This week’s podcast is another panel from 2013, here discussing the advantages, obstacles and emerging trends in multi-platform content. The panel are no strangers to this topic: Chris Sizemore from the BBC talks about his dedication to moving learning online with a then-unrevealed initiative. Al Brown opens up some of the back-doors to VICE’s documentary efforts online and on HBO. Sara Ramsden talks about Channel 4’s attempts to drive people from the TV to online. Sara’s concerns are echoed by Ted Littledale, whose company Second Sync specialise in TV’s links to social media. And finally, John Farren from 360 Production compares his long stint in TV to his company’s brisk rise to popularity on YouTube.
All the participants are so involved in this field that it makes for very revealing examples, a wide variety of application possibilities (even those that were failures are candidly discussed) and impassioned debate about where things are going next.
The panel talks about building an organic, online community to whom they listen and communicate. They explore the effect that this community can have on the medium, form and even the content that they consume. This podcast displays real investment in audience engagement: what it means, what it can be, and what it should be.
One of the most exciting things about this is the continuation we have seen since the recording – the effects of discussions like this are very real one year later. The BBC has launched iWonder, their Factual & Learning interactive online space. Its Q&A style is reminiscent of 360 Production’s Head Squeeze YouTube channel – which has more than doubled its subscribers since this panel’s meeting. Second Sync has kept on top of Twitter analysis for broadcasts into 2014 and has now joined Twitter itself. VICE is still going strong on HBO and has livestreams happening from all over the world. Channel 4’s Easter Eggs Live has blown over, leaving behind a best-of broadcast and a website full of the most memorable moments.
This podcast, and a whole host of others from our extensive archive, are up for grabs on iTunes – simply type ‘SheffieldDoc/Fest’ into the search bar.
Written by Ben Jackson