Hilversum will have a Media Innovation Hub. VodafoneZiggo, Sound & Vision, Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO), CLICKNL, NEP Netherlands and the Media Park Hilversum Campus Development Committee signed a letter of intent on 14 June. The hub will focus on new applications for entertainment and media content that appeal to all the senses, also known as immersive content. The goal is to strengthen the media industry in the Netherlands. The Media Innovation Hub will be located at the Media Park in Hilversum and is expected to open this autumn.

The hub is part of a campus and business centre where parties will collaborate in the field of research and innovation. The hub will focus on the development of new applications and business models around media, entertainment, and immersive content. Think of the metaverse and 5G-driven technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, where the possibilities of 5G technology will be further explored. Through the collaboration between parties and educational institutions, the hub will become a breeding ground for talent.

Frank Visser (on behalf of Hilversum Campus Development Committee); John Leek (Vision & Sound); Eppo van Nispen tot Sevenaer (Vision & Sound); Rene Visser (VodafoneZiggo); Jan Wester (on behalf of CLICKNL); Robin Kroes (VodafoneZiggo)

Minister receives recommendations

In the run-up to the signing of the letter of intent, on 13 June, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Micky Adriaansens, received a report from the Economic Board Utrecht (EBU) on behalf of the cabinet. It contains recommendations for investments needed to develop the Media Innovation Hub with national impact. The hub contributes to the ambition of the Utrecht Metropolitan Area to strengthen the economic climate. The hub will help attract talent, innovate, and accelerate the introduction of advanced media technologies and applications at an international level.

New content experiences

Robin Kroes, Strategy Director, Insights and Integration at VodafoneZiggo: ‘VodafoneZiggo recognises that the Media Innovation Hub will play an important role in introducing compelling applications in the field of media and entertainment. They will drastically change the way people consume content and entertainment. We will develop and test applications like the metaverse here.’

The Media Innovation Hub will play an important role in introducing compelling applications in the field of media & entertainment.

Ton van Mil, director of Media Perspectives and member of the Media Park Campus Development Committee, is excited about the arrival of the Media Innovation Hub. ‘Research and innovation are important components for the campus development at the Media Park. It is also good to see that so many parties are participating in this initiative.’

Eppo van Nispen tot Sevenaer, general manager of Sound & Vision, says ‘Hilversum, specifically the Media Park, has literally been at the centre of content creation when it comes to news and entertainment for decades. About 80% of what a Dutch person sees or hears originates there every day. It has ensured that we are among the world's best when it comes to making media, both from a technical and content perspective. If we as the Netherlands want to continue to be a frontrunner, such a hub is of the utmost importance.’

The hub fits the initiative for a national 'Immersive Content' programme.

Bart Ahsmann, director of TKI CLICKNL, calls the hub ‘an important building block for combining the innovative power of Media and Entertainment in the field of Immersive Content and making it applicable. The hub fits the initiative for a national Immersive Content programme’

Curious about the 'Immersive Content’ programme that’s in development? Discover the programme here.