The BBC News website is gearing up to unveil its new look which will include wider pages and bigger images, according to website editor Steve Herrmann.
The current look dates back to 2003 and it is showing its age. After all, Internet time moves at a faster pace than regular time.
But one of the most welcomed changes will be the use of Flash embedded video, rather than pop-ups in Real or Windows Media format. This is already been used on some stories, and it is working. Herrmann writes:
Early signs suggest that on those stories where we’ve embedded the video in a story, as opposed to providing the link to a pop-up player as we’ve done up to now, the video gets about ten times more usage than before. So it looks like it’s working well so far.
What will be interesting to see if the video offered is more than recycled TV pieces. The video should complement and enhance existing stories, rather than duplicating them, and this means investing in bespoke for the website.
PDF