Chris Forrester, on 11-09-2008
In 1997 the BBC’s World Service transmission business was spun-off. Today the business is better known as VT Communications (and part of ship-building and defence outfit VT Group) and it has seen revenues double in size to £107m, and growing typically by 16% pa.


VT Communications still handles BBC World Service transmissions, as well as comms for the UK government and MOD, NATO and broadcasters like NHK, Deutsche Welle and the Voice of America. VT is offering radio broadcasters a chance of getting on air at a rock-bottom price.

VT Communications is offering what is described as a “Taste of Digital” and allowing small to medium sized radio broadcasters the chance to test their programmes on digital platforms over a three-month period. “It includes the delivery of radio programming via live streaming, audio-on-demand and podcasting and is available for under £1,500 per month,” says VT.

The package also lets broadcasters capture feedback from listeners. This will provide valuable information for advertisers and ensure that the new services are appealing to the broadcaster’s core audience, as well as attracting a new range of listeners.

The growing market for digital media technologies offers huge opportunities for the broadcast community. But there is a real danger it may pass smaller broadcasters by because they cannot afford to make long term financial commitments to technologies they have not had the chance to trial. “Taste of Digital” has been specifically tailored to help smaller broadcasters assess how their programming works on a digital platform without having to invest in expensive new infrastructure or rely on a range of different suppliers. Broadcasters only need to select a programme (up to an hour a day) and deliver it to VT Communications, who will then provide the following:

• Scheduled “live” streaming of the show from the broadcaster’s website to its audience around the world, cost effectively capturing a new and geographically diverse audience
• Downloads from the broadcaster’s website for up to three months, so that its audience can listen to any of its shows when it suits them
• Podcasts of the show for the broadcaster’s audience to subscribe to so that they regularly receive its content
• Links to place onto the broadcaster’s website to enable its audience to access these services
• Access to real user data including measuring listener usage patterns of the digital content

Bryan Coombes, Director of Broadcast at VT Communications, added: “Moving from traditional radio into the digital age can be a challenging prospect to broadcasters. How can they embrace the new world of podcasts, audio-on-demand and mobile phone technology in a way that appeals to a new audience We ensure that broadcasters don’t need to liaise with multiple suppliers, taking up time that could be channeled into doing what they do best – making quality programmes for their audiences.”

Source: Rapid TV News 2008

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