giants) keep the IP.
My thoughts are that a structural fix is required. We should turn the public from 'license payers' into Equity Shareholders. We stop caring if our shows are watched on YouTube or Netflix because, as the IP owners, we get the 'Affinity' revenue back to fund our own ecosystem. We shouldn't be building a 'better BBC app'; we should be building a National Content Portfolio that wins in the merged ecosystem you’re describing.
Here is how we can do this:
https://somebritthoughts.substack.com/p/the-british-cultural-pass-a-fairer
This is a great digest for the UK Evan and I can experience this from a few different angles.
I’ve worked in post production audio mainly in telly for years, but as someone on the ground it’s shifted from your normal broadcasters and satellite channels to more indies releasing straight to distributors or going at it alone.
As someone on ground I’ve realised I have to diversify, I seem to pick up more film work and podcasts now, along with teaching etc. I love working in tv but you can’t deny the data.
And as a punter my kids find it such a novelty when we stay in hotels and the only thing we can get is broadcast tv like CBeebies etc. They don’t understand why you can’t watch what you want on demand.
Love your work
I love watching kids walk up to televisions and touch the screen as if it's an ipad and wonder why they can get right to youtube. Thanks Tom!
When my ones were little, they used to do that for ages.
There has got to be a metaphor in that to explain where tv is headed surely!
Lots of very valid points, esp. in relation to publicly funded content being distributed to where consumers are vs where they were.