Google’s submission to the BBC Trust’s Project Canvas consultation suggests either it or YouTube want carriage on the proposed open IPTV platform. Google’s European policy associate Luc Delany wrote: “Google (NSDQ: GOOG) recommends that Canvas allow users to access any service, or more broadly the web as a whole, and in particular should not limit access to a few pre-determined re-purposed broadcast content platforms.”
The BBC’s proposal in February made no mention of YouTube, but did say Canvas “would also allow access to other internet services (these may include audiovisual content)”. YouTube on free-to-air UK TV would pretty much be the holy grail. Responding to BBC views on delivering Canvas over low-speed broadband, Google also warned: “Canvas should not violate the principles of Net Neutrality”, while “the Canvas EPG should offer a level playing field for all publishers of Canvas-compliant services”.
The response is amongst dozens the BBC Trust published on Thursday in a 392-page document, after asking the BBC executive for more detail on the proposal. It’s a hefty read but gives revealing insights in to many major players’ views of the Canvas proposal, so I’ve sifted the document and summarised below…
— All3Media: Mostly supportive, but calls for more PPV VOD: “Project Canvas should offer payment methods … whereby a viewer can buy content with a simple click of the remote control”. Wants retailers to take customers’ personal details when they buy a box.
— Arqiva: The radio masts company says it’s “entirely consistent” with the BBC’s role of driving technology adoption, but warns it “raises the prospect of a