Feature: New EnhanceTV Service Benefits Filmmakers

After almost a decade of making it easy for teachers to use television in the classroom, EnhanceTV has launched a new download service that works with cutting edge learning technologies, and benefits filmmakers.

EnhanceTV was originally set up by Screenrights to help teachers get more out of their television copying licence, providing a host of free resources, such as study guides, articles and an online television guide that lets teachers know about upcoming educational broadcasts.

Four years ago the site expanded to supply copies of programs to teachers at Screenrights licensed educational institutions. Teachers can order copies of programs they forget to record, or they can request a copy to be made. Until recently, these copies were only available on DVD, delivered by post. This has now changed. The new Video Download service means orders can be made online and programs downloaded straight onto a hard drive or into a content management system such as Clickview or Digital Video Commander.

EnhanceTV Project Manager Jamie LeHuray said the benefits for educators are immediately obvious.

“There’s cost – download files are cheaper than DVDs and educators don’t have to pay for the freight – but there’s also immediacy. This is particularly important for educators who want to deal with issues relating to current events, or who don’t have much lead time in preparing content for students.”

But there are also other less obvious advantages, including increased flexibility of use.

The relatively small size of the files means that they can be easily downloaded and shared between staff and students. The files are also of a quality where they can be used in a group situation via a projector or whiteboard, or for individual use via existing computer networks, without the issues associated with sharing larger DVD quality files.

“The classroom is changing dramatically,” Mr LeHuray said, “and it’s essential that the way in which programs are supplied under the Screenrights licence works with the technologies that teachers are using. It means the licence remains relevant and this helps ensure ongoing payment for the filmmakers who make the programs being used in class.”

Returns to filmmakers are marginally higher for download files than DVDs, and by offering flexibilty and choice, EnhanceTV hopes to increase the level of use of the existing archive of titles – and each use generates a new payment for the filmmakers.

In the first couple of months of operation, a large proportion of the downloaded titles have been Australian documentaries, news and current affairs, including Message Stick, Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent and Behind the News.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, Head of Business & Operations, Television Management, ABC said the ABC was proud to commission and support programs that have an educational benefit to audiences.

“Providing content that offers a visual insight into people's lives and tells stories, including stories told through the eyes of Australians overseas, or from a younger perspective, adds a diversity and plurality of voice that can be heard, seen and used in the classroom,” he said.

Speaking about the new EnhanceTV Video Download service, he said: “The benefits of being able to access material more easily clearly allow educators more options in the classroom and more variety in terms of displaying and discussing a wide range of topics. From a broader public policy perspective it is vital that the ABC and its producers share the benefits of Screenrights revenue, as this revenue directly returns to the commissioning of Australian content.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Sharon Ramsay-Luck, National Manager, Content Sales and Distribution, SBS. The broadcaster has also had several titles downloaded via the new service.

"SBS creates a wealth of locally produced content that is of significant value and relevance to the educational market,” she said. “It's impressive that Screenrights continues to innovate in providing new options and methods for accessing this content - and thereby widening its audience."