YLE plans unified ‘killer app’ for mobile

Finish public broadcaster YLE is looking to launch a “killer app” that will unify its existing mobile offerings, according to head of television and online, Kuulasmaa Risto.

Speaking at MIPCOM in Cannes, Risto said: “YLE has created 26 apps, so it’s been a very organic strategy so far, but most likely we will start to connect the apps and create some sort of killer app for YLE.”
Speaking on a panel session titled ‘broadcast – simple as an app’, Risto also said that YLE’s recently launched digital platform YLE Folk offers a space for youth to create and become a part of the public broadcaster.

Risto said the launch of the user-generated content portal was a very user-centric process, with the young users choosing the name, logo and content genres that YLE Folk covers.

“[We were] just responding and showing the young faces there that yes we are with you guys and we even have money for you to come here. We pay better than YouTube and you are free to release your material also on YouTube – give us the premiere night and then do whatever you want with your material,” said Risto.