Technology produced by Calgary-based RightsMarket has proved to be the right choice for the CBC.
Radio listeners who want transcripts of lectures or audio recordings of concerts will be able to log on to the broadcaster’s Web site, or on to the site for individual shows, and download the material using the RightsPublish system.
The project announced last week covers only radio content for now, but RightsMarket’s technology works for video content. The Calgary company sees potential to grow into that area, says Kerk Hilton, RightsMartket’s director of investor and public relations.
Within days of beginning to install RightsPublish, it was possible to go on the CBC’s Web site and use the system to download material from two shows — Quirks and Quarks and Ideas. RightsMarket will roll out their program to cover other radio content — next on the list is The Massey Lecture Series.
The deal stirred up interest at the Frankfurt World Book Fair last week, where RightsMarket demonstrated the technology. Everybody was impressed with how quickly this was installed and running successfully, said Hilton.
Barbara Brown, manager of radio licensing for the CBC, said: “As a creator, producer and broadcaster of Canadian content we are continually evaluating ways to allow Canadians and international users to access our content over the Internet.
“Yet, at the same time, we strive to ensure that the interests of authors, artists and content owners are not compromised by the mass distribution potential of the Internet.
“Essentially, RightsMarket has provided a complete, turn-key solution to open up a new revenue channel for the sale of text and audio content.”
Hilton said the CBC estimates it has been earning revenue of $200,000 to $300,000 per year from sale of audio content before now. The deal with RightsMarket is on a revenue-sharing basis, with 20 per cent going to the Calgary company.
RightsMarket says it protects digital content from piracy and misuse, and helps content owners embrace the Internet as a place to do business.
