8.2 Improving cross-platform interoperability and convergence
The migration of content across different media networks and platforms TV, mobile and the web has been underway for some time. It offers opportunities to extend services, grow audience interaction, target different demographics, and develop completely new service and experience formats.
The range of devices and environments in which we consume content is widespread and increasingly portable and ubiquitous. Whether consumers watch high definition, full screen movies at home or play flash games on smart phones while travelling, the potential for enriching, deepening and extending those experiences across and between platforms has a new currency across a very wide range of the arts and media. Current approaches tend to be led by one medium and then extended into other areas, for example a TV show yielding text message interactions and a promotional website.
|
Opportunity Global |
Capability UK |
Timeliness |
Value Added |
| Meta – Data infrastructure |
High |
Medium |
High |
High |
| Content Aware Networks |
High |
Medium |
High |
High |
| Analytical Tools |
High |
High |
High |
High |
One particular example of the value of platform interoperability and service ubiquity is in serving as a bridge between live performance and the digital domain, to extend audiences and generate additional revenue. The diversity of publicly funded arts productions taking place around the UK represents a significant content resource that could be captured, digitised and distributed to a wider audience across different platforms. For example, Opera at Covent Garden has been distributed to a wider audience in cinemas, in both live and recorded formats. The Technology Strategy Board anticipates that there will be significant public benefit to be derived from this kind of extension that reaches beyond the Creative Industries to other public service sectors.
The key underlying objective is to achieve increased technical and service interoperability between content, products and services, infrastructure management, platforms, networks and devices. This kind of service level functionality will enable new business models that run across platforms and exploit ubiquity of content, products and services.
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Enabling meta-data infrastructure development
Technology Strategy Board will support or create programmes to:
- aid the development of shared standards for meta-data that address both the form in which the metadata is provided (syntax) and the vocabulary used to provide the metadata (semantics) in association with all forms of content or media;
- develop durability, persistence and robustness of meta-data linked accurately to files;
- develop means by which content and its meta-data are automatically logged as present on networks;
- enable the elimination of lengthy manual input;
- increase the degree of content awareness built into networks to create accountability and transparency;
- develop the analytical capability to extract knowledge and value from the data;
- enact policy across all interventions to ensure the preservation of individual’s rights, personal privacy and security; and
- develop, through the Knowledge Transfer Network, mechanisms to promote awareness and adoption of meta-data programmes.
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