Public Service Media (PSM) specialists were invited to reflect on the past to pre-empt the future, during the second in a series of Experts Meetings organized by the Vision2020 project group in Geneva.   

Former European Broadcasting Union deputy technical director David Wood, who chairs the Experts Group II on Distribution, Technologies & Audience, asked participants to identify a recent, single change that had made their organization 'future-proof.'

Responses ranged; however a recurring theme was a programme of change leading to 'fewer, bigger, better,' – whether it be the amalgamation of websites or channels, stronger branding, increased quality, or streamlining of work practises.         

Discussion was also focussed on the progression towards convergence, the progressive merger of traditional broadcast and internet services provided via computers, tablets and other mobile devices.

Thomas Saner from Swiss public service broadcaster SRG said that with lines blurring between the 20th century consumption patterns of linear broadcasting received by TV sets versus on-demand services delivered on computer, personalised linear programming was not far off.

"Audiences will conceivably be able to programme their preferences to create an evening of entertainment tailored to their taste: the news, followed by a cooking programme for example, capped off by a film."

The meeting is the second in a series of three organized by Vision2020, the project group formed to help Members address the question: how do PSM remain indispensable to their audiences and stakeholders in 2020.

Yesterday Members from the Content & Audience Experts Group met in Geneva. Experts from the Governance, Funding, Role & Remit will meet tomorrow. 

The results of the project will be presented to the EBU Winter General Assembly in December.

Members of the Distribution & Technologies Experts Group 2 :