WHAT IS IT?
A unique collaboration between public service broadcasting, cutting edge giant video technology and the custodians of Britain’s leading urban environments.  Public Space Broadcasting represents a world leading media experiment.
Take the latest twenty-five square metre day-light digital videos screen, package it with a computer controlled audio system, connect it to the global broadcast network and install it in the heart of the UK’s major cities and towns.  Programme it, 24 hours a day, with relays of major broadcast events, news, sport, music, documentaries and much more.  Enrich the mix with a ‘City Diary’ listings service, a continuous ‘ticker’ of news and sports headlines, and then add a programme of local events and partnerships with community arts and media groups.  Spice it further still, with interactive facilities enabling the audience to text their comments and photo-images to the screen or even play al fresco games.

Role of Urban Screen?

• New and innovative outlet for art, culture and the local community
• To support regeneration strategies
• To encourage community engagement and connect people
• For entertainment/leisure/sports
• To provide community information and education
• To provide latest weather, traffic, temp, news, current affairs
• To carry commercial promotions/advertisements

 
Objective of an Urban Screen

• To provide facilities to manage and run your own content channel
• To be cost neutral on content production and distribution
• To provide an attractive outlet for commercial partners
• To work alongside regeneration plans

 
Benefits

• Focal point for development
• To build and host more community events and engagements
• To give a more friendly, safe atmosphere to local people at later times
• To attract pedestrian traffic to areas and local shops

 
Location

• Regeneration of the area as a destination
• Re-balance of city/town centre pedestrian traffic
• Screen to act as draw for pedestrian traffic

 
Screen Size/Position

• Located facing an open space opposite to create a destination / event space
• Size – Typically 6.5m x 4.5m.

 
Screen Management

• Screen manager / reporter
• Office facility
• Event management
• Permission

Introduction
It is built into the human psyche to gather together to engage and discuss the events and issues that have been experienced that day.
In history, this manifested itself around the Village pump where people gathered to collect water but to also exchange their experiences and views.
Later, as the social horizon changed, the pump spawned the ‘notice board’ which in turn spawned the ‘local newspaper’. The social need to gather became confined to festivals, sporting events and national celebrations.
 
The urban Spectacular provides a 21st century take on the original village pump.  Accessible to all, providing a focal point for communities to engage in national, regional and local issues and events.
 
Our goal is to provide a sustainable solution to meet the demands of the Urban Spectacular. 

​The key objectives are:

• To provide the council with facilities to manage and run their own content channel
• Energise the hearts of UK cities and towns by bringing together communities to share local, national and international events and broadcasts
• Develop a city/town centre meeting place
• Create a public news and information point
• Improve public awareness of local issues, developments, initiatives and activities
• Provide a high profile outlet for visual arts, digital innovation and local film making
• Generally help urban regeneration by improving city/town centre environment
• To develop combined content and events across multiple cities
• To be cost neutral on content production and distribution

 
Whilst the screen is managed and scheduled centrally, the host city will have control and input into the local content directly and the national content via regular programme reviews.