BBC Trust launches public consultation on proposal for internet protocol television (Project Canvas).

BBC Trust launches public consultation on proposal for internet protocol television (Project Canvas).

26 February 2009

The BBC Trust today launched a public consultation on the BBC Executive’s proposal to develop a joint venture partnership to help enable the delivery of internet protocol television (IPTV). The proposal, also known as Project Canvas, would allow viewers to watch on-demand services, such as the BBC iPlayer and other internet content, via television sets.

This proposal forms part of the partnership plans that have been developed by the BBC Executive, in response to a challenge from the Trust, to help bring the benefits of the BBC's public investment to the whole public service broadcasting sector.

The BBC Executive has applied to the Trust for permission to form a joint venture partnership, that would set and promote a common standard for delivering on-demand TV and other internet content through a broadband connected device such as a set top box. The BBC would not be involved in the manufacture or distribution of equipment.

The Trust will decide whether or not to approve the proposals, following a rigorous scrutiny process, which will include two periods of public consultation and will report in the summer.

Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee, said:

"The Trust has challenged the BBC Executive to come up with proposals to help bring the benefits of the BBC’s public investment to the whole PSB sector. This is the first of these proposals to come forward to the Trust and we will be scrutinising it to ensure the best possible outcome for licence fee payers. We are now inviting all interested parties and members of the public to tell us what they think of the proposal"

Internet and on-demand services

Devices meeting the standards would have an internet connection. In order to access the internet and on-demand services (such as the BBC iPlayer), viewers would need to have a broadband connection from their internet service provider. These devices could enable on-demand services from the BBC and other public service broadcasters, as well as some internet content, which may include video clips or information from public service bodies such as DirectGov and the NHS.

Timetable:

Date	Event
26 February 2009	Start of first consultation
17 April 2009	Close of first consultation
On or before 8 June 2009	Trust publishes emerging conclusions and second consultation period begins
22 June 2009	Second consultation period closes
On or before 24 July 2009	Trust publishes final decision

Full story at;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2009/project_canvas.html

BBC TRUST REFUSES LOCAL VIDEO SERVICE.

BBC TRUST REFUSES LOCAL VIDEO SERVICE.

BBC Local Video

The BBC Trust has refused permission for the broadcaster to a launch a local video service.

It said local video would not improve services for the public enough to justify either the investment of licence fee funds or the negative impact on commercial media.

The BBC had proposed launching an enhanced version of the ‘BBC Local’ websites to be available on any internet-enabled device.

Public Value Test

The BBC Trust carried out a Public Value Test (PVT) into the plans which looked at both the value to the public of the proposed service and its impact on the wider market.

As part of that process Ofcom undertook a Market Impact Assessment (MIA).

We concluded that the planned service would have a ‘significant negative impact’ on commercial providers who had plans in this area.

Newspapers

It revealed that if the BBC Local Video services were launched then annual revenues from existing commercial providers would fall by up to 4%.

More significantly, the launch of BBC Local Video services would have significant negative impact on future innovation in online local news, sports, and weather services by the commercial sector, particularly newspapers.

This is an Ofcom report.

TECHNISAT TO MANUFACTURE FREESAT PRODUCTS IN 2009.

TECHNISAT TO MANUFACTURE FREESAT PRODUCTS IN 2009.

Freesat today announced a partnership with German consumer electronics company TechniSat to produce HD digital boxes in 2009.

German based TechniSat Digital Group, which has recently opened a dedicated UK office, is a leading consumer electronics organisation with a strong history of producing high quality set top Boxes, PVRs, and IDTVs.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s MD comments “The new HD digital boxes by TechniSat will provide a quality option for consumers to enjoy the choice and range of channels that are available on Freesat.”

Martin Cole, TechniSat Digital UK’s MD adds “We are extremely pleased to be working with Freesat. This provides us the ideal opportunity to introduce the high-quality TechniSat brand and Freesat HD receiver into the UK market.”

Freesat is also in talks with a range of other manufacturers regarding producing Freesat products and will continue to announce further partners in 2009.

For more information on Freesat, please visit www.freesat.co.uk


For more information on TechniSat, please visit www.technisat.co.uk or www.technisat.com
************

This is an official freesat press release.

KANGAROO VIDEO ON DEMAND STOPPED.

KANGAROO VIDEO ON DEMAND STOPPED.

The Kangaroo project has been well and truly floored by The Competition Commission as it has been suggested that the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 would be better if they were in competition rather than friends. Either way the viewer will lose out putting this clever technology on the back burner, but as we all know the Competition Commission are working in our best interests so hopefully the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 will be able to come up with an acceptable solution.
My personal problem with the whole idea of the Kangaroo project was the idea of the BBC selling back to me archived material of which I have already paid for with my licence fee - meaning! as a member of the great British public paying again for something which I have already paid for. If the archive shows were being sold to overseas countries I would agree. Otherwise project Kangaroo is a perfect way for viewers to select and choose when they want to view their own choice.
The story below comes from the BBC news;

Broadcasters' Kangaroo tied down.

A plan by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to launch an on-demand video service has been blocked because it posed "too much of a threat to competition".

The Competition Commission said Project Kangaroo "has to be stopped" and that viewers would benefit if the three were "close competitors" rather than allies.

Kangaroo proposed to sell current shows from C4 and ITV and archived BBC shows.

The broadcasters said in a joint statement "the real losers from this decision are British consumers".

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