BBC Worldwide secures first interactive licensing deal

BBC Worldwide and ABC New Media in Australia have concluded a deal which will bring Australian audiences an interactive service to accompany the six-part blue-chip BBC science series 'Walking With Beasts'.
BBC's 'Walking With Beasts Interactive' will be broadcast through the ABC’s services on the Austar digital satellite platform and Optus’ digital cable iTV service from July 4 at 8pm. The service will offer an enhanced viewing experience for the audience, with an array of additional elements – from alternative commentaries and extra video footage to textual information – at the touch of a button.
By special arrangement, ABC on Austar and Optus will broadcast the interactive version of each episode continuously for 24 hours, allowing viewers to explore the documentary at their leisure and in a variety of ways.
Jonathan Crane, BBC Worldwide’s Director of Commercial Broadband, said: “This agreement represents a major milestone for BBC Worldwide. It is a tribute to the BBC’s pioneering work in developing interactive TV and to the commitment and enthusiasm of ABC, Austar and Optus – getting the project off the ground was a technical challenge and it is thanks to their dedication that it was possible.”
ABC New Media Director, Lynley Marshall, said: “We believe the BBC 'Walking With Beasts Interactive' offers audiences a whole new experience in engaging with content and will challenge and inspire documentary makers in the future. This initiative also provides a valuable opportunity for ABC New Media to gain skills in working with interactive content. ”
Each episode is designed with intuitive navigation and easy-to-follow prompts that lead the viewer through the service, whilst offering a high level of choice and interactive features. The content is synchronised for play out on four parallel video streams, providing a truly interactive TV documentary experience.
With various levels of interactive content designed to suit all entry levels, viewers can view the programme in a linear format, change narration for a more in-depth scientific running commentary or can call up on screen facts during the transmission.
In total, the interactive version of 'Walking With Beasts' provides four hours of additional video content (all shot on digi-beta), three hours of alternative commentary and 700 complementary text boxes.
The programme makers interviewed over 50 of the world’s top palaeontologists in eight different countries, and consulted over 400 leading experts in mammalian evolution to compile the additional information.
BBC Worldwide, www.bbcworldwide.com
(GMcG)