Q&A: Project Canvas - the new Freeview?

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 15 Sep 2009 at 13:32

Project Kangaroo promised to bring together the video-on-demand efforts of all the major terrestrial broadcasters under one umbrella. Unsurprisingly, the idea quickly drew the ire of the Competition Commission, which rejected the plan claiming it would significantly reduce competition in the market.

However, Project Canvas has now taken up the mantle and aims to deliver the same basic service as Project Kangaroo, but in a radically different form. The project's director Richard Halton explains the promise of Canvas.

Q Can you explain how Canvas differs from Kangaroo?

A Essentially, we're following the example of Freeview. We're creating a platform built on open standards, and manufacturers will be free to take our specification and use it to create their own set-top boxes that plug directly into the internet.

We won't own any hardware or aggregate content, which was what Kangaroo was doing. Canvas isn't there to generate profit, it's a platform that third-party content providers, or web services, can plug their content into.

Q The appeal of Kangaroo was that it had the support of the major broadcasters. Is that the case with Canvas?

A We're working with the BBC, BT, ITV and Five, and they're all very interested in growing a common standard. For them, they can see the benefits of offering a consistent user experience.

Q You didn't mention Channel 4, is it involved?

A It's actually very closely engaged with the project and we hope to say a bit more soon.

Q Okay, you mentioned web services can also use Canvas, how does that work in practice?

Because this is an open platform, services like Lovefilm and Amazon can come and plug into Canvas. They can create a store front for Canvas suited to the television, but using the same back-end technology that powers their web services. If YouTube starts offering full-length video, it knows it can give that service maximum exposure.

Q Unless, its customers live in the countryside, or have a terrible broadband connection...

A That's going to be a challenge. We need to be able to say, if you have the following type of broadband connection this will just work, otherwise customers will get frustrated and take it back, maybe giving up on the concept altogether. I think that's getting to be less and less of a problem, though.

Q Obviously Kangaroo was sunk by the regulators, is this a danger with Canvas?

A We think Canvas actually boosts competition. It democratises the living room, and allows a wide ranger of services onto the television than just traditional broadcasters.

Q And when are we likely to see Canvas boxes hitting the shelves?

A That depends on the regulators, but it's our plan to get a SDK out to content providers by next summer in time for a Christmas 2010 launch.