BBC New Media to work closer with independent sector

In three separate initiatives confirmed this week, BBC New Media has signalled its intention to work even more closely with the independent sector, to provide BBCi users with compelling interactive services across the web and digital TV.
BBC Director of New Media & Technology, Ashley Highfield, revealed the BBCi Production Handbook during his controller session at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival on August 23.
The handbook aims to improve the commissioning process for independent production companies by providing them with a simple reference to BBCi's production standards and guidelines.
Highfield also announced during his session that he is looking to independent companies to pitch for a number of cross-media and cross-platform stand alone services that will be available through BBCi both on the web and digital TV.
Confirmation of the projects will be announced in the autumn, although teams across the BBC have already been set up to ensure the initiative hits the ground running.
The announcements follow Highfield's statement at last year's Television Festival that his division wanted to work more closely with the independent sector.
The two moves follow on from a successful meeting between BBC New Media and BBC Television executives and independent producers on July 29, when the BBC openly presented PACT members with details of its enhanced interactive commissioning processes.
The event, organised in conjunction with PACT - the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television - was designed to give independent producers an insight into the BBC's commissioning processes for enhanced TV, as well as outlining the "tools" that would be made available to them if they won an eTV commission.
Highfield said of these initiatives: "BBC New Media has already worked on a number of very successful BBCi projects involving independent production companies including Test the Nation where we worked with both Talent TV and Two Way TV.
"This is the next step forward. A closer working relationship with the independent sector can only be to the benefit of everyone.
"By complementing the BBC gene pool in this way, we can complement the BBC's in-house talent and expertise to create the best possible interactive services for our licence fee payers.
"We would welcome and indeed will seek out feedback on these guidelines from the Indies and from PACT."
John McVay, Chief Executive of PACT, said: "PACT welcomes the BBC's initial steps to increase opportunities for independent content creators to work with BBCi. PACT looks forward to working closely with BBCi."
(GB)