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Youview to launch in 2011
Objections to the proposed subscription-free broadband TV service YouView have been turned down by Ofcom.
The media regulator said it will not open an invetigation into YouView, formerly known as Project Canvas.
Virgin, Sky and 11 other groups had complained about the service, which is backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva.
They alleged that it would stifle competition for similar services delivering TV via broadband, has closed technical standards and the user interface would be too restrictive.
Ofcom’s chief executive, Ed Richards, said: 'Ofcom’s view is that consumers’ interests will not be served by opening an investigation. It would be premature at the current stage of YouView’s development given the absence of a clear risk of consumer harm.
'But if evidence does emerge in the future that YouView causes harm to the interests of viewers and consumers we may reconsider whether to investigate.'
Freeview plus catch-up
YouView, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2011, will offer the Freeview channels plus internet-delivered TV services via a broadband-connected set-top box or TV, with no compulsory subscription.
Services are expected to include catch-up TV from the four broadcasters, and both free and pay-per-view video on-demand from Arqiva's SeeSaw, Blinkbox and Lovefilm.
It also involves technical standards for delivering the content and a branded Youview user interface.
YouView CEO Richard Halton said: 'We have been clear throughout this process that YouView will stimulate competition in the TV platform market and create opportunities for content providers and device manufacturers.
'Most importantly, it represents a great consumer proposition. We therefore welcome this decision from Ofcom.
'In a market dominated by pay services, we are creating the only mass market IPTV service that will be subscription free. All our efforts are now focused on launching a brilliant consumer product for launch next year.
'We look forward to broadening our engagement with wider industry partners over the coming weeks and months.'
Ofcom said the broadband-delivered TV market was still too small and new to measure the impact YouView will have, and it is likeley that the service will bring benefits to viewers and consumers.
It added that any damage caused by YouView will depend on whether the partners restrict access to their content on other platforms and contiue to issue their technical standards to industry.
The media regulator said it will not open an invetigation into YouView, formerly known as Project Canvas.
Virgin, Sky and 11 other groups had complained about the service, which is backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva.
They alleged that it would stifle competition for similar services delivering TV via broadband, has closed technical standards and the user interface would be too restrictive.
Ofcom’s chief executive, Ed Richards, said: 'Ofcom’s view is that consumers’ interests will not be served by opening an investigation. It would be premature at the current stage of YouView’s development given the absence of a clear risk of consumer harm.
'But if evidence does emerge in the future that YouView causes harm to the interests of viewers and consumers we may reconsider whether to investigate.'
Freeview plus catch-up
YouView, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2011, will offer the Freeview channels plus internet-delivered TV services via a broadband-connected set-top box or TV, with no compulsory subscription.
Services are expected to include catch-up TV from the four broadcasters, and both free and pay-per-view video on-demand from Arqiva's SeeSaw, Blinkbox and Lovefilm.
It also involves technical standards for delivering the content and a branded Youview user interface.
YouView CEO Richard Halton said: 'We have been clear throughout this process that YouView will stimulate competition in the TV platform market and create opportunities for content providers and device manufacturers.
'Most importantly, it represents a great consumer proposition. We therefore welcome this decision from Ofcom.
'In a market dominated by pay services, we are creating the only mass market IPTV service that will be subscription free. All our efforts are now focused on launching a brilliant consumer product for launch next year.
'We look forward to broadening our engagement with wider industry partners over the coming weeks and months.'
Ofcom said the broadband-delivered TV market was still too small and new to measure the impact YouView will have, and it is likeley that the service will bring benefits to viewers and consumers.
It added that any damage caused by YouView will depend on whether the partners restrict access to their content on other platforms and contiue to issue their technical standards to industry.