BBC gets go ahead for Internet TV

Project Canvas gets the nod

The BBC has been given the go-ahead for its involvement in Project Canvas, which is set to put the Internet on your telly

The project sees the BBC teaming up with, ITV, BT, Five, Channel 4 and TalkTalk to develop an Internet Protocol Television standard.

And, having spent some time stroking their beards and "consulting" with "experts" in private members clubs, the BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust, has given the project the nod.

According to the BBC, and, after all, it should know - the Trust's Diane Coyle said the partnership "will deliver significant public value for licence fee payers".

The service will enable the development of set-top boxes which will access on-demand TV services such as iPlayer and ITVplayer and play the content on the TV free of charge .

Project director Richard Halton said the move will bring "the benefits of next-generation TV to all consumers, including those who choose not to subscribe to pay-TV."

The BBC Trust said viewers must be able to watch BBC programmes without a subscription and technical specifications must be now published within 20 to allow broadcasters and set-top box manufacturers to adapt to the Canvas standard.

It also insisted that "other broadcasters and content providers" should  have access to the platform.