BBC Red Button

Overview

The BBC launched its first pilot of the Red Button in 1998. From this, the service has evolved and become hugely popular, with an average of 11 million people using it a week. It has allowed us to provide audiences with access to the latest News, Weather and other general information, while also enabling the delivery of an enhanced experience across major sporting and entertainment events. Over the past 10 years, BBC’s Red Button service has won over 15 awards, including 4 Bafta’s™ and an International Emmy™ for Best Interactive Service in 2007.

The BBC currently offers a range of genre based 24/7 digital text and interactive content on the digital satellite, cable and terrestrial (DTT) platforms. These are freely accessible behind the red button. Recent additions include Children’s games, more text information and Sport Multiscreen.

Going forward, services that take advantage of emerging platforms (IPTV) or new technologies will also form a key part of BBC Red Button strategy. Priority will be given to proposals that reach under-served audiences, promote education and learning and enable users to connect with each other and the BBC.

Commissioning

We have recently worked with external suppliers to launch some Children’s games and feed based services on digital satellite, cable and DTT.

As new requirements are identified, opportunities to bid for work will normally go to BBC approved suppliers. If you have production experience in this area, we'd like you to apply to become a BBC Approved supplier .

Details of BBC Red Button Commissioning contacts .

Technical and Design Standards

Interactive TV applications across different digital platforms are usually complex to build and deploy. In the interests of helping the production community to develop, the BBC has published Technical Standards documentation and also a Design Style Guide .

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