Project Canvas, the on demand TV standard backed by the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Five, BT and Talk Talk amongst others, won’t be challenged by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The common approach to on demand telly will mean services like 4OD, ITV Player and BBC iPlayer as well as web apps will be piped right into your living room…
Last year, the OFT blocked Project Kangaroo, an on demand TV plan developed by ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC. That’s now been reborn as the commercial TV catch up site Seesaw. Project Canvas has escaped the chop because the OFT considered it a platform for standardising on demand content rather than a joint service.
Though all Freesat and many Freeview and Freeview HD boxes already include an internet connection, Project Canvas will take things a step further.
Project Canvas compliant devices will integrate on demand content in a common user interface and also offer web apps. On the Project Canvas site, a Lovefilm streaming service is also shown as one of the potential applications.
Graham North, commercial director at Humax, says: “Providing a common standard is a positive step that will guarantee the viewer a quality service…it will also guarantee a viewing experience that is consistent regardless of the hardware or device being used to access the content.”
Humax has confirmed that it plans to built Project Canvas compliant set-top boxes once the scheme gets under way. Like Sky+ HD and other current PVRs, Project Canvas devices will also give you the option to watch shows live and record episodes and series.
While competitors including Sky and Virgin Media have slammed Project Canvas, it should now be full steam ahead for the on demand TV standard.
Let us know: what do you make of Project Canvas? Is a universal internet on demand TV service just what you’ve been waiting for? Or are you pained at the prospect of having to pay for a brand new box?
Due TBC | £TBC | Project Canvas
