Consultation delayed as BBC asked to provide further details on Project Canvas

LONDON - The BBC Trust has asked the BBC to provide more detailed information on its plans for Project Canvas, which aims to provide on-demand services to Freeview and Freesat, before giving its formal approval to the venture.

Consultation delayed as BBC asked to provide further details on Project Canvas

Announcing its preliminary assessment today (4 June), ahead of a final assessment expected next month, the Trust said that "in order to give stakeholders a more complete source of information on the proposal" it wants the BBC to provide further information.

It said that once provided, this information will be published and the Trust will subsequently complete its consultation on Canvas, which is currently backed by ITV, the BBC and BT.

The Trust is now requesting the BBC provides information on areas including, but not limited to; the choice of technical standards; the way in which the BBC will work with industry bodies; control of the electronic programme guide on Canvas; governance arrangements for the joint venture and the use of editorial controls.

The Trust will now delay its final consultation until after the BBC has returned with the new information and it has been shared with stakeholders. The Trust said it will publish a revised timetable as soon as possible.

Project Canvas will combine Freeview and Freesat with broadband capability in a planned next-generation set-top box. It will combine TV, radio and high-definition services with on-demand catch-up and archive programming provided by the BBC's iPlayer and ITV Player, as well as web content.

The Trust said that industry responses to its investigation revealed "widespread support" for Project Canvas' plan to deliver IPTV into homes via broadband.

Diane Coyle, a BBC Trustee, said: "A common theme that emerged was that more information was needed from the BBC executive about the Canvas proposal.

"So, in the interests of making a robust and independent decision, we have asked the executive to look at the issues that stakeholders have raised and report back to us.

"The Trust's processes are designed to give us enough flexibility to reach a final conclusion, while maintaining a rigorous assessment of the proposals."

Last month, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising raised concerns about the potential commercial direction of Project Canvas. The agency industry body highlighted the leading role set to be played by a non-commercial entity, the BBC.

While there is no suggestion Project Canvas is going to have limited commercial opportunities, in a response to the BBC Trust's consultation into the project, the IPA said it is "mindful of the Corporation's historical tendency to foreclose new media opportunities in the commercial sector".

A statement at the time from Project Canvas said: "As a commercial broadcaster, ITV believes that, if approved, the Canvas venture will bring huge benefits.

"For viewers, this will mean a plethora of catch-up and on-demand content, all subscription-free, and for advertisers, a wide range of opportunities to reach new audiences."

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