Editor

MIPTV featuring MILIA 2006, today announces the launch of “Content 360” – a new international competition to commission innovative, interactive content and applications for mobile and broadband. The winning projects will receive a share of a minimum €75,000 development fund. MIPTV featuring MILIA takes place in Cannes, France, April 3-7.

Organised in partnership with the UK’s public broadcaster, the BBC, and the Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC), Content 360 will invite multimedia and application developers to present original ideas which fully exploit the creative potential of new digital platforms and maximise the interaction between audiences and broadcast TV.

Entrants will be invited to respond to a series of creative briefs before 14 February 2006.

Nominees in four categories will pitch their projects to a judging panel of BBC Commissioners on April 5-6, 2006 at MIPTV featuring MILIA.

In addition, content developers will be invited to compete for the “DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)/MobileTV Content and Applications Award,” presented by the Korean Broadcasting Commission.

The initiative will also include a dedicated pavilion and networking area in the MIPTV featuring MILIA exhibition, specialised conferences and workshops, and an evening showcase of winning projects.

“By creating Content 360, we want to provide an incubator, essential to the development of truly creative cross-platform talent, while also offering the TV industry the opportunity to discover the latest content innovations evolving from convergence,” says Ted Baracos, Director of MILIA.

Ashley Highfield, Director of BBC New Media & Technology comments: “As a pioneer in driving digital services and interactivity, the BBC is delighted to be part of a programme that will stimulate the new media industry to develop innovative ideas for internet and mobile.”

Young Mi Lee, Director for KBC’s International Affairs Division, adds: “With both commercial services of T-DMB and S-DMB now making headway, Korea leads the world in mobile multimedia broadcasting. We hope to create a window of opportunity for global content trendsetters to participate in the making of the next generation media.”

A call for entries to Content 360 will be sent out shortly. The initiative will specifically encourage projects which involve user-generated content and maximum interactivity.