[cma-l] What price democracy on converged TV?

[Phil Shepherd]

Ofcom announced today that it will not open an investigation into ŒProject
Canvas¹.

Project Canvas is a partnership between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT,
TalkTalk and Arqiva which will offer digital terrestrial channels and
internet-delivered TV services via a set-top box connected to viewers¹ TV
sets. 
 
It also involves creating technical standards which can be used by
participating services to deliver content via a single set-top box using a
branded user interface which will be known as YouView.
 
Virgin Media and IP Vision submitted complaints to Ofcom that alleged
potential breaches of the Competition Act 1998. Ofcom also received
submissions from 11 other parties, including BSkyB.
 
But at the current stage of YouView¹s development, Ofcom believes it would
be premature to open an investigation because:

·         IPTV is still an emerging sector, and the impact of YouView on the
market will not be known with any confidence for some time;

·         It is likely that YouView will bring benefits to viewers and
consumers. Any potential harm to competition would need to be offset against
these benefits; and

·         Whether or not YouView and its partners will harm competition in
the ways alleged will depend upon how this emerging market develops and how
the YouView partners act, particularly in relation to issuing technical
standards and providing access to content.

The full press release can be found here:
http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2010/10/19/no-investigation-into-project-canvas/