(Amsterdam - 11 September 2012) The BBC was unveiled as Broadcaster of the Year at the climax of the 2012 ConnectedWorld.TV Awards.
In association with the IBC Connected World, the ConnectedWorld.TV Awards are organised by BPL Broadcast Ltd, the leading publisher and event organiser for the broadcast industry, to celebrate the exciting developments in television and video consumption at the intersection of broadcast and broadband. The Awards, which recognise pioneers in the “business of content everywhere”, were presented at a gala dinner in Amsterdam last night (Monday 10 September) during IBC2012.
The BBC emerged from a high quality short list that also included Central European Media Enterprises, France Télévisions, Spain’s RTVE, Televised Revolution and Zon Multimedia, to win the highest honour bestowed by the ConnectedWorld.TV Awards which is awarded to the broadcaster considered to have done most to demonstrate a clear vision of how the Connected World can complement traditional broadcast distribution.
Neil Nixon, chairman of the judging panel and editor of ConnectedWorld.TV and IBE said: “Far from becoming defensive about online services, broadcasters are embracing them. And none more so than the BBC who richly deserves this award for the diversity and richness of the available content and the ease of access to virtually all devices. They are a fine example of where all broadcasters are going, as evidenced by our other entries.”
Chris Boeree, Chairman of BPL Broadcast Ltd said: “Connected Technologies are revolutionising the way in which content is being created, distributed and consumed and seems set to transform the global broadcast industry over the coming years. We are delighted to be involved in rewarding innovation and excellence within the sector and to be encouraging its development around the world.”
The ConnectedWorld.TV Awards 2012 were presented in 18 categories:
Content Awards acknowledge the most creative, imaginative and effective examples of online content.
Best use of online video by a broadcaster
Winner: Social Media Factory for ‘Live in Chelsea’.
This award recognises TV programmes that successfully exploit online content, information or interactivity to enrich the linear TV experience.
Best use of online video by a non-broadcaster
Winner: Visual Unity for Topfun
This award is open to any organisation with limited access to broadcast distribution and recognises how the Connected World has been successfully exploited to deliver multimedia and TV-style content to a defined target audience.
Three Content Discovery Awards recognise how apps are helping viewers locate and access content of interest or gain an enhanced experience while watching TV.
Best Native App for Connected TV
Winner: Easeltv for All3Media Connected TV app
Best native app for a portable device
Winner: ZON Multimedia for Zon Online for iPad & iPhone
Best web app
Winner: France Télévisions and IBM for “Eurobuzz”
Three Connected Consumer Awards acknowledge the companies, products and services that are enabling new content consumption experiences.
Connected home display device of the year
Winner: Cisco for ISB7005 wireless set-top-box
Connected home networking award
Winner: AirTies Wireless Networks for Air4742
Online video services of the year
Winner: CJ Hellovision for tving
The Connected Industry Awards seek out the innovative technology companies who are providing the platforms and infrastructure that create the new and secure routes to market required for a sustainable connected content industry.
TV service delivery – applications, techniques and toolsets
Winner: Vision247 for XtremeIPTV
TV service delivery – services, platforms & architectures
Winner: Viaccess-Orca for its IPTV/OTT Service delivery platform
Content security
Winner: NDS for VideoGuard Connect
Connected Content Technology Awards highlight the advances in the industry’s ability to manage, manipulate and present streamed and on-demand content.
New CDN networks & service delivery technologies
Winner: Vision247 for Freeview Connected TV
Streaming technologies
Winner: RGB Networks for TransAct Packger
Innovative workflow and platform solutions
Winner: Alcatel Lucent for Velocix
Middleware & CPE Technology
Winner: NAGRA for OpenTV
Interfaces, applications and browsers
Winner: SoftAtHome for Operating Platform
Technology Breakthrough of the Year
Winner: Viaccess-Orca
From the submissions in the Connected Industry and Connected Content Technology categories, judges were asked to nominate one entry that they felt could have the biggest impact on the business of content everywhere. Five other entries were commended by the judges:
Arxan for its application and key protection solution
Hillcrest Labs for Freespace natural motion production line
LiveU for LU40i
Viaccess-Orca for Unified Svc Plat
Vision247 for XtremeIPTV
The judges noted, “It is very difficult to reduce all of these entries down to a single standout, but Viaccess-Orca beats the odds by providing a unique combination of a strong TV middleware offering, proven CAS and a class-leading recommendation platform - and the proof is that it's deployed in France Telecom, one of the world's largest IPTV service providers.”
“The Connected World has moved on significantly since our inaugural Awards in 2011,” said Saleha Williams, Executive Commercial Director Vice President of BPL Broadcast Ltd. “The ConnnectedWorld.TV Awards is now established as the premier event in the industry and this year attracted record entries from more than 100 broadcasters, independent producers, technology companies and consumer electronics manufacturers from 23 countries. I am delighted with the industry response this year and looking forward to the 2013 Awards.”
For more information on the Awards winners and other shortlisted entries, visit:
http://www.connectedworldawards.tv/
