The Project Canvas team today have announced that Channel Five will be rejoining the joint venture, following Channel Five’s recent takeover by Northern & Shell the UK’s leading independent publishing company.

Channel Five are to be incorporated this Summer into the Project Canvas joint venture, which is already backed by the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, Talk Talk and Arqiva, and is currently stepping up its industry engagement to launch a consumer product in 2011.

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

Richard Desmond adds: “We’re delighted to renew Channel Five’s commitment to supporting Project Canvas following a review of our digital strategy.”

The Director of Project Canvas Richard Halton said: “Channel Five has already made a major contribution to Project Canvas and we’re delighted to have them back on board. This is great recognition of how important Canvas is to the future of television.”

Project Canvas aim is the creation of a standards based, open internet connected TV environment that will offer viewers seamless access to both linear and video-on demand, also web based content and HD services and not forgetting interactive services over the internet direct to a TV set.

Channel Five previously backed out of Project Canvas due to financial difficulties of the previous owner RTL, before finding a new buyer.

Related posts:

1. Project Canvas Chooses Kip Meek As Its Chairman
2. Project Canvas Blow As Channel Five Quits
3. Tabloid Newspaper Owner To Buy Channel Five And Return To Project Canvas?
4. Orange Looking To Join Project Canvas
5. Channel 4 Jump Aboard Project Canvas