PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

PROJECT CANVAS UPDATE.

BBC Trust publishes additional information on Project Canvas

24 July 2009

The BBC Trust is currently assessing Project Canvas, the BBC Executive's proposals to form a joint venture partnership to deliver internet protocol television (IPTV). Following the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust asked the BBC Executive to provide more information on the proposals in order to help stakeholders. The Trust is today publishing the Executive’s response and the Trust's timetable for the remainder of the process.

Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee said:

"We are pleased that the BBC Executive has responded positively to our request for more information. We are now giving stakeholders the chance to let us have their comments so that we can give them careful consideration. Over the coming months we will continue to engage with stakeholders to help us make a fully informed judgement."

Additional information

In the Trust's first period of public consultation, the Trust met over 60 stakeholders and received over 800 submissions to the consultation. It found widespread support for the delivery of IPTV to the home and a large number of stakeholders also recognised the BBC could potentially help both coordinate and accelerate this process. In order to help stakeholders the Trust is today publishing additional information from the BBC Executive on the following areas:

• The choice of technical standards to be adopted by Canvas;
• The proposed way in which the BBC would work with industry bodies;
• Control of the Electronic Programme Guide;
• Governance arrangements for the joint venture;
• The use of editorial controls.

report from the BBC Trust.