Events

Microsoft talks about DVD playback and Windows Media Center in Windows 8

Andrew Edney

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May 5, 2012

Following their blog posting about Media Center in Windows 8, Microsoft has quickly followed it up with another post about DVD playback.

This is what Microsoft posted:

What are the codecs needed to play DVD?
A codec is software that is used to compress or decompress a digital media file, such as a song or video. MPEG-2 is widely used as the format of digital television signals that are broadcast by terrestrial (over-the-air), cable, and direct broadcast satellite TV systems, and DVD Video. Dolby Digital is the widely used audio standard for terrestrial (ATSC, over-the-air), cable, direct broadcast satellite TV systems, and DVD Video. Dolby audio is also a mandatory format in Blu-ray.

How has Windows handled DVD related decoder licensing prior to Windows 8?
The issue surrounding the incremental costs of codecs to play DVDs isn’t new to Windows. In Windows XP and Windows Vista we addressed it by offering specialized editions, such as Windows Media Center Edition, or codec add-ons to Windows Media Player. DVD playback was not included in Windows Vista Starter, Home Basic, Business, and Windows Vista Enterprise editions. OEMs (PC manufacturers) had the option to license Windows Vista Starter, Home Basic, and Business “with DVD” where we offered a version that includes the Dolby Digital codec to enable the OS to support DVD playback for a nominal price increase. In Windows 7, we decided to make these codecs available broadly in most editions, except Windows 7 Home Basic (available in some emerging markets) and Windows 7 Starter editions (available for netbooks and some emerging markets). That means royalties related to DVD playback in Windows 7 have been paid broadly, regardless of whether or not the PC has an optical drive. Based on sales and usage, we supplied codecs to a very large number of PCs that were not capable of playing DVDs or simply did not ever play DVDs.

Who pays decoder royalties associated with DVD playback on PCs?
Typically, media codecs are based on intellectual property (IP), often patents, held by consumer electronics consortiums or companies. The result is that entities who wish to sell products that include these codecs must pay royalties to the IP owners; sometimes to a single entity (e.g. Dolby Laboratories), and often through a license agency (e.g. MPEG-LA) who administers licensing for a number of IP holders under specific terms. The rules surrounding who pays these royalties vary by licensing program. According to the MPEG-LA program, the company that ships the end product is responsible for paying. In the case of new PCs with Windows pre-installed, that would be the PC OEMs. The Dolby program for Windows 7 was defined based on an agreement between Dolby and Microsoft where Microsoft has paid Dolby directly for the rights to Dolby Technologies built in Windows 7. Royalties are also paid by ISVs that include those technologies in their applications, even if those applications are bundled on new systems. This means that in many cases the same royalties can be paid multiple times over for a single PC (Microsoft pays some, OEM pays some, ISV pays some). In Windows 8, we will continue to include some technologies licensed by MPEG-LA and Dolby that will be paid by OEMs, but only those that relate to online media consumption (e.g. MPEG-2 container for H.264, Dolby Digital Plus audio) and not those related optical media. The costs associated with those codecs are lower, but significant, compared to optical media playback. Also, Windows 8 apps will be able to use these technologies as part of the Windows 8 Media Foundation APIs at no additional cost, as long as they are not providing optical media and broadcast related functionality.

How much does it cost the PC ecosystem to play DVDs?
Playing DVDs generally require MPEG-2 video compression and Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio. Even though it is possible to use other formats, the majority of commercial DVDs are encoded using these formats. In order to decode these formats, the playback device needs to be licensed to use these decoders. MPEG-2 decoder costs $2.00 per unit under current MPEG-LA terms. Dolby license is an additional cost that varies by the technology licensed, the type of device, and unit volume. While not related to Windows, Blu Ray would be an additional cost on top of these. So when you add all this up and apply to all Windows PCs, it is an ongoing cost of hundreds of millions of dollars per year to the PC ecosystem, well over a billion dollars over the lifecycle of the operating system and yet by most predictions the majority of PCs will not even be capable of playing DVDs.

Why can’t I just pay for DVD when I need it?
When we have DVD playback capabilities in software broadly like in Windows 7, there is no way to distinguish whether the PC will ever play a DVD disc but still this cost is carried on every PC. While we might think that the best solution is some sort of “just in time” charge back to Microsoft based on telemetry or an “anytime upgrade” this is not how the third-party licensing programs work as described above. So there isn’t an approach where you buy Windows or a PC and only “pay as you go” if DVD playback is provided “in the box”. Once it is distributed as a player, a license is required.

Will devices with Windows 8 pre-installed be able to play DVDs out of the box?
This is ultimately an OEM choice for what peripherals and software to include in a given system. If a new device has an optical drive, it will most likely include necessary software and licenses making it a seamless experience to the vast majority of customers. Similarly, an add-on optical drive (internal or external) will almost certainly come with DVD playback software unless you intentionally purchase a white label drive (which might be a perfectly reasonable choice if the drive is simply for loading software). In all cases, there are numerous complete third-party applications that provide a broad range of support that is properly licensed. On the other hand, the ecosystem won’t have to pay for that software and related royalties on devices such as tablets, small form factor desktops, and laptops that are sold without optical drives.

What if I upgrade to Windows 8 on my current Windows 7 PC with a DVD drive?
If there is existing third-party playback software the Windows Upgrade Assistant will help determine if this software is compatible with Windows 8 and you will have the option to keep it during the upgrade to Windows 8. Otherwise, you will need to acquire third-party playback software after the upgrade to play DVDs. Alternatively, you can acquire the Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows 8 Pro Pack post upgrade. Both Packs include Windows Media Center, including the ability to play DVDs.

Why can’t I buy a Windows 8 device that includes Windows Media Center pre-installed?
With the evolution of device form factors (tablets, thin and light, etc., none of which have optical drives) and change in media consumption patterns from optical disks and broadcast TV to online (Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, etc.), we concluded that we would no longer make DVD and broadcast TV capabilities available in all Windows editions, simply because the feature applies to a decreasing number of PCs sold. Instead, those capabilities will be available only to customers that want it via Add Windows Feature (aka Windows Anytime Upgrade). This ensures that the costs associated with playing DVDs and watching broadcast TV on PCs only apply to devices that have those capabilities and customers that want it.

Are you adding another Windows 8 edition called “Windows 8 Pro with Media Center”?
The Windows 8 Pro edition that includes Media Center will be named and branded Windows 8 Pro. The only difference is that it will include Media Center and you will also find a different string in the system properties where it will say “Windows 8 Pro with Media Center”. This is not a new edition of Windows 8.

Why do I have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro to get Media Center?
Trends in Media Center usage show a decline in the number of customers that use it on a regular basis, starting from a relatively small base as we previously blogged about. When we look at actual usage, most customers using Media Center and playing DVDs used Windows Ultimate and XP Pro/Media Center. We believe those customers will also be interested in the additional features provided in the Windows 8 Pro edition, such as Boot from VHD, Client Hyper-V, etc., especially if they are using Media Center on a PC used for general tasks. Considering the audience and current usage, we conclude the vast majority of Media Center customers upgrading to Windows 8 will be to the Windows 8 Pro edition. In our efforts to keep the Windows 8 editions plan as simple as possible, Windows Media Center is only available on Windows 8 Pro. If you already have Windows 8 Pro and want to add Media Center, you just need to acquire the additional Media Center Pack as an in-place upgrade available via Add Windows Features (formerly Windows Anytime Upgrade).

What is the Windows 8 Pro Pack and why does it include Media Center?
Windows 8 Pro Pack is an upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro. Like we described above, Media Center is only available on Windows 8 Pro. When you acquire the Pro Pack, we make it a single step that takes you to Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. The cost of the Media Center Pack is essentially built into Pro Pack. Again, this is an attempt to add simplicity to the process of acquiring Media Center.

What version of Windows Media Center will be included in Windows 8?
The version of Media Center included in Windows 8 is what we shipped in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It is much consistent with what shipped in Windows 7.

Will CableCard and other devices continue to work with Media Center in Windows 8?
Yes, there is no change in hardware supported between Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Why doesn’t Windows Media Player support DVD playback even after installing Media Center?
Based on the above discussion, it should be clear that we cannot enable DVD playback all the time in Windows Media Player. Given the ongoing feedback to avoid feature overlap and to avoid the complexity of behavior changing for a previously installed component, we only enable DVD playback in Media Center once it is installed.

So what do you think? Personally I don’t think I will be upgrading my Media Center from Windows 7!

TomTom releases the TomTom Via 130 Speak & Go SatNav

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

0

TomTom releases the TomTom Via 130 Speak & Go SatNav

TomTom yesterday released the TomTom Via 130, featuring a new Speak & Go function. Drivers can control the device with just the sound of their voice, as well as making hands-free calls, which helps keep hands on the wheel and focus on the road.

Speak & Go recognises over 1,000 commands and their synonyms, so drivers can talk naturally and input addresses with ease. Plus, the TomTom Via 130 takes safe and simple driving one step further, with hands-free calling via Bluetooth enabling drivers to make and answer calls safely in the car.

The Via 130 is pioneering TomTom’s lifetime free daily map changes. Updates are based on reports from TomTom’s Map Share community of 21 million, and help drivers to deal with frequent road changes such as new speed limits and blocked roads. A Map Share service has previously been available to certain customers using maps which are less than 12 months old, but it will now be offered to cover the lifetime of a device.

Also launched today was the TomTom Via 135, which has all of the same features and functionalities as the Via 130, but a larger screen size. The TomTom Via 130 has a 4.3” screen, and the TomTom Via 135 has a 5” screen.

Other features of the TomTom Via 130 and 135 include:

Hands-free calling via Bluetooth

Allows drivers to make and answer phone calls safely while driving.

Advanced lane guidance
Gives drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions.

Improved IQ Routes
Uses real travel information shared by millions of drivers to get the best routes and arrival times at every time of day.

TomTom Map Share
Provides drivers with free daily map changes for life from the TomTom Map Share Community.

Integrated mounting
A convenient foldaway mount that is integrated with the device, so it is always there when needed.

The TomTom Via 130 (with a 4.3” screen) is now available for purchase, priced at £129 for the UK/Republic of Ireland map and £149 for European maps.

The TomTom Via 135 has all of the same features on a 5” screen, and is priced £149 for the UK/Republic of Ireland map.

Bowers & Wilkins launch the P3 Headphones

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

0

Bowers & Wilkins launch the P3 Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins, the British loudspeaker manufacturer and innovator responsible for creating award-winning products such as the Zeppelin Air iPod dock, is proud to announce the launch of the P3 headphones – the latest compelling addition to a growing mobile hi-fi headphone category that already includes the P5 on-ear headphones and C5 in-ear headphones.

The P3 headphones maintain Bowers & Wilkins’ dedication to sound perfection. Designed, engineered and tuned by the same engineers responsible for the highly-acclaimed P5 headphones, Zeppelin Air and the celebrated 800 Series Diamond speakers found in Abbey Road Studios. With a choice of two colours and a compact foldable design, the P3s offer a stylish and affordable solution for music lovers on the move.

The P3 headphones are Bowers & Wilkins’ most portable on-ear headphones yet and feature a custom-made, ultra-light, acoustic fabric on the ear pad. The use of memory foam cushion enhances the listening experience, meaning the P3s deliver a listening experience that is longer and more comfortable than that of conventional headphones.

The P3 headphones come with a choice of cable leads, one with a remote and microphone attachment that works seamlessly with your iPhone and another that ensures it is compatible with all other mobile phones and MP3 players.

With over 45 years of acoustic and design excellence to their name, the Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones represent a new level in affordable mobile headphone listening. The superior drive unit terminals allow uniform airflow to ensure greater linear movement and less distortion – resulting in a truer, more natural sound that envelops the listener in a private concert for one.

The combination of high-performance, considered features, and smart design make the P3s the headphones of choice for people who demand great sound on the move.

The Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones will come in black or white, available from June priced £169.99

Star Wars events taking place this weekend; May the fourth be with you!

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

0

Star Wars events taking place this weekend; May the fourth be with you!

May the fourth be with you as Xbox takes to the road by hosting hands-on trial with Kinect Star Wars at Star Wars fan events at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire and the National Space Centre in Leicester.

The Elstree Empire Day on Saturday 5^th May from 9:00am-6:00pm is the first time film fans can visit the iconic Elstree Studios, where the Star Wars films were filmed. The once-in-a-lifetime event will be hosted by Gary Kurtz (producer of Empire Strikes Back), and feature appearances by Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), John Morton (Boba Fett) and more. In addition to talks by the guests, there will be props from the Star Wars films on display, autograph sessions and a special auction of rare Star Wars memorabilia. All profits from the event will go to help the continuing film preservation and restoration efforts at the Kurtz/Joiner Archive.

The National Space Centre’s event on Saturday-Sunday 5-6^th May from 10:00am-5:00pm will feature Star Wars costume character appearances by the impressive 501^st UK Garrison that supports local communities through charity and volunteer work. Other activities include appearances by Kenny Baker (R2-D2; Sunday only) and other Star Wars cast members, prop displays and hands-on with Kinect Star Wars, out now exclusively on Xbox 360.

Kinect Star Wars is available now and offers fans of all ages the ability to train to be a Jedi with a lightsaber and feel the Force, only made possible with Kinect for Xbox 360. The game retails for £39.99, while the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars console bundle is available for £349.99 (ERP), featuring an R2-D2 branded console, C-3PO controller, white Kinect Sensor and more.

Check out our review of Kinect Star Wars

Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S III Smartphone

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

2

Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S III Smartphone

Last night was the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone at the Samsung Unpacked 2012 event in London, and we were on hand to see, and play with the new S III.

I have to say I was very impressed with it. Whilst it felt quite large in my hands, I soon got used to it and it felt quite natural.

The screen is nothing short of breath-taking – I found even after a short time of using it, going back to my iPhone 4S felt strange, and the 4S screen looked a little washed out in comparison!

And here is a video showing it in action (I had to remove the sound at there was someone nearby trying to us the S Voice features to ask rude questions)!

What do you think of the S III?

I am really impressed with it, and I can’t wait to try it out for longer, and with less people trying to get it from me!

Windows Home Server 2011 Add-in: Intelisan LDisk-D

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

0

Windows Home Server 2011 Add-in: Intelisan LDisk-D

BJ from Intelisan has been in touch to let us know about a new version of their LDisk add-in for Windows Home Server 2011, this one called LDisk-D.

The two main differences between LDisk and LDisk-D are:

1- Customers wanted iSCSI functionality, but did not have any blank disks to use with LDisk

2- Cusomters wanted iSCSI functionality for non-English WHS-2011, WSS-e, and SBS-2011e operating systems

Below is a table showing the prices and the differences between each version:

Learn more from the Intelisan website

The Home Server Show Episode 181 Out Now

Andrew Edney

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May 4, 2012

0

Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 181.

Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

The Home Server Crew is back and we have a marathon for you. There was plenty to cover since we missed a week. We have a lot of media related news and gadgets to talk about but the big topic is cloud services. How many do you have? Use?

Listen to the show from here.

Microsoft Selects Dolby to Create Immersive Entertainment Experiences on Windows 8 Tablets and PCs

Microsoft

Jim McCarthy

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May 4, 2012

0

Dolby announced today that Microsoft has selected their technology to enhance entertainment options in Windows 8. Read on for details.

Dolby announced today that Microsoft has selected their technology for inclusion in Windows 8. Here is what they said:

Dolby Digital Plus delivers high-quality sound to expanding world of entertainment and high-definition devices

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) today announced that Microsoft^®has selected Dolby®Digital Plus to create the most realistic and immersive audio experiences for Windows^® 8 on tablets and PCs. The addition of Dolby Digital Plus enables the playback of Dolby-encoded content across a growing number of devices. Today’s announcement underscores the essential role that Dolby Digital Plus plays in delivering high-quality sound for online entertainment services and personal media applications.

“Dolby’s goal is to deliver the best possible entertainment experience, wherever content is delivered through broadcast, broadband, or wireless networks,” said Ramzi Haidamus, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Dolby. “We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to address the growing demand for high-definition content delivered across a broad range of services and devices. Widespread availability of Dolby Digital Plus on Windows 8 will enable more people to enjoy cinematic sound anytime, anywhere, and on any device.”

“With the incredible growth of online download and streaming media, particularly for video content, this agreement ensures a great audio experience for those consumers who wish to download or stream TV and movies containing Dolby Digital Plus,” said Tami Reller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, Windows and Windows Live, Microsoft. “Additionally, all of their existing and future home videos recorded with Dolby Digital Plus audio will work great on Windows 8 right out of the box.”

Incorporated in more than 640 million devices, Dolby Digital Plus transforms the entertainment experience and is recognized as a standard for high-quality audio on many types of products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, connected TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and game consoles.

Developers will be enabled to deliver the highest level of immersive experiences and cinematic sound through Windows 8 APIs in desktop and Metro-style apps, including those developed for x86 and ARM architectures. Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-channel decoding and Dolby Digital two-channel encoding will be supported in all PCs and tablets licensed to run Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT editions.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.
Dolby News Release

Microsoft Changes Course on Media Center and Windows 8

Microsoft

Jim McCarthy

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May 4, 2012

13

Microsoft has reconsidered their approach for Media Center and Windows 8. We bring you the details.

Microsoft’s Building Windows 8 blog recently published a post revising the strategy for adding Media Center into Windows 8. Here is what they said:

In this post we wanted to update you on Media Center and Windows 8, specifically how we will make sure Windows 8 fully supports the capabilities of Media Center as it is in Windows 7. We took the feedback about maintaining the functionality very seriously, and we clearly understood what we’ve heard many of you saying around the value of Media Center for movies, Internet TV, broadcast TV, optical media, music, photos, and all the other scenarios it covers today. Many said in comments and email to us, that so long as the feature is available somehow it is fine. This post is how we will deliver on that and continue to support Media Center for another product lifecycle. This post was authored by Bernardo Caldas in the Windows Business Group, with help from Linda Averett who leads program management for the Developer Experience team.
–Steven

If you saw our recent post on the Windows 8 editions, then you know already that Windows Media Center will be available in Windows 8. You might also have noticed Windows Media Center is included in Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Media Center has always been subject of a lot of discussion and feedback in these forums as well as email. Today we would like to share more details about our plan and the motivations behind it.

First let’s step back and talk about media experiences in general. Windows 8 will deliver a world-class video and audio entertainment experience. Our focus is on providing a comprehensive video and audio platform for developers to build engaging and differentiated apps. The Windows 8 developer platform will contain a wide variety of industry-standard media formats, along with Internet Explorer 10, which supports the standard HTML5 web platform. It also includes the set of decoders (shown in the table below) and new developer functionality to deliver these modern media experiences.

Metro style apps can use any of the decoders included in Windows. These decoders are optimized for system reliability, battery life, and performance, and cover all key playback scenarios for mainstream content such as YouTube video, Netflix video, Amazon audio/video, H.264 web browsing/streaming, Hulu video, MP4 video, AVCHD video from camcorders, Ultraviolet video, and the HTML5 video tag. Metro style apps can also include additional decoders (such as FLAC, MKV, OGG, etc.) in their apps package for use within the apps.

Video

Audio

Decoders

H.264

VC-1/WMV

MP4 Pt 2

DD+ (non-disk)

AAC

WMA

MP3

PCM

Format container

AVI

MPEG-2 TS

MP4

ASF

M4A

ASF

MP3

WAV

In the process of building a robust platform, we’ve also evaluated which in-box media playback experiences we want to provide. The media landscape has changed quite significantly since the release of Windows 7. Our telemetry data and user research shows us that the vast majority of video consumption on the PC and other mobile devices is coming from online sources such as YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, or any of the other myriad of online and downloadable video services available. In fact, consumption of movies online in the United States will surpass physical video in 2012, according to this recent IHS Screen Digest research.

On the PC, these online sources are growing much faster than DVD & broadcast TV consumption, which are in sharp decline (no matter how you measure—unique users, minutes, percentage of sources, etc.). Globally, DVD sales have declined significantly year over year and Blu-ray on PCs is losing momentum as well. Watching broadcast TV on PCs, while incredibly important for some of you, has also declined steadily. These traditional media playback scenarios, optical media and broadcast TV, require a specialized set of decoders (and hardware) that cost a significant amount in royalties. With these decoders built into most Windows 7 editions, the industry has faced those costs broadly, regardless of whether or not a given device includes an optical drive or TV tuner.

Our partners have shared clear concerns over the costs associated with codec licensing for traditional media playback, especially as Windows 8 enables an unprecedented variety of form factors. Windows has addressed these concerns in the past by limiting availability of these experiences to specialized “media” or “premium” editions. At the same time, we also heard clear feedback from customers and partners that led to our much simplified Windows 8 editions lineup.

Given the changing landscape, the cost of decoder licensing, and the importance of a straight forward edition plan, we’ve decided to make Windows Media Center available to Windows 8 customers via the Add Features to Windows 8 control panel (formerly known as Windows Anytime Upgrade). This ensures that customers who are interested in Media Center have a convenient way to get it. Windows Media Player will continue to be available in all editions, but without DVD playback support. For optical discs playback on new Windows 8 devices, we are going to rely on the many quality solutions on the market, which provide great experiences for both DVD and Blu-ray.

We will offer two ways to acquire Windows Media Center:

Starting point
OEM pre-installed, clean install, or upgrade

End-user upgrade
Acquire & install via Add Features to Windows 8

Ending point

Windows 8 Pro

>

Windows 8Media Center Pack

>

Windows 8 Pro
with Media Center

Windows 8

>

Windows 8 Pro Pack

>

Windows 8 Pro is designed to help tech enthusiasts obtain a broader set of Windows 8 technologies. Acquiring either the Windows 8 Media Center Pack or the Windows 8 Pro Pack gives you Media Center, including DVD playback (in Media Center, not in Media Player), broadcast TV recording and playback (DBV-T/S, ISDB-S/T, DMBH, and ATSC), and VOB file playback. Pricing for these Packs, as well as retail versions of Windows 8, will be announced closer to the release date. To give you some indication of Media Center Pack pricing, it will be in line with marginal costs.

We are incredibly excited about the future of entertainment in Windows. We hope you have had a chance to try some of the new Windows 8 Metro style media applications such as the Video and the Music apps. These apps embody the characteristics that make Windows 8 great for both end users and developers, and are included with the Consumer Preview install, ensuring a great local media playback experience on Windows 8. There is much more to come, as developers embrace the power of the Windows 8 platform to delight media enthusiasts around the world!

Essentially, Microsoft will sell Media Center as an upgrade to anyone who wants to add it to Windows 8. Pricing has yet to be determined…we’ll keep an eye on that for you and let you know what the pricing is as soon as we know.

Windows 8 Blog Post

The BBC’s approach to companion experiences

Andrew Edney

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May 3, 2012

0

The BBC’s approach to companion experiences

The BBC are working on companion experiences – additional content offered on a companion screen, and they have revealed their approach on a blog posting.

This is part of what the BBC posted on their blog:

First, what do I mean by ‘companion experiences’?

Broadly, this means additional content offered on a companion screen (PC, mobile, tablet or even the same TV), related to and synchronized with the programme you’re watching on TV. This could be further information, a play along experience, social or control features – the overall aim being to enhance the audiences’ TV viewing.

This isn’t a new idea for the BBC or our audience. We’ve been offering simple, easy to access and entertaining companion activity via BBC Red Button for well over a decade. In fact, Red Button is the BBC’s most successful companion experience to date, attracting 20 million viewers a month – but it’s one that’s confined to the TV screen.

As more and more internet connected devices enter the living room, we can extend entertainment beyond broadcast and the TV screen, bringing our shows to life for audiences in ever more exciting ways.

Our editorial approach to companion experiences is three fold:

• Build on existing audience needs and behaviour

• Go beyond broadcast
• Drive creative renewal and innovation

We want to immerse our audience in the programme they’re watching even more by building on the existing needs and behaviours the show inspires. We’ve learned a lot about this from years of programme-related experimentation on BBC Red Button and BBC Online.

For Frozen Planet, we tried something different. Frozen Planet, with its awe-inspiring cinematography, invites the audience to be a passenger on a journey into the wonders of natural history. Our closed pilot was about enhancing that journey, offering viewers synchronous information about the animals and habitats featured in the show, along with the opportunity to ‘Favourite’ that content to consume later. One of our participants in the trial was impressed at how this delivered “a new way of viewing my docs”

The experience will be available across smart phones, PC, and tablet devices. A version of the play along will also be available on broadcast BBC Red Button.

What do you think of this idea?