It seems to me that the last few weeks in the world of ‘the media’ every one seems to be thinking about the future. The BBC released its ‘Creative Futures’ document, where is discussed plan about its future, by suggesting new ways for it to develop. This was followed by the “We media” conference, hosted by both the BBC and Reuters, where media institutions went along and discussed the new developments, especially around citizen journalism and blogs.
This weekend was Radio 1’s Big weekend in Dundee, where a massive festival/ concert took place. But for the first time in its history it was not just broadcast on radio, it was broadcast on BBC 3 as well as being steamed over the internet. For me this was an amazing thing, I currently don’t live in an area where the digital signal is good enough to get BBC 3 clearly, so the internet was a new way for me to be part of the event. I didn’t really want to have the radio on all day!
Even though web steaming is not new, and watching video on the net isn’t new either, it still amazes me that radio stations are taking interactivity more seriously. I took a look at the website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio1) where I was able to watch footage of a certain band as well as pictures taken of the concert. I’m loving the fact that Radio 1 is offering all these services to its listeners……I’m excited to see what the future holds.
The BBC, for me as a broadcasting student, is inspiring me at the moment. They are experimenting with all these new media experiences. Recently I’ve been watching The Apprentice online and Never Mind the Buzzcocks on the BBC 2 Broadband site, as well as watching the Tardisodes for Doctor Who. These ‘viewing on demand services’ are going to be the way of the future, with the growing development of digital PVR’s we will see that this is the future of broadcasting.
Many journalists have suggested that these new services will be the death of linear television, I don’t believe this to be so. Many people still switch on the television just to see what is on. The television is not dead yet my son….neither is “broadcasting” itself.
Recently I have being downloading a lot of podcasts…now these I see as the future for radio. The BBC does a great listen again service….but sometimes you don’t always have access to the internet…and just your ipod with you. There is so much veriety and you can get shows from other stations that you might not usually listen to in the car or at home.
One that I have been listening to intently is the podcast produced by the media guardian blog writers… which is great and I suggest anyone who is interested in the media to have a listen (media.guardian.co.uk)
The media is developing……but in a better way than people expected!
