THE North West could become the UK’s centre of excellence for new technology that brings the internet to viewers’ television sets – that’s the message from creative support agency Vision & Media.
The organisation is launching a new scheme to help regional production companies develop Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) content for the BBC.
Liverpool software developers Citrus Suite and Onteca won funding from a previous project – now Vision & Media wants more Merseyside companies to bid for a share of its £50,000 IPTV development fund.
Figures from the Multimedia Research Group show that revenues from IPTV services are set to grow from £5.9bn in 2009 to £15.7bn in 2013.
The most high-profile IPTV platform is YouView, which was developed under the working title Project Canvas by a consortium including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. But other platforms, such as Boxee and Apple TV, are also available – while many other platforms are being developed in other countries.
IPTV means people will be able to download programmes and view the internet on their television sets. It builds on existing technology, including Freeview and on-demand TV services.
Enda Carey, sector lead for games, digital and creative services at Vision & Media, said: “We believe that IPTV is going to be huge.
“Boxee, YouView and Google TV are around the corner, and existing online services such as Hulu, Apple TV and SeeSaw are here already.
“There is a massive opportunity for content and service providers to realise the potential of developing for IPTV platforms.
“We can help establish the North West as a centre of excellence for IPTV development.
“MediaCityUK and BBC Future Media & Technology will be on our doorstep in Salford Quays, and we will build on the North West’s status as the biggest creative hub outside London.”
Using support from Vision & Media’s previous IPTV support programme, Citrus Suite worked with the BBC to create a prototype showing how viewers could interact directly with BBC programmes.
Chris Morland, development director at Citrus Suite in Liverpool, said: “That programme was all about building bridges between small companies and the likes of the BBC and Sony.”
Conker Media, the multimedia subsidiary of Liverpool’s Lime Pictures, is also looking to create content for IPTV platforms.
Vision & Media is hosting an event in Manchester on Wednesday, December 1, for companies who want to find more about IPTV.
For information, visit www.visionandmedia.co.uk
