The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) started out as a technology organization, creating a radio transmission system, says Brandon Butterworth, chief scientist at BBC Research.

Although The BBC has  been more visible as a content provider, it has always helped develop the next generation of content delivery technology, Butterworth told us in a video at DCD’s Zettastructure event in London earlier this month. A lot of the standards for TV broadcast have been created by the corporation.

High-concept ideas like 3D, augmented reality and virtual reality have limited applications so far - but a more humble-sounding change in protocol could have very far-reaching results. The move to IP (internet protocol) will allow more personalized content, constructed from the elements of the program on delivery, tailoring it for different devices and users.