Are recommendation algorithms holding us back? Rethinking music discovery with Orbit

What if discovering new music didn't rely on recommendation algorithms? In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph Turner is joined by Mathieu Triay and Andrew Wood to explore Orbit, an experimental music discovery platform developed by BBC R&D and BBC Introducing. Together, they discuss the research, design, and development behind the project, and the challenge of creating a more intentional and enjoyable way to discover music. What does a public-service approach to experience design look like? This conversation explores how Orbit is rethinking music discovery and encouraging audiences to follow their curiosity. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the work discussed in this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/orbitmusichttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-03-orbit-music-discovery-designhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-orbithttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-06-music-industry-creator-rights-data-payments Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

Audiences are looking for new ways to connect with the events they love. This summer, BBC R&D trialled SIGNALS at the Wimbledon Championships, offering audiences a new and interactive way to experience live tennis. In this episode of Inside R&D, Joseph Turner sits down with Laura Harrison, Principal Product Manager, to discuss the SIGNALS trial, exploring how the idea came to life, the journey from concept to delivery, and why interactive experiences are becoming an increasingly important part of the future of live events. Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the work discussed in this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-05-signals-interactive-live-tv-engagementhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-06-signals-wimbledon-live-match-interactivehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-time-addressable-media-storehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2017-12-object-based-mediahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/articles/cvg360rr91zohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/research/wimbledon-and-the-bbc Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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 in the wider industry. Across three short conversations, they explore what’s changing, what’s exciting, and what’s coming next for media and technology and what that means for the BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/producing-audio-experienceshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/personalised-accessible-audio-experienceshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/research_article_frontiers_vr_interactive_audio_augmented_reality_participatory_performancehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-12-immersive-gaming-concert-experiencehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/decarbonizing-media-broadcast-streaminghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/cloud-computing-energy-monitoring-footprinthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-01-sustainability-web-energy-consumption  Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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. Sam reflects on the role of open standards, collaboration across the industry, and what it really takes to evolve media production without losing sight of editorial values. From live workflows to emerging uses of automation, this conversation offers a glimpse into how TAMS could influence what comes next for the industry.Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode:https://youtu.be/W7WAV65duj0https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-cloud-software-based-broadcast-facilitieshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-time-addressable-media-storehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-ibc-2025https://tech.ebu.ch/dmf/mxl Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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 standards and expectations to understanding the risks of disengagement, this episode examines why sustained investment in AI research is vital to delivering public value in an AI‑driven future.Follow the links below to learn more about BBC R&D’s research and the things mentioned in this episode:R&D's AI & ML research page - https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/BBC Verify - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverifyhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-ai-content-detectionhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/deepfake-detection-image-manipulationhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/reliable-deepfake-detection-https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/articles/bbc-to-launch-new-generative-ai-pilots-to-support-news-production/https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-natural-language-processing-news-editorial-toolshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-10-computer-vision-virtual-production-archives-anonymisationhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002792vFind us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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 examine how BBC FWD is shaping fresh opportunities for storytellers, and what it takes to build a future where technology elevates creativity rather than replaces it. Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-creators-economy-rights-distributed-ledger-musichttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-03-phare/https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2026-02-technology-trends-new-experiences-young-peoplehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-09-news-content-verification-credentials-trusthttps://c2pa.org Colleagues we mentioned in this episode:Jatin Aythora – DirectorAntonia Kerle – Chief Technical Advisor (Antonia’s Episode) Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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 wondered why public service values still matter in a world driven by rapid commercial tech cycles, Chris offers compelling answers. Follow the links below to learn more about the things mentioned in this episode:https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/cakehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/object-based-mediahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/object-based-media-toolkithttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2017-11-running-an-ip-studiohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/ Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment

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-facilitieshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/topics/ip-productionhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-12-immersive-interactive-live-music-experienceshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2024-09-immersive-augmented-virtual-reality-metaverse-3d Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: 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-waithttps://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/click-360-cernhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_OeQxoKocUhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2014-07-bbc-rd-at-the-commonwealth-games-2014 Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: 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-systemhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/whitepaper181https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2009-11-the-ingex-project-an-introduction Find us on:Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/rdMastodon: https://social.bbc/@BBCRDX: https://x.com/bbcrdFacebook: https://facebook.com/bbcresearchanddevelopment