Channel 4 Scoops IBC2012 Innovation Award

Channel 4 has been awarded an IBC2012 Innovation Award for its implementation of an app developed in partnership with KIT digital, for its 4oD video-on-demand service. This innovative app extends 4oD to the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console and leverages the Xbox Kinect's Voice and Natural User Interfaces, allowing users to browse and choose video content using intuitive gesture and voice controls.
A leading video management software and services company, KIT digital developed the app with technology partners Microsoft, Red Bee Media, Akamai, 24/7 Realmedia and Metabroadcast. The gesture and voice activated control features are fundamental to the 4oD user experience, setting the broadcaster's on-demand service apart from competitive offers and positioning Channel 4 to leverage the Xbox as a video delivery platform to drive future revenue streams.
"On behalf of our partners at KIT digital, and the Xbox development people at Microsoft, I am absolutely delighted to be accepting this IBC Innovation Award," said Sarah Milton, head of VOD, Channel 4. "We were the first broadcaster in the world to launch a comprehensive video-on-demand service and our audience can now literally move and talk their way to watching their favourite programmes. Thank you IBC for the award, and thank you to all our viewers in the UK for making it such a runaway success."
Launched in December 2011, the app has driven consumer demand for the 4oD offering with over 653,000 downloads in the first 10 days, and paid-for advertising sold out in two days. Its use is higher than forecast, making the app a significant contributor to Channel 4's 2012 forecast of 4oD views.
(CD)