Inside R&D: Innovation Explained

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/topics/ip-production
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
 
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Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
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Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

From pioneering VR experiences to shaping the future of interactive content, Rebecca Gregory-Clarke reflects on her journey through BBC R&D and beyond. We discuss how bold ideas like immersive storytelling and audience participation redefined innovation, and why risk is essential for reward. Rebecca shares her insights on collaboration, creative technology, and the principles that still guide her work today, from experimental projects to industry game-changers.
 
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/we-wait
https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/click-360-cern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_OeQxoKocU
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2014-07-bbc-rd-at-the-commonwealth-games-2014
 
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
X: https://x.com/bbcrd
Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

Experimental ideas are often the ones that cause the biggest changes in the media industry. Former head of applied research, Production, Graham Thomas, pioneered many of those innovations during his 40 years in BBC R&D. From sports graphics and virtual studios to object‑based audio and AI‑driven production, Graham reflects on the 93 years of BBC R&D's impact, the culture that enables long‑term innovation, and why asking the right questions matters as much as answering them.
 
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2011-04-the-queens-award-winning-piero-sports-graphics-system
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whitepaper181
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2009-11-the-ingex-project-an-introduction
 
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
X: https://x.com/bbcrd
Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

In this episode of Inside R&D, we sit down with Jigna Chandaria, former BBC R&D Engineer and now Head of Sustainability at the BBC. Jigna shares her journey from pioneering sustainability research within R&D to shaping the BBC’s broader sustainability strategy today. Discover how innovation and responsibility intersect, and what it takes to make media more sustainable for the future.
 
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whp372_behavioural_data_environment_impact_electricity_consumption_tv_platforms
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/research-393-energy-footprint-bbc-radio-environment-impact-sustainability
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2020-09-sustainability-video-energy-streaming-broadcast
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sustainability/
 
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
X: https://x.com/bbcrd
Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

Join us as we celebrate BBC R&D’s recent Emmy win with Chris Pike, research scientist at Sonos and former R&D engineer. Chris shares his journey through groundbreaking audio research, the magic behind immersive soundscapes, and what the future holds for BBC R&D.
 
Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2016-05-virtual-reality-sound-in-the-turning-forest
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p03tqfs1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kKLm_9DrYA
 
 
Find us on:
Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd
Mastadon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRD
X: https://x.com/bbcrd  
Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment