Why the partners believe Project Canvas is important, and what it hopes to acheive.
Internet-connected TV is the future of home entertainment
Unstoppable natural momentum
- First computers, then mobile, next TV. Media is changing as devices converge around internet connectivity.
- Electronics manufacturers are making powerful internet-connected TV devices.
- Broadband is getting more widespread and faster.
- Consumers are getting more familiar with video-on-demand, and want it on the TV.
- Internet-connectivity brings far more than video on demand: any internet-based service or business can find a route to the TV.
- Public service broadcasting needs a stake in this future.
- The enormous consumer benefits of internet-connected TV should not be restricted to paying customers.
Connected-TV can deliver value beyond ‘better TV’
Can play a major part in building Digital Britain
- Makes web content and services more simple and accessible.
- Half the UK’s offline population of 14m would consider going online for connected TV.
- An opportunity to create world-class accessibility services.
- Incentivises more people to go online, supports digital switchover
- Completing convergence circle (PC, mobile, TV) will accelerate the growth of the internet as a platform.
- Provides important public web services (eg. NHS Direct) with a route into more homes.
- Advertisers can introduce tailored advertising; the right advert, in front of the right person, at the right time.
- A first for a free TV home, made possible by the broadband connection, this would generate value for advertisers, consumers and commercial broadcasters.
- Value created throughout chain: innovation, new revenues from new models.
A branded open platform is important for internet-connected TV
Consumer simplicity, plus an open market, creates scale – which reduces costs and increases choice
- Strong brand with broad appeal breeds consumer familiarity
- Simple, common, user interface makes complex technology accessible
- Certainty of ‘plug and play’ important to less technical consumers
- Common standards create a level playing field for content providers and economies of scale for manufacturers
- Open approach means the platform is accessible via any ISP
- Scale encourages companies and services to create applications for platform
- Reduces risk of multiple formats (no repeat of laser disc, betamax, minidisc)
- No emergence of de facto standards that allow private companies to dominate and distort the market
