Broadcasting services became more interactive
Exploiting the tools derived from the IST SMARTCAST project, DW one of the primary European broadcasting services developed four key applications. These are namely the "Enhanced News", the "Campus Germany TV", the "Discover Germany/Germanizer" and the "This day in history" content formats. All applications involve video material produced by DW and feature enhanced interactivity and rely heavily on the European-wide roll out of Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) technologies that offer increased interactivity on the TV screen. The "Enhanced News" is an advanced version of the "Journal", a TV flagship programme that brings the latest news and current affairs in multilingual forms. Taking advantage of the emerging digital Interactive Television technology, the "Enhanced News" offer glossary of terms from German political life, background multilingual information, polling, additional audio content and T-Commerce application. With the focus on MHP-set-top boxes, flexible navigation through the interactive features may be possible using a standard remote control's colour and numeric keys. The "Campus Germany TV" has been built on the basis of two programmes "Tomorrow Today", for information on science and technology, and "Made in Germany" for information relating to business. In addition, the "Campus-Germany" an already existing web-portal for research and education in Germany has also contributed towards the new content format. This tri-enhanced information service offers optimised content layout on TV screens, where additional textual and audiovisual information may be broadcast during actual live programmes. Additionally, news and background information related to the topic in question, along with links, resources, personalised information and client e-mail may also be introduced. Integrating "Germany Live" and "Destination Germany" TV programmes, the "Discover Germany" introduces interactive features to the programmes. It involves presentation of German cities and landscapes and tourist activities in Germany offering travelling tips, interesting events and information on important trade fairs and congresses. The developed content is expected to be streamed via broadband Internet and integrated in a new web service primarily focused on young audiences called "The Germanizer". Finally, the existing DW web portal "Kalenderblatt.de" that provides information about important events on a specific day has been further enhanced with the "This Day in History" application. This content format may be delivered on the "Smartcast integrated content logistic platform" using content coming from various sources. The emphasis is placed on providing further background information on the topic and on current news.
