Project Canvas Given The Go Ahead By The OFT
All systems go for project canvas
Project Canvas the internet tv project of the BBC, has taken another step toward release after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said it would not investigate cpomplaints about the service from Sky and Virgin rival broadcasters. The project which has courted controversy since its inception is a joint IPTV venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva.
As recently as last month there were doubts that the project would see the light of day, including 3View MD saying Project Canvas would be scrapped. However, the OFT decided on the basis that the JV proposal is not a merger of these companies and that it did not have jurisdiction to review it under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002.
Release of the internet connected TV service just requires final approval by BBC Trust, and could go live this year. When it does finally get released, Project Canvas customers can buy a set-top box for around £100 and £200 ($160-$300) to watch a range of video streaming including BBC iPlayer on their TV sets using their broadband internet connection.
The ISPs Sky and Virgin Media have opposed the JV on the ground that the JV partners could transfer an existing business into the Project, just similar to the Project Kangaroo which was blocked by the Competition Commission last year.
The Project Canvas partners welcomed the OFT decision, Richard Halton, the director of Project Canvas said the partners are ‘committed to create an open platform that delivers a connected future for free-to-air TV and a competitive market for internet-connected TV services in the UK.’ he added.
Good to see that the bully boy tactics from Sky and Virgin attempting to keep the market to themselves has failed, and the future of internet tv can progress.
Related News:
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- Project Canvas TV on Demand Project Could Be Delayed Until 2011
- Director Of Project Canvas Predicts Internet TV Will Grow 70%
- Project Canvas Will Probably Be Scrapped Says 3view MD
- Project Canvas Online TV Could Be Approved This Week
[...] venture thats led by the BBC and also includes Arqiva, ITV, Channel 4, Five, Talk Talk and BT. Project Canvas is aiming at establishing an open standard for IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). The service has been [...]
[...] Channel Five has been put up for sale by RTL it’s parent company, RTL is one of the seven partners in the Project Canvas venture, which is expected to launch next year after getting the go ahead from the Ofcom. [...]
[...] project was given the go ahead by the BBC Trust in June 2010 as an effort between broadcasters BBC, Channel 4 and ITV and [...]