Sally Jackson | August 28, 2008
THE ABC has forged partnerships with fellow public broadcasters in Britain and Canada to pool ideas on emerging broadcasting technologies as it seeks to cement its foothold in the rapidly evolving digital world.
The national broadcaster's next digital drawcard, planned for a November launch, would be a mobile interactive kiosk that would enable viewers to tape themselves talking about whatever they want.Looking something like a photo booth and equipped with a touch-screen monitor, the kiosk has been designed to capture broadcast-quality content, potentially allowing the material to be used in TV and radio programs.
Representatives of the ABC, the BBC and CBC had begun monthly teleconferences and the networks were exploring opportunities to work together, said Dan Fill, head of ABC TV's multi-platform division.
"We recognised we were all dealing with similar issues in a lot of areas," he said. "So rather than consistently reinventing the wheel ... we are talking about what we are doing and opening up our files for peer review."
The multi-platform department is responsible for all of ABC TV's digital developments, including program websites and video podcasting.
Its latest innovation, web TV service iView, has proved a hit since its launch a month ago, averaging 14,000 visits a day and logging a total of 861,000 views.
Overall, traffic to the ABC TV homepage had doubled in the past year, Mr Fill said.
"Our main focus is on being relevant to the audience on all platforms. People are looking for more than just watching TV shows that are pushed out at them," he said.
"The biggest problem we have with user-generated content is that what people are saying and doing is great but the quality is so poor we can't use it."
Also in development for a planned November release was Storm Hawks World, a multi-user virtual world for 8 to 12-year-olds. It is based on the Canadian boys action series Storm Hawks and built using Australian technology.
"Kids will be able to create digital versions of themselves (which can) play games and do collaborative events, all in a 3D environment based on Storm Hawks," Mr Fill said. "These days, it isn't enough to watch a show. You have to be in it."
Under construction for the new year was an online game to accompany kids show Escape From Scorpion Island that the ABC and BBC were working on together (see Diary).
Forming a connection with young people was crucial, Mr Fill said.
"If we can create content that meets their needs then we remain relevant as a broadcaster."
The broadcaster was also closely following developments in touch-screen devices as well as the even more futuristic gestural and voice-activated technologies.
"In Asia right now there are some exciting TV prototypes where you move your hand to increase and decrease the volume and you can press in the air to change channels," Mr Fill said.
"We haven't put any investment in that yet but, seeing the trends, it might be worth it down the track. We are keen to explore touchscreen technology. If we had additional funds that is where we would invest some energy."
However, Mr Fill said keeping up to date would require additional funding.
"iView was done without any additional funding to the ABC at all," he said. "There's a breaking point where you can't put out this level of technology and innovation (without more money)."