BBC News Multiscreen (Freeview)

Nothing flash, creative or inspiring here - it's basically looking at the simplest way to double the number of screens on the Freeview version of BBC News Multiscreen.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/brekkieboy2001/mocks-other/multi303.gif


Pretty self explanatory really - the text info is scrapped leaving room for the two new screens, while the BBC News logo is moved to the bottom, replacing the BBCi bar.

"Press TEXT to EXIT" at the bottom alternates with text such as "Use <> to select screen" - or could be replaced by a selectable option to return direct to BBC News 24.


As I said, nothing to see really. Just guessing how it might work!

OK, that was the simple solution - now this is a bit more innovative.


Basically, it makes use of all the BBCi streams available, with at least one permanent two screen service.


The main screens are what you access first, with a revamped layout meaning bigger screens:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/brekkieboy2001/mocks-other/multi300.gif

You simply switch from one screen to the other using the arrows.


However, when 301 and 302 are not in use upto four more screens are available.

Pressing GREEN brings up a video menu at the bottom, and selecting the screen takes you to the relevant page. (It could just be a standard pop-up menu though).

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/brekkieboy2001/mocks-other/multi301.gif


When no additional screens are available, there is a simple message telling you.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/brekkieboy2001/mocks-other/multi302.gif



So that's the more innovative solution which will always have the two screens Freeview viewers are used too, but when available there will be an extra two or four screens to choose from. (And they are all slightly bigger too!)


(Apologies for the quality of the compression)

I like the idea of using 301/302 when available, but it probably won't happen. I think your first mock is more likely, but I'd like to see the screens made bigger.

digiperson

good quality, I like this.

Nice idea on using 301/2 but 301 seems to have been reserved now for CBBC Xtra when there's no other interactive services that need running and 302 is off-air from 6am for the Community Channel (and heavily underused the rest of the time but that's a different topic).

Four out of five, the idea is sound, even if it will never happen in a month of Sundays

I like both versions.

Thanks for the comments.


I do prefer the second plan to the first - actually even if it's just the two options, as it's probably better than squeezing in four.


Of course there would be limitations in using 301/302 downtime - but I do think for a considerable chunk of the week at least one would be available to offer two extra screens.


As for fighting CBBC Extra for space - maybe it's just me but it comes across more as a filler than an essential extra, so considering they already make the content for the multiscreens on Sky, I think overtime it would take priority.



Progressing even further, I've mentioned this a few times when we've discussed On Demand that ultimately if has potential to offer a more truly interactive service, with viewers able to watch selected content from start to finish, rather than joining a loop.

Obviously via true On-Demand (like cable) it's just a case of selecting the service and it playing, but I'm sure it would be ultimately possible on a service like Top Up TV Anytime with content playing out on a stream and recorded automatically each time it updates.

It would also mean other looped interactive content like CBBC Extra or things like the Beyonce gig currently available could also be downloaded at a certain time - freeing up more space for live channel streaming.