Five back on board with Project Canvas

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 24 Aug 2010 at 12:01

The on-off relationship between Channel Five and internet TV platform Project Canvas is back on, follow the broadcaster's takeover by Northern and Shell.

Project Canvas – a joint venture that also includes the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, Talk Talk and Arqiva – is set to launch next year, delivering a range of on-demand video services over the internet.

Channel Five left the project back in July, citing a review of its digital strategy, but according to new owners Northern and Shell it now sees Canvas as vital to its future.

“Project Canvas is set to shape the future of broadcasting and open up new and exciting possibilities for viewers,” said chairman Richard Desmond. “This is important to the future of Channel Five and having an open internet-connected TV platform fits closely with our plans to bring interactive services to viewers.”

Although Canvas has been given the all clear by the BBC Trust it faces an Ofcom competition investigation after complaints were lodged by Virgin Media and IP Vision.

Virgin hopes to pull the rug from beneath Canvas with a complaint that the platform is anti-competitive and will stifle rival innovation.