The Cultural Channel Experimental 24/7 Broadcast System

Each second information is added and deleted to the internet, creating the worlds largest dynamic information mechanism. In this ebb and flow of data it is important to create intelligent points of intersection. Bringing associated content together is the new challenge of the information saturated societies. The Cultural Channel intends to do this by organising a wide array of streaming media files already available on the internet into a comprehensive and intelligent continuous 24/7 online broadcast experience.

Despite the internet-hype, there has been no hardware revolution leading the PCs to replace traditional media consumption technologies like the television. However there has been a steady increase in the amount of content created for the Internet that shares the same linear form of traditional broadcast formats. Many individual arts/cultural groups and organisations produce this kind of streaming content on a weekly basis. In addition, content is also available in archives  which hold many hours of streaming content that is art or related to the arts

It is difficult to keep informed about this content and there is no collection point where information about this kind of information can be easily accessed. The Cultural Channel aims to remedy this by researching and filtering content, adding it first to the database of the r a d i o q u a l i a technology, the frequency clock, and then to a schedule that is dynamically integrated into the Frequency Clock player software. The result for the user is a 24/7 continuous streamed program of arts/cultural content.

Due to the flexible nature of the timetabling system, all scheduling will be done on-site at ARS as there is no need to pre-programme the Cultural Channel. Throughout the event, those attending ARS Electronica, are invited to work, with or watch the team working with the scheduling mechanisms.

The Cultural Channel team will consist of a small working team of skilled streaming media practitioners (Adam Hyde, Honor Harger, Nic Limper and James Stevens). The personal will work at ARS Electronica to co-ordinate the 24/7 program timetable as well as producing some on-site material in the form of short interviews of artists and presenters at the event.

Adam Hyde
http://www.frequencyclock.net/