EBU Member organisations, their personal and staff working at the EBU offices share the common goal of desiring to develop media technology for the benefit of the audience. In recent weeks, four different awards were handed out or announced for innovative technical work in the media industry. A brief summary:
France Télévisions
During IBC 2011, France Télévisions has won a Connected World TV Award for launching France's first HbbTV-based interactive sports broadcast, covering the Roland Garros tennis tournament. The result brought a compelling new experience of the French Open to viewers across the country.
NHK
Japanese public broadcaster NHK, an associate Member of the EBU, was named Broadcaster of the Year at the Connected World TV Awards. The organisation received the price for its online coverage of the tsunami and its aftermath, earlier this year.
France Télévisions representatives (left), David Wood and Dr Cristoph Dosch (right)
David Wood
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is to honour David Wood, EBU Deputy Director, Technology and Development. Mr Wood will receive the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the development of broadcast technology standards, which include (but are not limited to) ITU Rec 601 (the basis of digital television), the AES/EBU interface, and the DVB standards. Mr Wood will receive the price at the ABU meeting in New Delhi, on 3 November 2011.
ITU-R Study Group 6
In January 2012 ITU-R Study Group 6, which is chaired by Dr Christoph Dosch (IRT) will receive an Emmy award for its standardisation of the ITU-R BS.1770 loudness algorithm, which forms the basis of the widely adopted EBU R 128.