The BBC has confirmed plans to reduce the amount of video content delivered over the Red Button.
As previously reported in Broadband TV News, the changes were partially forced by the Delivery Quality First review, but in a blog post Tom Williams, development editor for red button and dual screen in BBC Vision, stressed that the BBC was committed to the Red Button service and was looking to use internet connected TVs for the delivery of multiple video streams.
“The BBC is committed to maintaining a vibrant and popular red button service. 20 million people a month press red on the BBC and our ambition is to develop the service and increase the size of our audience,” said Williams.
From October 15, the BBC Red Button on Sky, FreeSat and Virgin Media will be reduced from five to one stream, bringing it in line with Freeview. The terrestrial service saw a reduction in its video content, including the demise of the BBC News Multiscreen in October 2009, to make way for the launch of HD services.
Williams said it was not cost effective to rely entirely on linear broadcast technologies.
