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Internet tv platform, Canvas, passed by BBC Trust for 2011 launch
25 Jun 2010 | 10.23 Europe/London
Project Canvas has finally been given the go-ahead by the BBC Trust, although the first set top boxes are unlikely to now appear within 10 months or a year.
Today’s decision follows an investigation by the OFT which concluded last month that it had no grounds on which to judge the television platform.
In its approval decision, the Trust added a couple of conditions. The most predicable were that the six partners sharing the technical specifications for the platform, within 20 days, and insisting all partners, old and new, being considered equal, so none get prime menu listings.
What may have not been foreseen was that once the final version of these specifications are released there must be an eight month delay before the first boxes are released – a move designed, it would appear, to prevent early partners having a lead over new entrants. This would mean the boxes are unlikely to hit the shelves until next Spring at the very earliest.
The BBC and five other partners, ITV, Channel4, Five, Arqiva and BT, are behind what is being described as the next step for Freeview boxes. The new platform will add free to air services as well as, potentially, subscription channels and video on demand services. The box will be connected to the internet, bringing web tv to the living room.
Sky, the platform’s most vociferous opponent, had remained quiet after the OFT decided not to rule on the platform last month, warning it would ‘have an opinion’ once the BBC Trust had made its decision.
The broadcaster has still not issued a statement but has hinted one may be made within short space of time.
Today’s decision follows an investigation by the OFT which concluded last month that it had no grounds on which to judge the television platform.
In its approval decision, the Trust added a couple of conditions. The most predicable were that the six partners sharing the technical specifications for the platform, within 20 days, and insisting all partners, old and new, being considered equal, so none get prime menu listings.
What may have not been foreseen was that once the final version of these specifications are released there must be an eight month delay before the first boxes are released – a move designed, it would appear, to prevent early partners having a lead over new entrants. This would mean the boxes are unlikely to hit the shelves until next Spring at the very earliest.
The BBC and five other partners, ITV, Channel4, Five, Arqiva and BT, are behind what is being described as the next step for Freeview boxes. The new platform will add free to air services as well as, potentially, subscription channels and video on demand services. The box will be connected to the internet, bringing web tv to the living room.
Sky, the platform’s most vociferous opponent, had remained quiet after the OFT decided not to rule on the platform last month, warning it would ‘have an opinion’ once the BBC Trust had made its decision.
The broadcaster has still not issued a statement but has hinted one may be made within short space of time.