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BBC Trust gives final approval to Project Canvas

By NIcole Kobie

Posted on 25 Jun 2010 at 13:29

Internet TV could soon be on its way to set-top boxes, after the BBC was approved to take part in Project Canvas.

Project Canvas looks to let the UK watch internet-based TV, such as the BBC iPlayer, via their set top boxes for free. It's a joint venture between the BBC and broadcasters Channel 4, Five, ITV, as well as Arqiva, BT, and Talk Talk.

After pondering the issue for a year, the BBC Trust confirmed the public broadcaster could take part.

"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, BBC Trustee and Chair of the Trust's Strategic Approvals Committee.

The approval is subject to a few conditions. The trust has called for the service to always be free to air, with access not bundled for sale with other services. The existing tech specifications must be released within the next 20 days, with final specs published eight months before the set-top boxes arrive. The trust also demanded the inclusion of accessibility features, such as captions.

Project Canvas director Richard Halton said: "We are delighted by today’s news."

"This brings the benefits of next-generation TV to all consumers, including those who choose not to subscribe to pay-TV," he added.

The Office of Fair Trading last month said the joint venture didn't raise any competition problems, after a previous BBC-backed web TV project, Kangaroo, was blocked by regulators.

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User comments

This is getting rediculous

Maybe I'm just getting old but we had the introduction of colour TV a few decades ago which required a new telly. Then nothing happened until channel 4 launched in the early eighties and a few people needed new aerials and stuff. The same thing happened over ten years later with channel 5 but - in the vast majority of cases - the same TV was fine.

In the last couple of years we've had the switch to widescreen broadcasting, The LCD TVs, then digital broadcasting, just recently digital HD, then 3D some time this year and now IPTV. Everyone one of which requires the purchase of either a new TV or a new set top box.

It's getting utterly farcical and it isn't as if there is anything worth watching in the first place.

Can everyone stop looking to invest X Billions in new tech and try producing a few quality, original programs for us to put on our 50" 3D plasma widescreen digital Hi-Def goggle boxes?

By Bassey1976 on 25 Jun 2010

Don't necessary need a new box...

The experimental iPlayer service already works on Humax HD Freesat boxes - which have an RJ-45 socket to connect to the 'net - if you have one of these, then hopefully, you shouldn't need a new box.

By AndrewInEssex on 25 Jun 2010

Don't have to...

Project Canvas would be optional, I agree with what your saying about 3DTV and HD, many people are only just getting to grips with freeview.

All project canvas will do, is add the ability to watch programs later. Not everyone will want/need this though. Just like some people have freeview plus boxes to record TV and others don't feel the need for it.

It's nice to see a new, free service without having to pay out for over-priced TV services and boxes such as Sky. particularly for those unlucky enough not to live in a cable area.

Probably best letting things die down a bit with the 3D TV and HD, personally, I can't see 3D taking off properly for another 5 years when it is actually possible to broadcast and create 3D content successfully.

By Dan_Insight_Tech on 25 Jun 2010

MrPV

The point is that you do not need to upgrade anything (expect to digital in the next few years). Nobody made you buy that new 42 inch HD ready flat screen.

My partners dad is still happy with his black and white TV. The only investment being in the last 25 years being a £20 freeview box.

I am personally waiting for wireless HD before trading in my Samsung CRT.

By mrbadger on 25 Jun 2010

MrPV

By mrbadger on 25 Jun 2010

It is your choice to upgrade!

Bassey1976, no-one is forcing you to upgrade. If you so wished you could still use a black-and-white TV with just an aerial socket, and plug a £20 digibox into it. You are not losing out because additional services are available - you can still get what you already have! Your "grumpy old man" rant also seems rather misplaced, as the subject of this news story is a service that will NOT require you to buy a new TV.

By halsteadk on 26 Jun 2010

At last

Common sense has prevailed and finally Canvas is going to become a reality. I feared it would get passed the BBC Trust.

A single service offering BBC, ITV etc. Is most welcome.

By Stiggy on 26 Jun 2010

Missing the point

Actually, I think you've missed the point. Of course nobody is forcing anyone to upgrade. That is not what I said. It is the frequency of updates and lack of clarity. HD tvs were launched and we were forced to go freeview. Three months after we were forced to go freeview, they announce freeview HD. I could have saved money by getting a freeview HD box but they just did things all arse about face - again. THEN they announce the freeview HD boxes didn't support 5.1 and won't for another 9 months or so.

Had any of this been planned (rather than throwing it up in the air and seeing which way it lands) there could have been a nice simple, clear upgrade path FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT. And for those who were being forced to upgrade, they would have at least been able to choose to upgrade to the latest kit rather than buying something that is out of date a couple of months later.

(PS I haven't actually bothered with any of it. We've had freesat for 6 years and have left it at that. But I do have elderly relatives who get sent all the confusing gumpf from DigitAL and rely on my to guide them through it).

By Bassey1976 on 29 Jun 2010

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