Sky 3D pioneer joins Deutsche Telekom
Former BSkyB director of strategic product development, Gerry O’Sullivan, one of the driving forces behind Sky’s stereo 3D sport coverage, has joined Deutsche Telekom AG as its vice president of global TV and entertainment, writes UK Correspondent, Will Strauss.
In his new role O’Sullivan will be responsible for the product management and development of linear and non-linear TV services over IP including the ‘Entertain’ platform, ‘videoload’, ‘musicload’, and ‘gamesload’ services.
A stereo 3D pioneer, O’Sullivan was instrumental in the launch of Sky 3DTV, driving proof-of-concept research projects that included coverage of a Ricky Hatton boxing bout and footage gathered at a Liverpool FC Champions League football match.
O’Sullivan told SVG Europe that his new role will allow him to be at the forefront of IPTV development.
“From a personal point of view, after a ten year career at Sky launching Sky+HD and then Sky 3D I really wanted to be a part of what I believe is going to deliver the next generation of TV and Entertainment experiences,” he said.
“Yes the over used ‘cloud’ will be where all our TV and Entertainment needs will be served from the traditional line up of linear channels, to infinite libraries of VOD, music, games and true immersive interactivity. This whole experience will be highly personalised and intuitive with seamless transitions as you move between your TV, iPad, PC,mobile phone and other connected devices.”
O’Sullivan started his career at BBC News and Current Affairs in London, going on to direct all the main BBC news programmes during an 11 year stint at the publically funded broadcaster.
After the BBC O’Sullivan joined Australia’s first 24-hour news channel as Head of Production before moving to New York in 1993 where he was responsible for the launch of the New York broadcast channel WBIS+ as Director of Operations and Engineering.
In 1997 he joined Fox News Channel before returning to the UK to join British Sky Broadcasting where he was responsible for Strategic Development and delivery of Sky’s products and services on the DSAT and Online platforms. He left in May 2010 during an operational restructure.
Deutsche Telekom has launched IPTV services, some in partnerships, in more than ten countries, selling more than 1.6mn subscriptions to its IPTV service ‘T-Home Entertain’ by the end of 2010.
In January 2010, Sky became the first broadcaster in the world to show a live sporting event in 3D when it screened the Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.