Inside R&D: Innovation Explained

How is TAMS reshaping media production? From concept to industry standard

Once a research concept, the Time‑Addressable Media Store is now a real‑world workflow beginning to make its mark on media production.   In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph Turner speaks to Sam Mesterton‑Gibbons, a senior engineer at the heart of TAMS. Together, they explore what TAMS is, why it was built, and how it’s been designed to support fast‑turnaround, cloud‑native ways of working. Sam reflects on the role of open standards, collaboration across the industry, and what it really takes to evolve media production without losing sight of editorial values. From live workflows to emerging uses of automation, this conversation offers a glimpse into how TAMS could influence what comes next for the industry. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/W7WAV65duj0 [https://youtu.be/W7WAV65duj0] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-cloud-software-based-broadcast-facilities [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-cloud-software-based-broadcast-facilities] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-time-addressable-media-store [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-time-addressable-media-store] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-ibc-2025 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-ibc-2025] https://tech.ebu.ch/dmf/mxl [https://tech.ebu.ch/dmf/mxl]   Find us on: Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd] Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD [https://social.bbc/@BBCRD] X: https://x.com/bbcrd [https://x.com/bbcrd] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment [https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment]

Does AI research contribute to public value? Why the BBC must be part of the conversation.

Danijela Horak led AI Research at BBC R&D for three years. Before she departed in 2025, we had the opportunity to reflect with her on why AI research matters for public service. In this conversation, we unpack the strategic and cultural role of AI research within a public service organisation, and why responsible development and participation matter as much as innovation. From shaping standards and expectations to understanding the risks of disengagement, this episode examines why sustained investment in AI research is vital to delivering public value in an AI‑driven future. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode: R&D's AI & ML research page - https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/] BBC Verify - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-ai-content-detection [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-ai-content-detection] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/deepfake-detection-image-manipulation [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/deepfake-detection-image-manipulation] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/reliable-deepfake-detection- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/reliable-deepfake-detection-] https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/articles/bbc-to-launch-new-generative-ai-pilots-to-support-news-production/ [https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/articles/bbc-to-launch-new-generative-ai-pilots-to-support-news-production/] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-natural-language-processing-news-editorial-tools [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-natural-language-processing-news-editorial-tools] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-computer-vision-virtual-production-archives-anonymisation [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-computer-vision-virtual-production-archives-anonymisation] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002792v [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002792v] Find us on: Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd] Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD [https://social.bbc/@BBCRD] X: https://x.com/bbcrd [https://x.com/bbcrd] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment [https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment]

Will technology and culture shape the BBC’s future? Why empowered creators are key to innovation

Manon Dave, Creative Technologist and leader of BBC R&D’s new FWD team, joins us to introduce their mission and mindset. He discusses the importance of supporting the creator economy and why it will be an essential part of the BBC’s public service remit. From “TV moments” in a fragmented landscape to exploring how AI can meaningfully augment creative workflows, and unpack true innovation, we examine how BBC FWD is shaping fresh opportunities for storytellers, and what it takes to build a future where technology elevates creativity rather than replaces it.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-creators-economy-rights-distributed-ledger-music [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-creators-economy-rights-distributed-ledger-music] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-phare/ [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-phare/] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-02-technology-trends-new-experiences-young-people [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-02-technology-trends-new-experiences-young-people] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-news-content-verification-credentials-trust [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-news-content-verification-credentials-trust] https://c2pa.org [https://c2pa.org/]   Colleagues we mentioned in this episode: Jatin Aythora – Director [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/author/?id=author-people-jatin-aythora] Antonia Kerle – Chief Technical Advisor [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/author/?id=author-people-antonia-kerle] (Antonia’s Episode [https://open.spotify.com/episode/54636bDHo8yKZG58ex8Pb9?si=d652526ea3ea4c54])   Find us on: Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd] Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD [https://social.bbc/@BBCRD] X: https://x.com/bbcrd [https://x.com/bbcrd] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment [https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment]

How do you take innovation beyond the lab? Bridging the gap between research and audiences

In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph sits down with Chris Northwood, former Senior Research Technologist, whose work helped shape some of the organisation’s most forward‑thinking tools, workflows, and production technologies. Together, they explore the full journey from early concepts to industry‑defining products, and what it really takes to move innovation beyond the lab. If you’ve ever wondered why public service values still matter in a world driven by rapid commercial tech cycles, Chris offers compelling answers.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/cake [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/cake] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/object-based-media [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/object-based-media] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/object-based-media-toolkit [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/object-based-media-toolkit] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2017-11-running-an-ip-studio [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2017-11-running-an-ip-studio] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/]   Find us on: Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd] Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD [https://social.bbc/@BBCRD] X: https://x.com/bbcrd [https://x.com/bbcrd] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment [https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment]

Can public service drive change in tech? How the BBC is shaping an industry for the public good

Jon Page, former Head of Technology Strategy at BBC R&D, reflects on the pioneering internet‑based production workflows and audience‑shaping innovations he helped steer during his 13‑year tenure. He shares how long‑term thinking, a deep commitment to public‑service values, and close collaboration with entrepreneurial partners enabled R&D to influence industry standards and anticipate technological shifts. Together, we explore how BBC R&D continues to shape the future of media for the public good.   Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2019-01-ip-production-standards-interoperability-facilities [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2019-01-ip-production-standards-interoperability-facilities] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/ip-production [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/ip-production] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-12-immersive-interactive-live-music-experiences [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-12-immersive-interactive-live-music-experiences] https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-immersive-augmented-virtual-reality-metaverse-3d [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-immersive-augmented-virtual-reality-metaverse-3d]   Find us on: Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd [https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd] Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD [https://social.bbc/@BBCRD] X: https://x.com/bbcrd [https://x.com/bbcrd] Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment [https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment]