BBC backs 3DTV
October 3, 2011
From Chris Forrester @ MIPCOM
The BBC is firmly behind 3DTV, although Jo Sermon, BBC Worldwide’s director of content strategy, speaking October 3 at the MIPCOM programming market, said the BBC is also playing the long game in that 3D is suitable for play-out on tablets, smart-phones, laptops, 3D-based Internet as well as Blu-ray devices.
Sermon told MIPCOM delegates that a recent research study for the BBC showed that public interest in various 3D genres was high, with film (44 per cent) being highest, Natural History (40 per cent), Music (21 per cent), Entertainment (also 21 per cent) as well as reasonable interest in 3D for comedy, soaps and entertainment.
She highlighted Planet Dinosaur, a 50-minute 3DTV ‘special’ that’s grown out of the BBC longer-form series of the same name. The BBC is also backing music concerts, with shows by Britney Spears and Elbow captured in 3D. The broadcaster is also likely to take some of next year’s Olympic Games in 3D.
Sermon also said that while natural history, some science and music form the main thrusts of 3D activity at BBC Worldwide, the broadcaster is also looking for “drama projects, and we are exploring our top franchises,” she added.
The BBC itself is also capturing an episode of its top rated ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ format in 3D, and taking the format to the next level, and is rumoured to be planning to try 3D within the Doctor Who drama series which hits its 50th birthday next year.
“BBC-W also have a couple of 3D theatrical releases under our belts in the shape of Walking with Dinosaurs and Enchanted Kingdom, but Planet Dinosaur (Spring 2012), Earthflight (Spring 2012) and the music projects (available now) are 3DTV concepts,” says Sermon. “We are also looking closely at six or seven other projects as follow-up opportunities so we are very much looking to increase the 3D slate at Worldwide”.