User-generated content is to the fore again in the messaging service from VoxSurf, enabling fans to comment on England World Cup qualifiers in the 'Your Shout' video messaging trial launched by BBC Match of the Day...

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VoxSurf, the London-based video messaging solution provider, announced on 13 October that the BBC has deployed its technology to power a new trial called 'Your Shout!' The trial allows football fans to send in 3G video messages with their opinions on the crucial England internationals and during Football Focus broadcasts.

Simply by making a video call to 62001 and following the on-screen instructions football fans can leave their comments, with the best content broadcast on live TV during and after the matches, which are being covered live on Match of the Day. The best videos will also be shown on the BBC Sport website.

Mobile video messaging in TV programmes

The trial is based on VoxSurf's VxOne video messaging technology, customised for the BBC. Once video messages are received they are immediately sent to the Match of the Day editorial team as emails. Additionally, the system retains the caller's number, enabling them to be contacted for further opinions or quotes.

It extends BBC Sport's current usage of video messaging capabilities, which is being used on Football Focus, the BBC's Saturday lunchtime football show. Video clips are submitted to Football Focus and then broadcast on the following week's show as well as the Football Focus website.

Audience pundits get on-show airing

"The 'Your Shout!' trial is a world first - we haven't seen another method that applies video messaging to allow users to interact with and contribute to live TV broadcasting," commented Andy Munarriz, co-founder of VoxSurf.

"It combines the immediacy of the phone with the excitement of video to allow anyone to create personalised content and become a football pundit. With 3G becoming mainstream we see major opportunities for leading broadcasters to get even closer to their viewers."

About VoxSurf Ltd:
VoxSurf, an industry pioneer in next-generation messaging, offers IP-based voicemail, videomail and unified messaging solutions to mobile, fixed line and broadband operators, as well as media organisations. VoxSurf's VxOne voice and video messaging platform delivers flexibility and interoperability, built upon open standards using VoxSurf's extensive experience in VoiceXML and IP-based messaging. The video messaging platform offers the industry an advanced user interface, combining power and flexibility in a completely interactive experience that extends beyond just sending and receiving videomails. VxOne delivers a fully functional video portal that launches a rich multi-media experience at the touch of a button - through a simple videocall. www.voxsurf.com

NMK Event: User Generated Content: The Real Deal? – November 8 2005
Speakers from: Four Docs (Channel 4), MoblogUK, Scoopt, Microsoft (MSN Spaces), Lateral (on the Levi's Antidote project), Guardian Unlimited, and Futurescape.