Public Service Media should act as technology “pathfinders”, according to EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre, who welcomed delegates to the 18th EBU Technical Assembly in Zagreb yesterday evening. The event brings together more than 120 Technical Directors and technology experts from media organizations across Europe and beyond to reflect on the most pressing questions facing them today in terms of technology and innovation. Croatian national public service broadcaster HRT is the host for the event and its Chairman, Josip Popovac, extended his own welcome to guests at the opening reception.

Ms Deltenre, speaking about the role that EBU Members can play in technology and innovation, said she believed the public expect PSM to lead national media on to ever greater things.  “We owe it to the public to give them the best whenever we can – whether it is in terms of programmes or of technology.” In the context of the on-going debate about the future of broadcasting she continued: “We need to look at systems that can switch between broadcast and broadband delivery without the viewer noticing, and  encourage all the things that you need in the home to make linear and non-linear content available to everyone.”

The Technical Assembly continues at the Westin Zagreb Hotel today and tomorrow. The opening session will be hosted by HRT news presenter Mislav Togonal, and will include a keynote presentation from the European Commission’s Head of Spectrum Policy, Pearse O’Donohue. Delegates will then participate in breakout discussions around the topic of Spectrum Use and Future Services. During the afternoon a special Strategic Focus session will explore the topic of an all-IP approach for Public Service Media.