ABC chairman Justin Milne has outlined the public broadcaster’s big transformational plans for the future, which need the federal government’s help.
Speaking to The Australian, Milne revealed that the ABC is planning on building a huge digital database for all of its content as part of its transformation strategy, dubbed “Project Jetstream”.
“There will be a big database into which we will pour audio video assets, complete shows, rushes, news footage, news segments and archival footage,” Milne said.
“Audio-visual pieces of content will live in that database.”
The database will basically be like iView on steroids, and will sit next to traditional TV until its signal is turned off for good, according to The Australian.
Milne said the ABC plans to refine and pitch its idea to the government as a one-off capital expenditure that is set to cost in the tens of millions of dollars, and would take decades to complete.
However, The Australian noted that the digital database idea could save the government millions of dollars in the long-run by avoiding duplication, slashing broadcasting infrastructure spend and enabling it to sell off broadcasting spectrum.
