ITV Update on Canvas

On 4 June 2009

The BBC Trust’s announced their assessment of ‘canvas’ proposals so from an ITV’s perspective we wanted to update you on where we are with the venture and the next steps.

Canvas aims to sustain the long-term future of subscription-free TV for the UK, it will be an open platform for any content provider and will open up new revenue streams for a range of industries including advertisers.

In its preliminary conclusions the BBC Trust said it had found widespread support for the delivery of IPTV in the home, but that it required more information from the BBC Executive in order to update stakeholders. Consequently the partners are now focused on promptly submitting more detail to address the outstanding question areas which include:

The choice of technical standards for Canvas

• The way in which the BBC will work with industry bodies
• Control of the electronic programme guide
• Governance arrangements for the joint venture
• The use of editorial controls

Overall this is a good direction of travel. We are still working towards a launch date in 2010 and we are also keen to start conversations about which advertising solutions and opportunities there might be so if you have any questions or thoughts please get in touch with Simon Orpin, ITV’s Creative Solutions Director.