How do I contact Big Screens?
What's on the Big Screens?
How does the Big Screen operate?
What is the business model?
What kind of sites are appropriate?
What is the roll out plan?
How far could the scheme extend?
How do I contact Big Screens?
Please visit our feedback page.
What's on the Big Screens?
Whilst local content is a top priority for each screen, the BBC underpins this with a schedule of live television programmes from its wide range of channels, focusing on major events, local and national news, sport, the arts, music and entertainment. The video content is accompanied by a high quality audio feed, except overnight when the sound is muted. For much of the time, the screen is split via a number of dynamic templates.
Whilst video runs on most of the screen, there is also a text box, which supports localised information. There's a local weather forecast, a clock/date display and information "ticker" runs along the base of the screen with news, sport and information.
Other non-commercial partners provide content for the screens. The Cornerhouse in Manchester, supported by the City Council and The Arts Council of England, has pioneered daily screenings of the work of local film makers, under the title "The Bigger Picture". From the first school video projects by local children to the work of international video artists, the Manchester screen carries an hour of rich and diverse locally made films each day.
Similar initiatives were developed for PSB screens in Birmingham, Liverpool and Hull, which were launched in 2003/4. Local events are relayed onto the screens and sometimes integrate with major national and broadcast events such as Wimbledon, The Eurovision Song Contest, Proms in the Park, VE Day and a series of exclusive relays from the Royal Opera House. Many of these events and major broadcast relays can attract audiences of up to 8,000 people.
The technology has also been developed to allow daily interaction between the public and their screen, from simple texting of messages to sophisticated video games between teams in different cities in the UK and abroad.
The PSB Screen is both a giant digital canvas connected to a high quality global super-highway and a twenty first century community notice board.
back to top
How does the big Screen operate?
Each screen has its own dedicated schedule created, implemented and monitored by a BBC screen manager located at the nearest BBC centre. The screen manager oversees the editorial standards of all content, nurtures key partnerships and consults the other stakeholders in regular meetings.
The City Council is generally a key content partner, mounting or licensing events and managing the public viewing space in front of the screen. Other stakeholders, including sponsors, local community arts and media groups, local businesses and a range of neighbouring organisations make important contributions to the project.
What is the business model?
The PSB screens are a public service project and operate on a not-for-profit basis. The BBC provides its programme content free of charge and augments this with the services of a Screen Manager.
The screen itself and associated hardware is financed by a consortium which generally includes the local authority and LOCOG (the organisation behind the London Olympic Games). Public access to view the screen is always free, and the PSB screens do not run commercial advertisements.
What kind of sites are appropriate?
The PSB screens will operate to best effect in the heart of UK cities as part of a programme of city centre animation and regeneration. Investment in the screen is maximised by a busy site with strong regular footfall. The location also needs sufficient space for larger numbers to gather for major events and street furniture to encourage casual viewing. Retail and other business districts are usually more appropriate than residential areas. Planning permission and technical infrastructure can also be key factors in deciding upon screen locations.
What is the roll-out plan?
The current list of sites is hoped to be augmented by more screens this year as other cities follow across the UK. A large number of towns and cities have expressed their interest in the project. The location and siting of the new Big Screens is being handled directly by LOCOG (the organisation behind the London Olympic Games) and the local authorities. It is therefore not a BBC decision as to where the screens are sited; our involvement is of an editorial nature and starts once the screen has been installed and handed over to us to run. Each screen site is dependant on planning permission being granted by the local authority, which can often be a complex and lengthy process. LOCOG is still in discussions with other cities across the UK with a view to rolling out more sites in the coming months and years ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.
In previous years, the BBC's truck-mounted touring screen was on the road again. It combined local events and relays of major national and international broadcast events, and augmented many BBC live broadcasts. The touring screen was a response to the exceptional summer of major events and also gave more cities a flavour of the PSB screen concept. In 2004 and 2005, it visited over 20 cities and was seen by more than five million people. In 2006, it undertook a special World Cup tour with BBC Five Live.
How far could the scheme extend?
The response so far suggests that, as the technology continues to mature, the use of PSB screens could become an increasingly popular civic facility. As the range of public information, events, entertainment and interactive services continue to develop it is possible to envisage a world in which a public space broadcasting screen, operated in the interests of the public, becomes a standard part of the urban infrastructure. A network of screens could interact with each other, sharing content and experiences.
Creating a new urban focal point, a new gathering place and a new events arena, it is already being suggested that PSB screens may have a key role to play in the regeneration of UK urban life.
back to top
