Project Canvas confirmed today that it has received widespread interest from industry in response to its invitation to develop and bring Canvas devices to market in 2011.

More than forty organisations have expressed their support for the Project Canvas proposals to bring consumers standards based, internet-connected TV devices that will change the way they watch television.

These represent a broad range of consumer device manufacturers including set-top-boxes, internet-enabled TVs and recorders.

Project Canvas has been developing the core technical specifications to support the launch of the first consumer equipment, through close engagement with the Digital Television Group (DTG) and its members. The technical documents have also been published today on the Project Canvas web site in the ‘Industry and Technology’ section.

“The response from industry has been phenomenal, and we’re really excited by the strong desire to work with Project Canvas to bring internet-enabled set-top-boxes and TVs into people’s homes next year, said Richard Halton, Director, Project Canvas. “For us, this is a great endorsement of our open approach to working with industry partners.”

“Consumers need the assurance that they will get the best experience, whatever device they buy. This industry engagement programme will ensure that high standards of quality will be deep rooted throughout all of our supported products. We look forward to working with further manufacturers as we roll out more phases of this programme.”

Project Canvas is currently evaluating responses from the consumer device manufacturers that have expressed an interest. Those that are selected will be taken through to the next stage of the evaluation process by the end of the month.

The ambition is to continue to extend the Project Canvas partner programme by bringing on board more and more device partners over time to give consumers the widest possible range of Canvas devices next year.

Due to be incorporated this Summer, the Project Canvas joint venture, is backed by the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Five.