Canvas partners rebuff Sky concerns

The BBC, BT and ITV have collectively rebuffed Sky's concerns over Project Canvas, the proposed development of a set of standards to deliver content over the internet to broadband-capable set top boxes.

In a detailed submission to the BBC Trust's consultation on Canvas, Sky said that the proposals could result in the BBC using public funds to act as "a market maker" and "significantly distort competition leading to an overall worse outcome for consumers" by creating a platform with standards for editorial content, user interface and electronic programme guides. Sky also said that the proposals were insufficiently detailed for it to make a determination as to whether it would wish to participate in the Canvas platform.

"The enormous consumer benefits that internet-powered TV can bring should not be restricted to paying customers," the Canvas partners said in a statement. "An open, standards-based platform, that 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."