BBC runs with on-demand concept

The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) has launched several initiatives as a result of a year-long research project aimed at embracing emerging technologies, including a competition to re-create its home page, the company said Tuesday.

The initiatives are designed to take advantage of the on-demand concept, which includes delivering content to viewers via the Internet and wireless devices whenever they want it, the broadcaster said.

Among them is a competition for ideas to re-design the BBC Web site to take advantage of Web 2.0 technology. The final product should feel like a personalized home page to visitors and could build on innovations spurred by Flickr, Wikipedia, Microsoft Live and others, according to BBC. The new site is also expected to include elements that let visitors contribute to blogs and share home videos.

On Wednesday, the BBC also plans to launch a prototype Web site where visitors can find information about any of the one million programs stored in its archives dating back to 1937, the company said.

Key to that Web site is another initiative underway at the BBC: a new content labeling procedure to improve its search mechanisms. “Cracking” metadata is a priority going forward, the broadcaster said.

The BBC also plans to launch a service called iPlayer, which will allow users to stream television and radio programs live over the Internet and also download programs within seven days of their original broadcast. The service, based on a trial conducted recently by the BBC of a similar offering, would also allow users to transfer the downloaded programs to their mobile phones for viewing on the move, the company said.

Moreover, the BBC is planning Eyewitness, an online project that will allow anyone to share stories about memories or events that happened on each day over the last 100 years.

The new initiatives stem from the Creative Future research project launched a year ago. The goal of the project, involving audience members and other partners, was to create a plan for delivering BBC content and services in an on-demand environment.