Two years ago, RTS London and FOCAL International delivered a joint session called “Future Past: Will Archives Survive Digitisation?” which looked at the impact of technology change on the need to gather, preserve and re-use TV content. We promised to revisit the issues on a regular basis to report on progress made, and the impact of new developments; for example, the maturing use of Artificial Intelligence and its relationship with human cataloguing expertise. Are current archive staff being appropriately trained, and will we find the skills required in the younger generation? 

Other key issues are the rapid obsolescence of play-back machines for old formats, the rise of cloud storage, continuing multiple standards, the challenge of accessing funding, and the urgent need for new policies. Archived TV content is not just for re-use and repeats, it forms part of our cultural heritage and social history.

This session partners RTS London with the RTS Archive Group, featuring a panel of experts from broadcasters, archives and technology providers to present case studies and discuss these crucial issues.

Chair: 
Sue Malden, RTS Archive Group

Panel: 
Jennifer Wilson, Data & Taxonomy Manager, BBC Scotland
Dr Clare Watson, Director of the Media Archive for Central England (MACE)​
Will Pitt, Head of Sport​, Imagen
Charles Fairall, Head of Conservation, BFI
Kay Page, Co-MD, Northbound Consultants

Producers: Dale Grayson, RTS Archive Group and Carol Owens, RTS London