Category: BBCi
Date: 03.11.2004
Printable version
As part of
ongoing plans to improve the usability of the service, BBCi is set to
add page numbers to its digital text and video services from November
2004 using the same page numbers as CEEFAX.
BBCi interactive services are available to all digital
viewers any time of the day or night.
The BBC has diversified the range of content available
through the service in the last 12 months. As a result, accessing the
content easily has become a key challenge.
Consumer research suggests that page numbers are easy,
memorable and an effective way to reach the content.
This can be seen with viewers who have grown up with
the page numbers used by CEEFAX as a method of navigation - with most
viewers knowing their favourite page numbers off the top of their head.
The introduction of page numbers forms part of a wider
plan to improve BBCi, following the introduction of a faster service
earlier this year, and is a means of encouraging more digital viewers
to make the leap from analogue to digital.
Rahul Chakkara, BBC Controller of BBCi 24/7 interactive
television services, said: "This latest development is really about
making BBCi more efficient for the viewer, as we continue to increase
the breadth of content available through the red button.
"One of the biggest challenges has been to make
this diversity of content easily accessible for everyone.
"Research with our users has shown that page numbers
are the most effective and simple way to enable people to navigate through
our content.
"This will improve both the speed and usability
of BBCi."
Page numbers will initially be available on the satellite
platform with cable and Freeview applications to roll out over the next
few months.
