The BBC Trust, governing body for the BBC, has revealed that they are to allow a partnership between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, TalkTalk and BT to go ahead. The move will see the companies develop an Internet Protocol Standard which would bring TV on-demand services to set-top boxes.
Expected to be released next year for an approximate £200, the set-top boxes involved would provide viewers with a comprehensive guide to on-demand services such as ITVplayer and the BBC’s iPlayer. After considering the scheme, named project Canvas, for some time, the Trust said “After careful consideration, the Trust has provisionally concluded that Canvas is likely to benefit licence fee payers.” Chair of the Strategic Approvals Committee for the trust Diane Coyle added “We believe Canvas could be an important part of the way in which the BBC delivers its services in the future.”
With the BBC Trust having debated the issue since March, the green light will now allow for viewers to access services such as YouTube, Flickr and Facebook through their TVs in addition to the on-demand services. However, strong opposition has been encountered from both BSkyB and Virgin Media, the former of whom said “The key concern with Canvas is the leading role that the BBC wants to take in the project.” Graham McWilliam, director of Corporate Affairs for Sky added “This is nothing short of BBC mission creep.”
