The revolution will be televised – with a BT box

May 28 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A WEALTH of opportunities will be created for North East digital firms by a television revolution lead by BT, the company has said.

By the middle of next year BT – alongside its proposed partners the BBC and ITV – plan to release a set top box which will enable viewers to watch internet content on their TVs.

It will mean that viewers will have access to high definition on demand programmes such as the BBC’s iPlayer as well as content from hundreds of other bodies including the British Film Institute or the NHS.

BT is not the only company preparing for the internet TV revolution but it is also hoping to be the driving force behind the development of an open set of technical standards for devices that will feed content to TV’s via a broadband connection.

And BT has told the Journal that, as the technology takes off, it could bring a tide of new opportunities for the region’s digital firms.

As well as opportunities for North East film-makers such as Dene Films or 21st Century Media, BT’s technology will be able to facilitate downloadable applications such as those on Apple’s iPhone.

Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision and deputy managing director of BT Consumer, also said the technology will help secure new work for staff at BT’s North East offices.

He said: “It is really exciting for technology companies. We are trying to bring together the internet and the TV and we are building a platform that will allow applications to be developed for the TV.

“They will do all of the amazing things that the apps on iPhone do and we will be working together [with local businesses] to make it happen.