Slashdot Mirror
BBC To Create Internet Protocol TV Standard
Robadob sends word that the BBC has been granted approval for Project Canvas, "a partnership between the BBC, ITV, BT, Five, Channel 4, and TalkTalk to develop a so-called Internet Protocol Television standard." The approval came with several interesting requirements: "Project Canvas must always remain free-to-air but users 'may be charged for additional pay services that third parties might choose to provide via the Canvas platform, for example video on demand services, as well as the broadband subscription fees.' Access to Project Canvas must not be 'bundled with other products or services' and 'listing on the electronic program guide will be awarded in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner." In addition, a preliminary draft of the tech specs for the project must be published within 20 working days, in order to allow broadcasters and manufacturers of set-top boxes to adopt the new standards. Significantly, "Other broadcasters and content providers must have access to the platform."
Anthony Jay suggested that the BBC should be limited to one national TV channel, and one national radio station. I agree.
There is no need for a taxpayer funded TV broadcaster to provide the nation with TV programmes of celebrity chefs, celebrity DIY, celebrity dancing, celebrity interview shows, or another US cops and robbers TV import. Which is what we currently get from the BBC.
If the BBC was limited to one national TV station, and one national radio station, it would focus their attention on quality. Providing that which commercial broadcasters could not.