Why the Scottish Press needs to get into TV: Atholl Duncan, BBC head of news, interview
In the week where BBC Scotland's head of news Atholl Duncan announced that he was to leave the corporation, we publish excerpts of an interview him.
Sitting in his office, on the top of floor of the BBC's Pacific Quay building, Atholl Duncan is in a good position to view the Scottish media scene - not least of all because it is probably the highest newsroom in the land.
He acknowledges that demarcation lines between traditional print and broadcast markets are getting less pronounced, and that the BBC is now in more direct competition with the traditional print players than ever before, before asking: “There is a big challenge for newspapers like The Scotsman and The Herald – how do they create a compelling digital offering?”
The solution he suggests might blur the demarcation line still further. With the BBC led project YouView now on the launch pad, he argues that the service - which will effectively merge TV and internet services - could be the answer publishers are looking for.
“Personally, I think newspapers have to think a lot more about video," he said. "If you look at the Sky News app for example it is all about video."
“A lot of stuff online is all about the video treatment. YouView will mean that, as far as news is concerned, the internet and television will become one.
“And it will be absolutely crucial at that stage that you have a video offering. YouView has the potential to be the biggest change in the industry since the development of the internet itself. It allows everybody to become a broadcaster.”
Tomorrow Atholl Duncan gives his views on the Scottish Digital Network. Read yesterday's instalment.
Duncan announced this morning that he was set to leave the BBC to take up the role of executive director, UK and Global for accountancy body ICAS.