Now Five backs Project Canvas

Project Canvas has announced a new partner as Five has thrown its hat into the ring of companies participating in the joint venture to produce technical standards for all broadband enabled television set boxes.

Other partners in the IPTV project include BBC, ITV, and BT. Overall, the BBC expects Project Canvas will require about a £24 million from each involved group which suggests that each will contribute about £6 million, unless of course more companies jump into the ring.

Dawn Airey, Five chairman and chief executive, issued a statement that said the company decided to join Project Canvas because it is aimed at extending more options to viewers while enhancing their television experience. Airey also noted that as Britain is becoming more digitalized it is important for industry stakeholders to create partnerships if they want to continue to make progress in the new digital environment.

BBC Trust recently published its newest set of guidelines for Project Canvas which directed that firmer plans need to be developed towards enabling other internet service providers, PSBs, and content providers to use the service as well.

The BBC Trust also added that Canvas will need a dedicated EPG so that all monetization options from micropayments, subscriptions, and targeted advertising can be utilized on the set box.

Channel 4 is also considering joining the project but has a few concerns about the overall success of the project, but Sky also had concerns and decided to join so the floor is still open for them to sway over.