BBC Three to trial pioneering multi-screen application

BBC Three viewers will have the opportunity to become their own schedulers on Sunday nights in a pioneering trial starting on May 1 2005.
From 9pm on Sunday nights digital satellite viewers will be prompted to press the red button and offered the choice of three of their favourite BBC Three programmes, in addition to the channel's live transmission.
The programmes will be categorised under 'Dramatic', 'Funny' and 'Real'.
On a sample Sunday evening content available could range from 'Nighty Night' and 'Bodies' to 'Little Angels'.
Stuart Murphy, Controller of BBC Three, said: "The 'Best of Three' multi-screen trial is a bold and ground-breaking new application which offers viewers more control and greater access to the wide range of programmes on BBC Three.
"In the future we believe viewers will want to watch their favourite show when they want it and not wait until a scheduler decides to transmit it.
"It's a key stepping-stone to true video on demand in a free-to-air digital environment, and shows that we are serious about BBC Three being the country's most innovative digital channel, which evolves as fast as the audience's tastes and needs."
Emma Somerville, the BBC's Head of Interactive Programming, said: "Interactive TV can really help our audiences engage with the BBC's TV channels.
"The 'Best of Three' multi-screen will test new ways of giving viewers more flexibility over when and how they want to enjoy our programmes."
Viewers will be encouraged on air to try out the new service and the trial will last for six months.
It is hoped that the service will help to explain the multi-genre offering of BBC Three content to audiences and enable them to get more value from the full range of programmes that the channel broadcasts.
It will be designed to encourage them to sample programming they may not have engaged with before and to give them another opportunity to watch programmes that they might have missed.
The BBC plans to offer this application on Freeview and digital cable if the trial is a success.
(GB/KMcA)