BBC gives Canvas the green light

Move should spur uptake of internet TV

Services such as BBC iPlayer will be integrated into Project Canvas

The BBC has agreed to push forward with its involvement in Canvas – a project that could boost demand for internet TV.

Project Canvas is a partnership between the BBC, ITV, BT, Five, Channel 4 and TalkTalk to develop an Internet Protocol Television standard. The BBC’s governing body, The BBC Trust, has now finally given the green light to the venture after extensive consultation.

As part of the project, a range of set-top boxes will be configured to be able to access on-demand TV services such as iPlayer, Demand Five and ITV Player.

"The Trust has concluded that Project Canvas will deliver significant public value for licence fee payers - people with a broadband connection will be able to access a wide range of on-demand content including BBC iPlayer, free of charge, through their TV sets,” said Diane Coyle, trustee at The BBC Trust.

“We have however applied a number of conditions to the BBC's involvement in the venture in recognition of the potential impacts on the market if Canvas is successful."

The trust has outlined the conditions of its approval and will conduct a review one year after Canvas launches to consumers. It will review the BBC’s involvement in the project to ensure it is adhering to the trust’s conditions.

The trust has published a full list of conditions here.

The Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for digital TV in the UK, has welcomed the BBC Trust's decision to approve the venture. It is currently working with the Canvas partners and Virgin Media, Sky and DTG Members to develop the UK specification for connected TV devices and services.

This open standard will provide an industry-agreed baseline implementation that Canvas, Sky, Virgin and others can build on for trademark requirements to support their services.