BT has a New Media Vision
Friday, October 12th, 2007IPTV goes all interactive
BT Vision will be promoting a new TV concept currently titled New Media 2, or NM2, for its BT Vision IPTV platform. Ostensibly, New Media 2 allows viewers to shape the narrative of a TV show or series via the interactivity of an IPTV service, allowing for multiple choice endings to programmes.
So rather than producers filming a linear story-line based, New Media 2 programmes will have a back-end loaded up with multiple storylines and plot options.
We imagine that NM2 programmes would be a bit like those old sword and sorcery adventure books and a BBC debate show (the name of which I currently can’t remember) when viewers were invited to phone in at the end of a terrestrial TV show, to vote for their preferred storyline conclusion. Rather than phoning in midway through a broadcast, viewers would be able to press the red button and choose from a list of options, rather like a televised RPG game.
“The back-end system will be loaded up with multiple storylines and options, so it’s not a process whereby viewers react and the producers make something based on that,” says Richard Griffiths, Director of Technology Strategy and Development at BT Vision. “We have developed the production tools that would sit alongside a video editing suite, but you have to shoot what you need before you do this.”
With directors therefore having to shoot what they need before they hit the edit suites, this is going to potentially drive up the costs of commissioning an NM2 series, especially if an ambitious director writes and shoots a multi-faceted script of staggering complexity with no conceivable ending in sight (possibly involving a plane crash on some island or something) – BT Vision are currently looking at how they can subsidise the venture, either through paying for a subscription or extra pay per view costs.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Why do we have to have pay-per-view anyway. Does these companies not make enough profit already?
November 1st, 2007 at 10:54 pm
(that Sky would support Michael Grade ITV’s executive chairman, on any important votes.)
No doubt Mr Grade will get some kind of backhander for playing ball.
Do you really think the general public walk around with their eyes closed?
November 7th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
That’s business, but you are totally right.
Although the technology seems good but will it work???
November 7th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_Per_View
December 18th, 2007 at 11:02 am
“Rather than phoning in midway through a broadcast, viewers would be able to press the red button and choose from a list of options, rather like a televised RPG game.”
I hope they bring back an interactive version of Knightmare.
‘Side step left! LEFT!’
‘Oh dear, you seem to have been slain by giant winged skull…’
Heh.