Late-running Canvas will be restricted to set-top boxes

Project Canvas is now expected in the first half of 2011 and is not accesible via smartphone

Project Canvas will only be available as a set-top box proposition at launch

Project Canvas will be launched in the first half of 2011, not by the end of 2010 as originally thought. The service will not be coming to smartphones or PCs either, and will be accessible only via set-top boxes at launch.

Anthony Rose, Project Canvas's chief technology officer, who was appointed two months ago, said he did not intend to keep to targets set before his arrival.

"I'm not sure what timescale was talked about before I joined, but now we should be looking at the first half of 2011," he said.

The BBC was partially responsible for delaying the project as the BBC Trust took some time to consider whether or not it would be involved. It announced last week that it would allow BBC content to be made available on the platform so long as it adheres to the trust’s conditions.

The service will also only be accessible via set-top boxes and not via smartphone.

However, Canvas will have a web site and users will be able to access programming details from their PC or smartphone.

“At launch, we want to play content out onto the TV platform,” said Rose. However, he explained that eventually Project Canvas should be accessible on all screens including smartphones, PCs, tablets and notebooks.

He said that the issue surrounding Canvas’ rollout onto a proliferation of devices is not the result of the technology involved but the content rights, as digital rights management issues surrounding its content will prevent Canvas bringing content to web-based platforms.