BBC Technology rebrands to reflect ‘bigger focus’ on user experience for content
BBC Technology has rebranded to BBC Engineering, a move chief technology officer Matthew Postgate says signal its commitment to “solving broadcast problems” and delivering more internet based content.
Postgate, who joined as technology chief last July, said the new structure is more closely aligned to the BBC’s product areas such as iPlayer, news, and sport.
“By partnering with editorial teams, we will create the systems, software and set-up to make sure engineering can support the specific needs of BBC TV, Radio, News, Sport and Children's, and drive innovation where we see potential,” he explained.
“We are also taking a much bigger focus on user experience and design for all the tools and software in our studios - a lesson from the consumer world that makes complete sense behind the scenes too. Ultimately, this will enable us to better work with our programme makers and make it easier for them to get the most out of new technology.”
The overhaul comes amid the continued rise of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, both of which have ramped up their focus on delivering original content.
Postgate said the BBC Engineering’s challenge is to take advantage of this rapidly changing media environment as well as navigate new technologies such as virtual reality and how they shape the way content is made as well as delivered.
“The digital world is changing broadcasting fast and the technology making it all possible is, essentially, the internet. It’s not only changing the way people watch and listen to programmes, it will change the way we make them too. And we will increasingly use the internet to deliver programmes and services to you in the future,” he continued.
“This opens the door to entirely new forms of content that are much more data-intensive than audio or video – things like Ultra-HD or virtual reality for example.”
Postgate eyed the Olympic Games as markers for progress: “What kinds of experiences could we provide in 2020 or 2024 if the nation had universal high speed broadband and a broadcast infrastructure designed to take advantage of it?”
He also said BBC Engineering will drive financial efficiency, citing innovation behind much of the corporation's £1.1bn of savings since 2007. It will continue to move away from “monolithic, long term contracts” towards multiple shorter-term contracts with a number of specialist companies.
“We need to be more flexible, get quicker access to new technology as it emerges, and ensure we get the best possible value for licence fee payers,” he said.
Postgate previously led the BBC’s research and development arm and was part of the team that launched the iPlayer service.