UK Trade Minister Visits Pro-Bel stand at IBC
Lord Jones, the Minister for Trade and Investment, visited Pro-Bel’s stand while on a trip to IBC.
“The UK continues to take a lead in content creativity, broadcast standards and technological advance” says Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment after visiting the Pro-Bel stand at IBC (and pictured above with Pro-Bel Group Chief Executive Graham Pitman).
Lord Jones’s statement in full:
“Broadcasting has a longer history in the UK than anywhere else in the world. Dame Nellie Melba made the first radio broadcast from Marconi in Chelmsford in 1920; the British Broadcasting Company (as it then was) took to the air in 1923; and experimental television broadcasts started in the 1930s. Today, British television remains the envy of the world.”
“IBC is this year honouring the BBC’s Natural History Unit, the largest wildlife documentary production house in the world. Twenty five per cent of the world’s TV wildlife programming originates in and around Bristol, where the National History Unit is based. The UK is also seen as pioneers in digital production technology for both standard and high-definition TV. Many world-class feature films undertake production and/or ground breaking post-production activities in the UK; Hollywood’s top producers regularly turn to specialist facilities in London for special effects work such as the death and destruction in the remake of The Omen.”
“British talent both in front of and behind the camera has put the UK on the world’s cultural map. Our screen and broadcasting industries have always been at the cutting- edge of creative and technological innovation. Augmented by a vibrant commercial TV and radio sector, these strengths will continue to grow. The UK is an early adopter nation, eager to explore new technologies and new forms of entertainment content via new media, new screen platforms and new delivery technologies. Alongside the great contribution to creativity has been the history of innovation in technology which includes in areas such as fields process control and playout automation; test and measurement; and access services to ensure that every member of the audience receives the full benefit of the content. UK manufacturers have led the way in many fields and our researchers and scientists have been instrumental in establishing a great many international standards. IBC itself was founded by a British institution before it became the international success it is currently.”
“Today the industry faces new challenges, such as mobile broadcast services, which will provide new opportunities for many organisations. The sector will need to ensure reliability in delivering a high-quality product, develop a sustainable business model, win over a sceptical public and move towards global standardisation.”
“It is certainly true that IBC is the most important European event in broadcast and media at which technologists and practitioners can come together to see the latest developments, and to share experiences and knowledge.”
“For this reason, the UK Government continues to be an active supporter of IBC, with a large pavilion area and around 50 companies exhibiting at the show. According to the IABM the broadcast and media technologies industry is worth around $12.5 billion in 2007, of which, the UK accounts for around 23%. I have been very much looking forward to visiting IBC myself this year to see the latest developments in this global business, and how British companies remain in the forefront.”
Contact Information:
Company contact:
Katharine Guy
Pro-Bel Ltd
Tel: +44 1189 214 294
katharine.guy@pro-bel.com
Press contact:
Jennie Evans
Manor Marketing
Tel: +44 1635 44991
jennie@manormarketing.tv
Images available at:
www.pro-bel.com/news_and_events/c/Press Information/