IBC to honour NHK Research Organisation

IBC will this year present its highest award – the International Honour for Excellence – to NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories (STRL).

Japanese public service broadcaster NHK has been a leading force in developing new techniques and technology for broadcasting since its formation in 1930.

Having recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories has been at the forefront of research in broadcasting technology, working on both practical solutions to current issues and visionary future technologies which transform the way broadcast professionals create content.

NHK STRL pioneered high definition television, including the development of plasma displays. Among its many current strands of research is Super Hi-Vision, its implementation of high resolution broadcasting which offers a screen resolution 16 times greater than today’s HD.

Chair of the IBC Council, Peter Owen said, “The contribution to broadcasting technology made by NHK cannot be underestimated, their work has always been revolutionary, but equally important NHK has been generous with its efforts, collaborating with international bodies like the ITU, ABU and SMPTE.”

The IBC International Honour for Excellence is presented each year to an outstanding individual or organisation that has fostered or contributed to the relationship between technology and creativity in the broadcast, movie or media industries.