Project Canvas statement

12th May 2009

Project Canvas is a new platform for free-to-air, internet-connected television proposed by the BBC, ITV and BT which is currently part of a BBC Trust consultation process.

The partners want to offer consumers free access to high-quality, on-demand television services, and other online content, through new, broadband-connected TV devices, in one place.

In response to Sky’s submission to the BBC Trust, the Canvas partners released the following statement:

"The enormous consumer benefits that internet-powered TV can bring should not be restricted to paying customers. An open, standards-based platform, which enables a far greater range of content providers to enter the market, will be good for content owners and good for consumers - who gain a subscription-free alternative.

"Freeview and freesat transformed digital TV and showed what standards-based platforms can do for audiences and the industry. Canvas has the potential to do the same for the next generation of TV, bringing content on demand from a huge range of providers into the living room, all for a one-off fee. Access to the Canvas platform would be open to any third party, including Sky."