Inside R&D: Innovation Explained

The Media Production & Technology Show is one of the key events in the industry calendar where technology, creativity and innovation converge. As you’d expect, BBC R&D was well represented across the show.   In this special episode of  Inside R&D , Joseph Turner headed to MPTS 2026 with a camera and microphone, catching up with BBC R&D engineers and a former colleague now working i...

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....

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 standard...

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 e...

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 won...

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 techn...

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...

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 l...

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.  ...

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-virt...

In this final episode of  Inside R&D’s  inaugural series, Joseph Turner is joined by Nigel Earnshaw, an R&D Engineer, to demystify decentralised, distributed ledger technology (DLT). We explore why this tech has captured global attention, the risks that are emerging around it, and how it might have the potential to solve real world problems and even benefit the media industry. From creator...

Why does the BBC have an R&D department? In this episode, we’re joined by Antonia Kerle, Chief Technology Advisor, to uncover the origins, purpose, and impact of BBC R&D. From pioneering broadcast tech to advising on emerging technologies, this team ensures the BBC evolves with audience habits and tech trends. Discover how R&D helps the BBC stay relevant, innovative, and committed to i...

In this episode of  Inside R&D , Joseph Turner speaks to Alice Weavers from the Responsible Innovation Centre for Public Media Futures (RIC) about reimagining youth engagement in media. The Responsible Innovation Centre is an independent research centre hosted by the BBC and funded by UKRI , a non-governmental public body that directs UK research and innovation funding. From co-creating conten...

In this episode of Inside R&D, Tom Potter joins Joseph Turner to explore how the BBC is using AI to enhance journalism, accessibility, and public service media. Diving deeper into large language models (LLMs), the challenges of ensuring factual accuracy, and the importance of aligning AI tools with BBC values. From assisting our journalists to transcribing sports commentary and improving acces...

In this episode of  Inside R&D , we dive into BBC R&D’s ground-breaking efforts to tackle misinformation and restore the trust in media and news. Host Joseph Turner sits down with Principal Research Engineer Charlie Halford to explore how content credentials, open standards like C2PA, and innovative verification tools are helping journalists prove the authenticity of their stories. From de...

In this thought-provoking debut episode, Joseph Turner sits down with Natasha Westland from BBC R&D's Blue Room - our team of consumer technology experts - to explore the fast-moving world of generative AI. From creative possibilities to ethical dilemmas, Natasha shares insights on both the promise and the pitfalls of AI’s growing influence across industries. Follow the links below to lear...

Inside R&D