CONFERENCE THEME
Over the past number of years, conversation and debate with regard to the media industry has centred on a number of key areas: platform convergence; user-generated content; market fragmentation; cross-media content provision. It seems that the line between content provider and citizen/consumer has blurred and that there is now a fundamental shift in how information is generated, distributed and owned. This raises the question as to whether broadcasters need to adopt increasingly imaginative approaches to content delivery and platform utilisation, and raises particular challenges with regard to media regulation.
This year the BCI National Conference will address the various propositions for the delivery of content across different media. It will look at the proposals for commercial digital terrestrial television in Ireland, while considering the experience to date of digital switchover in the UK. As the Commission embarks on the development of policy for digital radio, conference delegates will have an opportunity to examine and question the scenarios for radio’s digital future. Developments in new media and its interface with traditional media at a national, European and international level will be presented, in addition to considering issues regarding social media and engaging consumers. The conference will also address the themes of audience measurement, from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.
2008 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Radio and Television Act. This year’s panel debate will look at development trends in the sector to date and will consider implications against the backdrop of a new regulatory system for broadcast media in Ireland.