BBC announces on-demand tv set top boxes

March 5, 2009

The BBC is looking at a project to produce on demand tv set top boxes that would enable users to view online on-demand tv services such as iPlayer on their tv’s.

The on demand set top box would be aimed at UK homes that have not yet signed up for subscription services and don’t use a PVR (personal video recorder).

Connecting online, the boxes would enable online content to be viewed directly on their tv’s.

The BBC is hoping to bring together many broadcasters as well as ISP’s to make content accessible via the TV set top box project, known as Project Canvas.

Following the competition commissions decision in February that the joint BBC/ITV/Channel 4 venture of Kangaroo was anti competitive, the challenges are going to be bringing this number of interested parties together and satisfying the commission.

ITV’s announcement of 15% redundancies yesterday and the current economic climate may help persuade companies that they need to work together.

After a period of fact finding and consultation, the BBC is planning to deliver its findings by 24th July and, subject to approval, launch the service in 2010.

It’s good to see that the BBC hasn’t let the Kangaroo – hopefully, this will be a no subscription on demand TV service to provide users with a free alternative to Sky and Virgin services.

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