The BBC’s Chief Technology Officer has given details of changes to BBC Research and Development after the BBC announced plans to reduce staffing levels by a further 500.
Peter O’Kane said the division would have a sharper focus to deliver value for audiences, the creative sector and the wider industry.
“We want to accelerate how fast we innovate – collaborating with teams internally and organisations externally to make sure audiences get the best value from the BBC – and do everything we can to support the move to digital services delivered over the Internet,” he said in a Blog post.
O Kane said BBC R&D’s remit, role, and purpose would continue unchanged and it would continue to play a critical role in accelerating innovation across the BBC. We will continue to invent, innovate, and influence the industry in internet-based, digital and broadcasting technologies that benefit the BBC and contribute to the UK creative economy.
Six teams would be created, including one that covers Artificial Intelligence, another for media distribution, and another for defining and influencing technology standards.
O’Kane admitted that having a sharper focus meant the BBC wouldn’t be able to do everything it does today.
It’s not clear how many roles will be lost within R&D.
