Channel 5, under the auspices of new owner Richard Desmond, is back on board with the Project Canvas internet TV service.
The channel, which had been experiencing money problems before the £103.5m buyout in July, had previously backed out of the project stating that it wasn’t a priority. It now joins the BBC, ITV, BT, C4, Talk Talk and Arqiva in working to establish a common standard for online video-on -demand services.
Richard Desmond said that Project Canvas will “open up new and exciting possibilities for viewers. This is important to the future of Channel 5 and having an open internet-connected TV platform fits closely with our plans to bring brilliant new content and interactive services to viewers. We’re delighted to renew Channel 5’s commitment to supporting Project Canvas following a review of our digital strategy.”
Project Canvas director, Richard Halton, welcomed the channel’s return: “Channel 5 has already made a major contribution to Project Canvas and we’re delighted to have them back on board. This is great recognition of how important Canvas is to the future of television.”
Project Canvas, which was approved by the BBC Trust in June despite opposition from manufacturers, retailers and broadcasters, is expected to begin delivering on-demand content via Freeview and Freesat next year under the brand name YouView.