Innovation Awards 2008 - 2009
The RTS Innovation Awards 2009 were presented on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at Bafta, 195 Piccadilly, London, W1. The evening was hosted by Jeff Henry, Brent Hoberman, Martha Lane Fox and David Lowen.
Sponsored by BBC, BSkyB, ITV, Microsoft, Virgin Media Television.
For Further Information Contact:
Lindsey Cran, Events Manager, Royal Television Society
Tel: 020 7822 2825
E-mail: Lindsey@rts.org.uk
For immediate release: 10 November 2009
Raising The Bar Award
Ingex Automated Tapeless Production BBC Research & Development
“The judges felt that this nominee had ‘without a doubt’ raised the bar in a dramatic style by expanding the scope of an already proven industry development that will now bring greater efficiency, flexibility and faster production turnaround times to many programme undertakings – and all at a cost that makes it a really practical proposition.”
Nominees
BBC Research & Development - High Frame Rate Television Experiment - July-September 2008 BBC Research & Development
The World’s First 3D Satellite Broadcast: Rugby Live: Calcutta Cup - Scotland v England BBC Sport Co-Production with Can Communicate in Association with Inition and Axis
Gizmo Award
PAM2-3G16 David Lambert and David Lyon (Celtic Audio) with Chris Exelby and Martin Dyster (TSL Professional Products Group)
“The jury recognised that getting audio right these days is in many cases becoming more tricky than video and this new audio monitor brings real operational convenience to the increasingly hectic broadcast environment.”
On Target Award
Bugbears Magic Lantern Productions and Studio Liddell for BBC Children's
“In choosing the winner the jury selected the development that they said built on the loyalty that the mainstream industry can generate amongst its audiences. From that position of trust it has created a new approach that allows its individual viewers to express themselves confidently, find encouragement and seek reassurance.”
Nominees
Advanced Text-To-Speech Technology Ocean Blue Software with RNIB, STMicroelectronics and TW Electronics
Beamups - The Online Global News Marketplace - www.beamups.com Beamups
On The Move Award
Sky News iPhone Application
“The jury reported they loved this application – it is clear, effective, offers excellent video quality and is highly rated among those who use it. It will be fascinating, they commented, to see how Sky fully exploits the development’s sharing capacity that allows viewers to connect to Sky and submit their own eyewitness or user-generated material.”
Under The Bonnet Award
Contribution of BBC R&D to DVB-T2 (Freeview HD) BBC Research & Development
“[The Jury] gave their decision to a project that they say will transform the viewing experience of millions – a project that has called for technical ingenuity, patient determination and international cooperation - and which keeps Britain in the forefront of the digital revolution.”
Nominees
BBC PNg (Portable Newsgathering Innovation) BBC with Technical Assistance from BLStream
Sky+HD Guide BSkyB
User-Generated Content Award
Landshare KEO Digital, Mint Digital and Channel 4
“The judges felt that the award should go to a project that they feel reinvents the viewer/user/programme maker relationship and which is making a fundamental difference to the way key issues of the moment can be addressed. A project whose success demonstrates as one judge put it “how television can make a difference”.”
Nominees
Digital Storytelling Gareth Morlais and Karen Lewis for BBC Wales
Sexperience / The Sex Experience Show - www.channel4.com/sexperienceuk Mint Digital & Cheetah Television for Channel 4
Judges’ Award
iPlayer
“The judges looked across the industry for an individual, a team or a development which, in our opinion, has shown great vision in determining how the media might develop in the future and how we all will relate to the changing aspects of communication. The Judges’ Award should be for something that maps out where others will follow.
In June 2007 I was sitting in ITV working on our own plans to deliver a video platform which would transform the way consumers enjoyed the wonderful world of video content. Although we did beat it to market, it was on December 25th 2007 that the BBC gave the nation the Christmas present of iPlayer. Previously known as the integrated media player (or imp) the impact was certainly both immediate and profound. After a number of trials and delays and even criticism that no finished product had been released after 4 years, it finally had arrived. But wow, was it worth waiting for!! A strategic relationship with the last winner of the RTS Judge’s Award, Adobe, led to a world leading streaming service, setting new standards in simple consumer interface. Making the unmissable... unmissable encapsulated the value of content, coupled with simply damn good delivery. And crucially it worked and worked well. The iPlayer is claimed to account for around 5% of all UK internet traffic and recently announced a trial on FreeSat.
On Virgin Media alone, since June 2008 it has allowed 200 million programmes to be viewed on catch up. There have been great British innovations – the steam engine, the gas turbine, radio waves, jet engines and arguably video games. Even the inventors of Viagra. But seriously, the role of honour of great British innovation now has a proud new addition. For all the hardwork, commitment and belief shown by the BBC and its staff (with particular recognition of Anthony Rose’s contribution), the RTS Innovation Awards proudly presents the Judges Award to the BBC iPlayer, proving that it is not just a gift for Christmas, but for life.”