Advanced Television

Project Canvas could be delayed until 2011

November 26, 2009

Project Canvas – a joint technology venture between the BBC, ITV, BT and Five that could bring on-demand programming to Freeview and Freesat – is unlikely to be rolled out until 2011 because it is mired in a complicated approval process.

Erik Huggers, head of future media and technology at the BBC, warned that delays in the consultation process could mean that the service isn’t launched for at least another year. The BBC Trust is currently considering the proposals for the joint video-on-demand service, which will enable viewers to watch shows from a variety of programme-makers and channels through an internet-enabled set-top box.

“My hope is that before the end of this year we will get interim conclusions from the BBC Trust. If we get those and they are pointing in the right direction – if they are positive – then I am fairly confident that it is possible to launch in 2010, although it will be towards the end of 2010. If we do not get those, I'm afraid we will not be able to launch until 2011,” Commented Huggers.

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