Inside R&D: Innovation Explained

BBC R&D

This podcast focuses on the future of technology in media, made by the BBC’s own Research & Development team and explains the innovation behind it.

  1. 30 APR

    How is TAMS reshaping media production? From concept to industry standard

    Once a research concept, the Time‑Addressable Media Store is now a real‑world workflow beginning to make its mark on media production.   In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph Turner speaks to Sam Mesterton‑Gibbons, a senior engineer at the heart of TAMS. Together, they explore what TAMS is, why it was built, and how it’s been designed to support fast‑turnaround, cloud‑native ways of working. Sam reflects on the role of open standards, collaboration across the industry, and what it really takes to evolve media production without losing sight of editorial values. From live workflows to emerging uses of automation, this conversation offers a glimpse into how TAMS could influence what comes next for the industry. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/W7WAV65duj0https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-cloud-software-based-broadcast-facilities https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-time-addressable-media-store https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-ibc-2025 https://tech.ebu.ch/dmf/mxl   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    28 min

  2. 23 APR

    Does AI research contribute to public value? Why the BBC must be part of the conversation.

    Danijela Horak led AI Research at BBC R&D for three years. Before she departed in 2025, we had the opportunity to reflect with her on why AI research matters for public service. In this conversation, we unpack the strategic and cultural role of AI research within a public service organisation, and why responsible development and participation matter as much as innovation. From shaping standards and expectations to understanding the risks of disengagement, this episode examines why sustained investment in AI research is vital to delivering public value in an AI‑driven future. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode: R&D's AI & ML research page - https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ BBC Verify - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-ai-content-detectionhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/deepfake-detection-image-manipulationhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/reliable-deepfake-detection-https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/articles/bbc-to-launch-new-generative-ai-pilots-to-support-news-production/https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-natural-language-processing-news-editorial-toolshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-computer-vision-virtual-production-archives-anonymisationhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002792v Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    27 min

  3. 19 MAR

    Will technology and culture shape the BBC’s future? Why empowered creators are key to innovation

    Manon Dave, Creative Technologist and leader of BBC R&D’s new FWD team, joins us to introduce their mission and mindset. He discusses the importance of supporting the creator economy and why it will be an essential part of the BBC’s public service remit. From “TV moments” in a fragmented landscape to exploring how AI can meaningfully augment creative workflows, and unpack true innovation, we examine how BBC FWD is shaping fresh opportunities for storytellers, and what it takes to build a future where technology elevates creativity rather than replaces it.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-creators-economy-rights-distributed-ledger-music https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-phare/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-02-technology-trends-new-experiences-young-people https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-news-content-verification-credentials-trust https://c2pa.org   Colleagues we mentioned in this episode:Jatin Aythora – Director Antonia Kerle – Chief Technical Advisor (Antonia’s Episode)   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    37 min

  4. 29 JAN

    How do you take innovation beyond the lab? Bridging the gap between research and audiences

    In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph sits down with Chris Northwood, former Senior Research Technologist, whose work helped shape some of the organisation’s most forward‑thinking tools, workflows, and production technologies. Together, they explore the full journey from early concepts to industry‑defining products, and what it really takes to move innovation beyond the lab. If you’ve ever wondered why public service values still matter in a world driven by rapid commercial tech cycles, Chris offers compelling answers.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/cake https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/object-based-media https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/object-based-media-toolkit https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2017-11-running-an-ip-studio https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    29 min

  5. 22 JAN

    Can public service drive change in tech? How the BBC is shaping an industry for the public good

    Jon Page, former Head of Technology Strategy at BBC R&D, reflects on the pioneering internet‑based production workflows and audience‑shaping innovations he helped steer during his 13‑year tenure. He shares how long‑term thinking, a deep commitment to public‑service values, and close collaboration with entrepreneurial partners enabled R&D to influence industry standards and anticipate technological shifts. Together, we explore how BBC R&D continues to shape the future of media for the public good.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2019-01-ip-production-standards-interoperability-facilities https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/ip-production https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-12-immersive-interactive-live-music-experiences https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-immersive-augmented-virtual-reality-metaverse-3d   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    28 min

  6. 15 JAN

    Is risk the price of innovation? Why bold ideas drive audience engagement

    From pioneering VR experiences to shaping the future of interactive content, Rebecca Gregory-Clarke reflects on her journey through BBC R&D and beyond. We discuss how bold ideas like immersive storytelling and audience participation redefined innovation, and why risk is essential for reward. Rebecca shares her insights on collaboration, creative technology, and the principles that still guide her work today, from experimental projects to industry game-changers.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/we-wait https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/click-360-cern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_OeQxoKocU https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2014-07-bbc-rd-at-the-commonwealth-games-2014   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    23 min

  7. 8 JAN

    Can lab experiments change broadcast? How curiosity creates real world impact

    Experimental ideas are often the ones that cause the biggest changes in the media industry. Former head of applied research, Production, Graham Thomas, pioneered many of those innovations during his 40 years in BBC R&D. From sports graphics and virtual studios to object‑based audio and AI‑driven production, Graham reflects on the 93 years of BBC R&D's impact, the culture that enables long‑term innovation, and why asking the right questions matters as much as answering them.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2011-04-the-queens-award-winning-piero-sports-graphics-system https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whitepaper181 https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2009-11-the-ingex-project-an-introduction   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    22 min

  8. 18/12/2025

    Can media and technology be green? Inside the BBC’s path to a sustainable future

    In this episode of Inside R&D, we sit down with Jigna Chandaria, former BBC R&D Engineer and now Head of Sustainability at the BBC. Jigna shares her journey from pioneering sustainability research within R&D to shaping the BBC’s broader sustainability strategy today. Discover how innovation and responsibility intersect, and what it takes to make media more sustainable for the future.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whp372_behavioural_data_environment_impact_electricity_consumption_tv_platforms https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/research-393-energy-footprint-bbc-radio-environment-impact-sustainability https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2020-09-sustainability-video-energy-streaming-broadcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sustainability/   Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

    21 min
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This podcast focuses on the future of technology in media, made by the BBC’s own Research & Development team and explains the innovation behind it.

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