4 TVBEurope Opinion The big picture By Fergal Ringrose


THE PURPOSE of our multi- writer IBC Wrap-Up section (starting page 26) is to tease out the trends and directions behind the big industry drivers at the event, across Ultra HD emergence, IT broadcast workflows, multi- platform content distribution and second screen strategies. Mark Hill says that ‘just as enthusiasm for 3D was waning this year, interest in big pictures was waxing’ — and the bit rates required for big picture delivery will ‘surely signal the death knell for copper cable-based infrastructure and conventional cross-point routing’. For David Kirk, the big story at IBC2012 was about ‘prices rather than technology. The adoption of software-based systems running on mass-produced computer platforms has unleashed unstoppable momentum in file-based editing and MAM, accelerated by the transition to file-based content capture’. Kirk says signs of affordable 4K Ultra HD infrastructure are already appearing on the market — well ahead even of industry estimates made at NAB. Ian McMurray observes that


10 July 2012 marked the fiftieth birthday of the first ever TV broadcast by satellite. At IBC, the excitement in the satellite world revolved around Ka-band, which offers increased spectrum and potential traffic compared to C-band and Ku-band. IBC saw an array of new


cameras and camera links (wired and wireless) launched onto the market. David Fox brings us the best of the new entries, and remarks, ‘even as broadcasters are just arriving at 1080p 50/60 HD, camera manufacturers are looking beyond that for the next big thing, which is, naturally, big — bigger sensors and bigger images, principally 4K’. From acquisition and


programme-making, through post and packaging to distribution, ad sales and sponsorship, good media management is cited as pivotal to future success, writes Russell Grute — whether that’s feeding existing audiences more cost effectively or trying to win new audiences in new places. So did IBC make things any clearer about more efficient and cost effective media management?


www.tvbeurope.com November 2012


EDITORIAL Editorial Director Fergal Ringrose


tvbeurope@mediateam.ie Media House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland +3531 294 7783 Fax: +3531 294 7799


Deputy Editor Melanie Dayasena-Lowe melanie.dayasena-lowe@intentmedia.co.uk


Staff Writer Jake Young


jake.young@intentmedia.co.uk


Intent Media London, 1st Floor, Suncourt House, 18-26 Essex Road, London N1 8LN, England +44 207 354 6002


Editorial Consultant Adrian Pennington Associate Editor David Fox USA Correspondent Carolyn Giardina Contributors Mike Clark, David Davies, Richard Dean, Chris Forrester, Mark Hill, Dick Hobbs, John Ive, George Jarrett, Heather McLean, Bob Pank, Nick Radlo, Neal Romanek, Philip Stevens, Reinhard E Wagner


Digital Content ManagerTim Frost Office Manager Lianne Davey


Head of Design & Production Adam Butler


Editorial Production Manager Dawn Boultwood


Senior Production Executive Alistair Taylor


Publisher Steve Connolly


Stress reduction at IBC2012: Can dual screen activity ease the pain for European broadcasters — if they can find the right business model?


Plenty of ‘big’ industry issues


to reflect on in this month’s edition, with our IBC Wrap-Up team. In the noise generated by the IBC show, one interesting piece of high-level research may have escaped your notice. The Avid broadcast survey was conducted from July through August 2012 by Ovum Research; over 200 decision makers from broadcast and post organisations in Europe and North America were interviewed. Among key findings were that


two thirds of executives believe the industry will grow over the next five years. 85% believe multi-platform distribution is critical to capturing new growth opportunities — and 78% think that within 10 years, most content will be customised based on the profile attributes of individual viewers. The top three drivers for


growth were identified by the Avid survey as increased audiences, multi-platform distribution and growth in ad revenues. Over three-quarters of respondents believed the internet will actually drive audiences to watch more broadcast/cable/ satellite TV. On more immediate


broadcast/post infrastructure topics, two-thirds said asset- based workflows will enable new business models, and over 70% said they will result in OPEX savings. While just 23% of respondents are using a cloud infrastructure today, over 75% are exploring cloud deployment.


Cloud was viewed by respondents as an enabler for new business and distribution models; a means to reduce infrastructure costs; and to enable new collaborative workflows. Announcing the survey results,


Avid CEO and Chairman Gary Greenfield commented, “This change in the relationship between broadcasters and their audiences also forces a change in business models — and places new demands on how compelling content is created, managed and delivered.”


The consumer view Understanding that changing relationship between broadcasters and their customers is critical to every content owner and media organisation. But how do the ‘customers’ see it? Just after IBC, Red Bee Media worked with digital media consultancy Decipher to poll more than 2,000 smart device owners across the UK on viewing habits and attitudes towards dual screen activity. The poll found that 86% of smart device owners have used their phone, tablet or computer while watching TV. 52% of respondents have used a second screen to find out more about a TV programme. And one third of smart device owners say they’re more likely to watch a show live rather than on-demand if there is significant social buzz around that programme. However, only 19% of


respondents positively rate their


ability to engage with TV shows. This would strongly suggest that most broadcasters have plenty of work to do in order to make the second-screen experience seamless with the first. On the flip side, respondents


who have used synchronous companion apps do like them. 78% think smart devices are a better way to engage with favourite TV shows — the most popular activities being polls or voting (55%) and the ability to participate/play along (52%). So, can dual screening be used to generate revenue streams for broadcasters? The survey found that 44% of dual screeners already use their second screen to find out more about brands or advertising. 56% are open to receiving targeted ads through synchronous apps based on products featured on TV, and 30% would be more inclined to engage with ads if offered via a smart device while watching TV. On the findings, Stella Medlicott from Red Bee Media said, “There is no doubt that second screening is here to stay… This new behaviour represents a fantastic opportunity for broadcasters, platforms and content owners to take their engagement with viewers beyond the primary TV screen and monetise it. The challenge for us, though, as an industry, is to understand how we can work together to devise a business model that works right across the value chain.”


steve.connolly@intentmedia.co.uk +44 207 354 6000


Sales Manager Ben Ewles


ben.ewles@intentmedia.co.uk +44 207 354 6000


Managing Director Stuart Dinsey US SALES


Michael Mitchell


Broadcast Media International, PO Box 44, Greenlawn, New York, NY 11740


mjmitchell@broadcast-media.tv +1 (631) 673 0072


JAPAN AND KOREA SALES Sho Harihara Sales & Project,


Yukari Media Incorporated sho@yukarimedia.com +81 6 4790 2222 Fax: +81 6 4793 0800


CIRCULATION


Intent Media, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough LE16 9EF, UK


FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS


www.subscription.co.uk/cc/tvbe/mag1 Subscriptions Tel +44 1858 438786


TVBEurope is published 12 times a year by Intent Media London, 1st Floor, Suncourt House, 18-26 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN, England


Intent Media is a member of the Periodical Publishers Association


© Intent Media 2012. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the copyright owners. TVB Europe is mailed to qualified persons residing on the European continent. Subscription rates £64/€96/$120.


Allow 8 weeks for new subscriptions and change of address delivery. Send subscription inquiries to: Subscription Dept, Intent Media, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough LE16 7BR, England. ISSN 1461-4197


Printing by Pensord Press, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2YA


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60