SMG reveals new digital strategy and name change
SMG has announced plans to change the name of its business to stv Group plc.
The move was announced as the broadcaster revealed its new digital strategy, based around its website - stv.tv. The company is building its digital platform to feature network and regional programming, which will be promoted to an available audience of four million viewers via the stv television channel.
At an analyst event in Glasgow, stv’s head of new media Alistair Brown outlined the strategy for the next three years, which is based around developing capability; radically improving platforms; and expanding content.
stv is preparing the business for the future by building its digital team in sales, editorial and web development, with the aim of becoming Scotland’s essential online source of information and entertainment.
At the heart of the strategy is the forthcoming launch of a new "world class" video site, which will allow users to access simulcast, catch-up and archive services across stv and network programming. The new video service will go live later in the summer.
The new video site will deliver a flash-based user experience and has been developed in partnership with global online video platform company, Brightcove.
Through the partnership, stv will make available regionally produced material across news, sport, entertainment and drama as well as national material from the ITV network, including shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Selected material from stv’s 50 year old archive of 200,000 hours of material will also be accessible.
stv will take advantage of the new Brightcove 3 platform to publish video clips and full programme episodes with rich editorial content, social media applications, and links to similar videos that will make videos discoverable through text search engines and increase online video usage across the new site.
It will also enable stv to provide HD quality online viewing experiences for full-length programming.