CTAM EuroSummit 12 – VIENNA. The BBC’s multiscreen coverage of the London 2012 Olympics was so radical that it had the effect of breaking linear television forever for anyone under the age of 40.
Futurologist Ben Hammersley said the corporation, which allowed viewers to watch every event live over TV, online and mobile platforms had raised expectations among the viewing audience.
“That precedent where I could watch the dressage on my phone while walking through London means that anybody else who can’t offer me that service will in fact be broken,” Hammersley told delegates.
Turning his attention to the second screen he said that one of the great trends was that of people watching television and paying attention to something else at the same time. “It’s worth pointing out that it’s not the way round you think it might be,” he said.
He also cautioned that Twitter and Facebook would not be replaced by something branded by the TV company.
Turning his attention to the technology of the TV set itself, and dismissing 3D out of hand, Hammersley said devices such as the iPad provided a better experience for video.
“Everybody has to pay attention to the fact that television isn’t very good as a thing… It’s because it is a vocal point because as a screen technology it really sucks.”