EBU-backed social network pilot goes live

An EBU-backed pilot that uses social networks to allow TV viewers to choose broadcasters’ schedules has launched in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Slovenia.

The project, called Eurovision TV Lab, is being trialled until September 3 by ZDF in Germany, Slovenia’s RTVSLO and VRT in Belgium, with users able to vote for their favourite pilot programmes, which will then form part of the schedule. The scheme was developed by Dutch broadcaster NPO in 2009, and Bettina Brinkmann, head of entertainment, fiction and arts said, “This is an innovative and exciting way to offer younger audiences a choice of new public service television formats.”

A report featuring the results of trial will be published on 12 September.