Broadcasters unveil internet TV platform

A group of leading UK broadcasters and broadband providers have finally unveiled YouView, their vision for free, internet-connected television service aimed squarely at British Sky Broadcasting and Virgin Media.

Mixing elements of Apple’s App Store, YouTube and BBC iPlayer on-demand video services, Sky Plus-style digital recorders and digital television service Freeview, YouView promises to “change the way you watch TV for ever” when it launches in mid-2011. Formerly known as Project Canvas, the venture has been created by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva to ensure the survival of Freeview in the digital age.

Richard Halton, a BBC veteran who has been managing the project for two years, has been made chief executive. The BBC conceived of YouView in 2008 and brought together the broad coalition, who will split costs equally.

“TV will become a very much more diverse, rich, interactive experience,” Mr Halton said. “It’s going to spawn a whole range of creative content.”

However, the venture faces regulatory challenges from Virgin Media, smaller technology firms and local news groups, who say YouView will stifle the market for internet-connected TVs.

The competitive challenge is steep: the world’s largest technology companies, including Google, Apple and Sony, are all targeting the living room. Sony announced this week that its new Bravia sets will incorporate the BBC iPlayer, a key attraction of YouView.

But YouView executives are keen to emphasise the “pro-competitive” aspects of the service, ensuring the survival of free-to-air television as BSkyB and Virgin increase their subscribers.

“YouView underpins the choice we have today in TV platforms in the UK,” Mr Halton said, adding that 10m homes currently use Freeview, rather than pay for satellite or cable.

“To have a fantastic subscription-free alternative . . . is as important in the future as it has been to have Freeview as a basic digital TV alternative in the past.”

YouView has the support of groups who have previously struggled to gain access to the television set, including creative organisations such as Arts Council England and online video sites, such as Lovefilm and Blinkbox.

“We are very supportive of YouView,” said Michael Comish, chief executive of Blinkbox, a video site. “This is the next generation of Freeview and it’s imperative for the broadcasters that it is hugely successful. They will get behind it and make sure that it is.”

Mr Halton said it would be “very easy for any organisation, no matter how big or small they are, to get their content on to the platform”.

Any content owner or software developer will be able to create an “app”, akin to those on the iPhone, within minimum technical and decency requirements.

YouView said dozens of set-top box manufacturers have said they are keen to build the hardware for its service. The boxes will be sold either standalone or subsidised by broadband companies.

Viewers will be able to find content through an enhanced “Red Button”-like service, a search engine and a programming guide, based on that of Freeview, incorporating both broadcast and on-demand content .

PC-like internet capabilities will be accessed through a remote control, not a keyboard and mouse, although YouView will not have a full web browser at launch.