BBC Research & Development (R&D) has been honoured with the Philo T. Farnsworth Corporate Achievement Award by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, in recognition of nearly 100 years of groundbreaking contributions to the media industry.
The Emmy award celebrates BBC R&D’s impact on global media and technology, which includes the pioneering of Near Instantaneous Companded Audio Multiplex (NICAM) and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), contributing to the UK’s digital switchover programme and helping develop Freeview, Freesat, YouView, and Freely.
Credit: Zeynep Demir Aslim. Source: Shutterstock
Recent developments include deploying a major 5G network for King Charles III’s coronation and helping set global standards for HDTV, UHDTV, and HDR technologies. For its Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) system, BBC R&D earned two Emmys, one in 2023 and another in 2024.
Jatin Aythora, Director of BBC R&D, said: “This award is fantastic recognition of the ingenuity, dedication, and impact of what our teams have delivered for audiences over the past century. BBC R&D has always been about pushing boundaries – whether it’s transforming how viewers and listeners experience content or setting global standards for trust and innovation in media. We’re proud to be shaping the future of storytelling and technology.”
Looking ahead, BBC R&D plans to drive innovation in trusted AI, content provenance, and media consumption. It is also a co-founder of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), which aims to build a trustworthy media ecosystem.
The BBC has updated its guidance on working with generative AI technology. Discover more here.
Jonathan Newman becomes UKTV’s Chief Commercial Officer
UKTV has formally appointed Jonathan Newman as Chief Commercial Officer, and David Swetman as Director of Content Partnerships and Sales for the UK and Ireland at UKTV and BBC Studios.
Netflix raises prices as content spending increases
Netflix has raised its prices for customers in the United States, with all subscription tiers rising by at least $1.
DAZN to bring live sports to the skies and seas
Sports streamer DAZN is set to launch DAZN Inflight, a service designed to give fans access to live sports on the go, whether travelling by plane or boat.
YouTube expected to approach 3 billion global users by 2027 – report
YouTube is expected to approach three billion users worldwide by 2027, while Netflix is forecast to reach over one billion monthly active users globally, according to data from research outfit Omdia.
Canal+ wins key piracy case in French courts
Pay-TV broadcaster Canal+ has won a landmark piracy case in the French courts.
