BBC launches vertical video in News App
The BBC is launching a new vertical video experience in its News App, giving users the opportunity to swipe through a curated list of up-to-date news videos. The content has been designed for smartphone viewing and will have subtitles. The app will also debut vertical interstitial ad formats. The BBC has created the app to “re-think” its best medium of video for mobile, making viewing times short and easily digestible.

The BBC has launched a new vertical video experience in its News app. Users can swipe through a curated list of ‘videos of the day’, to get an up-to-date summary of the day’s news in an easy-to-consume and engaging format.

All content is created specifically with smartphone users in mind: the videos are succinct and sharply edited, designed to be viewed vertically in full screen, and have subtitles. In addition the app will debut new vertical interstitial ad formats.

James Montgomery, Digital Development Director for BBC News said: “Video remains the medium in which much of our best journalism is told, but the storytelling needs to be re-thought for mobile. The key to success is the combination of relevance and reward: videos that are not only great to watch, but which are offered in formats that are optimised for smartphones.

“We know that mobile users check their phones frequently but don’t have time to stay for long. In many cases, this is on their morning commute and again at home in the evening when they want to catch up on the day. The new index helps them find the best videos quickly, and presents it to them in a digestible and finite package.”