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Innovation Labs

2008

2006: The Brief

bbc.co.uk beyond the browser
The BBC's internet services provide a range of content, information and services that help answer public needs. The vast majority of these services are delivered through the web browser, but we are increasingly experimenting with application-based services like the Internet Media Player (IMP) that exist outside of the browser.

We want to commission effective prototypes that explore how to deliver BBC services within and beyond the browser. This could mean using the browser as a platform for a fully-functional application (eg Google's GMail) or an application that pulls data and content from the internet, but uses a custom-built interface instead of the browser (like the BBC's IMP).

Thinking beyond the browser means we can tailor our services to specific contexts. How can we take the content already provided on our websites and make it easier to use, to find or to share? How can we link BBC content with other public domain information or let users personalise their experience by mixing it with their own content?

Context
The BBC's internet strategy focuses on three themes - how we make content available on-demand, how we help people navigate content, and how we help people engage with content.

On Demand is about distribution. bbc.co.uk extends the accessibility of BBC content, expanding the use of classic archive material and finding innovative ways to allow users to take advantage of it. bbc.co.uk develops creative ways of using tools and alternative gateways so that more people are empowered to explore, enjoy and interact with BBC content where and when it suits them. This content includes audio-visual material from our broadcasts or created specifically for the internet, text and images from our websites, and the metadata created by us or our users around our content.

Once appropriate content is available, Navigation is about users being able to find it. bbc.co.uk develops public tools and services to make content findable by users, creating consistent, easy-to-use navigational tools based on open standards. We ensure that users can find the content they want, in the way they want it, whatever platform or device they choose to use.

Engagement is then about facilitating debate. bbc.co.uk aspires to create a dialogue with its users, and between them. We aim to stimulate and support an increase in the amount of content that users create, manipulate and contribute to online. Users will be enabled through the BBC Creative Archive, for example, to generate and distribute their content alongside BBC and other public service output. Projects like the Action Network (previously iCan) encourage users to get involved in civic action projects to make a real difference to their communities.

Ideas submitted to Innovation Labs could focus on one of these areas, or use a particular content area or service to deliver across all of these themes. We are also interested in how applications could combine BBC content with other user generated or public domain content to provide additional public value.

Platforms
Thinking beyond the browser opens up opportunities to deliver our services in the way our audiences want to use them. This could be on a PC, but it could also be via a mobile device, physical interface, set-top box or other platform. Although the vast majority of our audience uses bbc.co.uk via a browser, we want to think about how we make our content and services open and flexible enough to work across platforms and devices.

If you have any questions about the brief, contact Matt Locke – matt.locke@bbc.co.uk.

Useful Links:
http://backstage.bbc.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/imp/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/
http://creativearchive.bbc.co.uk/