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Project Canvas appoints Kip Meek as chairman
Friday 23 July 2010 16:54:08 by John Hunt

Project Canvas have appointed Kip Meek as the chairman of the board to lead the venture forward. He will also oversee the appointment of a new CEO. Meek was previously rumoured to be taking the role and his appointment therefore doesn't come as a surprise. He will step down from his current positions including non-executive positions at the Broadband Stakeholder Group and with Phorm. Meek is familiar to the industry, previously being an Ofcom official and linked with helping to negotiate mobile spectrum negotiations.

"Internet technology creates unlimited choice and can also give people real control over what they watch, and when they watch it.

Project Canvas will integrate the broadcast and on-demand worlds to make this possible via the TV. It will also allow third-party business models to thrive through an open platform, bringing the benefits of next-generation TV to anyone who wants it.

With the backing of these six substantial partners, we have the opportunity to transform television. I look forward to working with the board and the executive team to make this happen."

Kip Meek, (Chairman) Project Canvas

The Register who previously had concerns over Meek joining Canvas whilst still holding a position at Phorm has pointed out some other lackings at Canvas. When the BBC Trust announced approval of Canvas last month, they stated that within 20 working days they expected the core Canvas specs to be published, but this hasn't yet been done due to it not being complete. Some manufacturers are however believed to be building Canvas boxes already so this isn't hampering development of the platform.

[ Topic: Content | 55 comments | link to this item ]

Comments

Posted by tommy45 about 1 month ago
Well my take on this is simply a waist of time, as at the moment you only need a digital tv +Ariel to receive tv, with this stupid idea peeps would need a working phone line +be subscribing for a broadband package, and be able to get a reasonable adsl speed,all your budget isp's are already over subscribed, and where do they expect the less well off to find the extra money to pay for services they currently don't need to watch tv ?
Posted by tommy45 about 1 month ago
Well my take on this is simply a waist of time, as at the moment you only need a digital tv +Ariel to receive tv, with this stupid idea peeps would need a working phone line +be subscribing for a broadband package, and be able to get a reasonable adsl speed,all your budget isp's are already over subscribed, and where do they expect the less well off to find the extra money to pay for services they currently don't need to watch tv ?
Posted by tommy45 about 1 month ago
I say scrap the BBC trust
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"The Register who previously had concerns over Meek joining Canvas whilst still holding a position at Phorm...."

Canvas is a joke, looks like it could also be spun into a serve you ads 24/7 all seeing, spying box also lol It really just needs to die now.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
If Canvas starts to bring more competition to Sky then bring it on! BT has already shown how much Sky customers may be able to save, a omre capable IPTV platform will tranform the economics for multi-channel TV.

Re the comments about pricing of broadband vs. Freeview, think how much your typical Sky subscriber will be able to save if they switch over - at the very least it should stop Sky forcing the basic package onto people that only want the sport or film channels.
Posted by JeremyBoden about 1 month ago
I'm surprised that someone associated with Phorm (of all companies)! should be allowed any access to public broadcasting.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"BT has already shown how much Sky customers may be able to save......"

Errr 2 Sky sports channels on BT vision for £13.98 (or £6.99 each) as opposed to 5 Skysports channels on sky and in HD for £20 (or £4 each)... save what exactly??? Not only more expensive but in glorious 1950s resolutions.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
Sorry, according to Sky's own web site tonight:

"Sky TV customers can take Sky Sports or Sky Movies without any Entertainment Packs. Starting from £26 for Sky Movies and £29 for Sky Sports"

So way more than £13.98 I think! ANd don't forget the £13.98 includes ESPN too.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
^^^ Thats to take just sports or just movie packs. Existing Sky customers can get All sport channels for £20......
http://www.sky.com/quickbuy/build?addToBasket=&custype=EC#tvPacksSection

To get ESPN with either BT or Sky requies subscription to other services... Both services also require initial subscription fees. Sports channels via sky work out per cheaper per sport channel no matter how you look at it.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Sky have reduced their prices on sports and other services which will start Beginning of August and September and destroy BTs Sport prices on value whos service starts beginning of August.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
BTs Sky sports services will also only be available in SD not HD.... If you are a current long term sky customer with only SD gear you pay even less for the per sports channel (though if you upgrade or change packages at any time you lose that deal).
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
Suggest you check again on Sky's pricing as they have already announced that they will be putting UP their Sports channel prices for the start of the new football season!

The prices I quote above are the lowest offered by Sky online for taking just the sports channels, so are a fair comparison with the same option from BT. You are right that you pay extra for ESPN on Sky (its part of the bundle with BT), which is a MONTHLY not annual commitment.

Check both on the respective web sites, prices quoted by me previously were all listed this evening (24th July).
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
@CB
Have re-check Sky's pricing using your link:

Sky Sports 1 and 2 cost £20/month via SPorts Pack (£12 each)...but you HAVE to have the Entertainment Pack too at £19/month. Adding ESPN to Sky Sports costs £9/month, so you're up to £48/month for SD or another £10/month for HD just to watch the sports channels!

Taking into account the cost of broadband for BT Vision, the saving seems to be £184 a year to get the football vs. Sky's lowest inclusive price.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
^^^ My god are you stupid........ Its all of skysports for £20
Sky Sports 1 = £12
Sky Sports 2 = £12
OR ALL OF THEM, REFERED TO AS SKY SPORTS PACK = £20
tRY CLICKING MY LINK AND THEN WHERE IT SAYS "See the Sports Pack channel options available." (THATS PACK AS IN £20 FOR A PACK)
Or to make it easy for you, this......
http://www.sky.com/quickbuy/help/tvPacks#helpPopupAnchor_sports

THATS what you get for the £20 PACK...... My god can you BT Defenders not even click links!
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
The rest of you figures are a complete mess the only other things you are right on is you have to be a current sky subsciber, the same way you have to sub to BT vision at £15 a month after the first 3 months. BT isnt cheaper, including the cost of broadband its even more expensive as if you are a sky Tv subscriber you can get broadband free. so have no idea where you get that £184 figure from.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Oh and if talking phone and broadband dont forget BTs monthly line rental for the phone also. They certainly are not cheaper, you get less and it costs you more BT vision is basically freeview with a fee ondemand bits which you pay stupid amounts both monthly and on demand for.
Im no sky fan but its clear if talking content you can get a heck of a lot more from them than BT
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
@CB
Just to be clear, you cannot get the sports channels from Sky for £20/month - as per earlier posts, you have to take an Entertainment pack too, and ESPN is an extra cost option. Suggest you click on the link you posted yourself and actually read the information on screen.

The £184 saving per year is what you get by adding up the cost of the various elements required to get Sky and ESPN from BT vs Sky (yes inc BB etc). Do the maths!
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
For those of us that only want Sky Sports, the option to avoid the "tax" imposed by SKy of being forced to take all those spurious channels is very welcome.

By all means carry on with Sky if you enjoy the extra channels, I'd prefer to save the money.
Posted by TGVrecord about 1 month ago
Frankly I could not care less about Sky's and its competitors pricing for sports channels. As someone who dislikes sport especially football I would welcome all sport being diverted from FTA TV ;)
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"Just to be clear, you cannot get the sports channels from Sky for £20/month - as per earlier posts, you have to take an Entertainment pack too"

And you have to pay monthly fees of £15 for BT vision before you can get Sky sports on that, so your point is what?

quote"The £184 saving per year is what you get by adding up the cost of the various elements required to get Sky and ESPN from BT vs Sky (yes inc BB etc). Do the maths!"

NO it isnt thats the figure you saw on the BT website without AGAIN clicking on the link and reading the small print to see what they are comparing.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"For those of us that only want Sky Sports, the option to avoid the "tax" imposed by SKy of being forced to take all those spurious channels is very welcome."

What!!! If you just want BT vision dont you have to take channel packs also? Even if you dont you still have to pay a monthly fee for BT vision with no extras?.... You can have a sky dish and box installed take nothing from sky and pay no monthly fee...... Im done with you obviously bias towards BTs products and know nothing about the competition.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
@CB
Actually you're totally wrong about the monthly subscription for BT Vision to get Sky Sports, and why would you even bother suggesting someone has a Sky dish but takes no services? Hardly a relevant comparison!

You HAVE to take the Entertainment Pack and Sports Pack and ESPN to get a comparable set of sports channels from Sky to that available from BT for £13.98 (and with a monthly subscription from BT vs. annual from Sky).
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
If you really think satellite TV is the future then ask yourself why all new decent TVs and set top boxes are featuring Ethernet and/or wi-fi connectivity? The consumer electronic manufacturers can certainly see IPTV is the future, and that Canvas will give it a major boost in the UK.

Let's see how many Sky customer switch when they realise that their two main Sports channels are going up £3 each per month with Sky, making the offer on BT Vision even more compelling.

Let's end the debate now and wait and see what the market tells us in a few months.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
"You HAVE to take the Entertainment Pack and Sports Pack and ESPN to get a comparable set of sports channels from Sky to that available from BT for £13.98 (and with a monthly subscription from BT vs. annual from Sky)."

Nonsense maths again you have to pay for the Vision Box and a monthly subscription fee for it and then you can add on the £13.98
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"If you really think satellite TV is the future then ask yourself why all new decent TVs and set top boxes are featuring Ethernet and/or wi-fi connectivity? The consumer electronic manufacturers can certainly see IPTV is the future, and that Canvas will give it a major boost in the UK."

Where did i say satelite is the future? I didnt. As for canvas they havent even agreed a finalised spec for the tech, so dunno how you know what it will have if even they dont.
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
Quote - "Nonsense maths again you have to pay for the Vision Box and a monthly subscription fee for it and then you can add on the £13.98"

Actually... you're wrong.
Sky Sport is available on Vision without any of the normal TV packages. See the following link:

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=25634
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
You have to pay for a BT vision box whether you take channels or not, if you take no channels the damn thing costs you £90. From http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=24694

Don't want a viewing pack subscription? Just get a Vision+ box on a 12 month minimum term...........
We'll send you a Vision+ box digital TV recorder with Freeview – a £90 one-off fee applies.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Not to mention the fact you have to have your broadband with BT, so therre are additional monthly fees involved just to keep and be able to use the thing. You cant have your braodband elsewhere and have BT vision services. BT vision box also requires 2Mb for some services, which BT cant even provide to all customers.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
You do not and can not have a BT vision box in any way for free, subscribing or not. You cant have BT Vision services unless you have broadband with BT FULLSTOP... Monthly fees to BT will be involved. Sky you can have a Dish and decoder, and go to whoever you wish for other services and not subscribe to anything sky. AS I have said 3 times now. SHEESH!
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
That is true - you can't get a free box.

However you said "pay for the Vision Box and a monthly subscription for it"

Which is false (you were getting there with 50% truth in your statement).

You certainly are the king of repeating things wrongly (at least) 3 times now. SHEESH!
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
Hey Carpetburn...

You said "Not to mention the fact you have to have your broadband with BT, so therre are additional monthly fees involved just to keep and be able to use the thing."

How's this different from Virgin's V+ Box ?

And another thing... how's this different from Sky + (cause if you don't maintain some form of payment to them - the recording facility is disabled).

You're enquiringly (and with love).
The Guv.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
Interesting debate but back to my point about TVs and set top boxes coming with Ethernet and/or wi-fi now, IPTV is clearly coming so we can all look forward to a much better choice of options without the need to pay Sky for large numbers of channels we don't want to get access to the few that we do.

Let's hope Kip and colleagues do a good job so we can exploit our broadband with HD streams soon.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"That is true - you can't get a free box.

However you said "pay for the Vision Box and a monthly subscription for it"

Which is false (you were getting there with 50% truth in your statement)."

Thats not false there is an initial charge for the BT vision box (subscribing to sports or not) and then monthly fees involved.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"Hey Carpetburn...

You said "Not to mention the fact you have to have your broadband with BT, so therre are additional monthly fees involved just to keep and be able to use the thing."
How's this different from Virgin's V+ Box ?"
It isnt except thats HD and gives you more channels so id be happier to pay for that... Vision is basically nothing more than freeview SD with addons. Why would i or anyone want to pay £90 for a freeview box???
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
If you dont want to sub to the addon bits, thats what you have to pay just for the box and then monthly subs to continue to use it without any addons so you are basically paying for freeview if you dont sub to BT services.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"And another thing... how's this different from Sky + (cause if you don't maintain some form of payment to them - the recording facility is disabled)."

Er thats what you pay for, thats what the + is the recording.... So you lose recording if you dont pay, id sooner that then NO SERVICE at all. Stop paying for BT services you lose everything, can you even record on BT vision?? Infact who cares, its freeview, ill pay a one off for a freeview recorder, rather than £90+ 12months worth of subs to still use that box.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"Interesting debate but back to my point about TVs and set top boxes coming with Ethernet and/or wi-fi now, IPTV is clearly coming so we can all look forward to a much better choice of options without the need to pay Sky for large numbers of channels we don't want to get access to the few that we do."
Quite what you think you are going to get extra just because a TV has an ethernet port that wont involve a subsciption fee is still puzzling.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Is it just a case of you dont want to pay Sky, but are happy to pay others like BT and Project Canvas? Even though you may get less channel choice from them???..... You choose services differently to most people i know. Ill take service from whoever gives me most. And if nobody offers what i want ill take none.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
@CB
WIth Sky, you pay for lots of channels that (most of us) don't watch or watch very little - look at the ratings if you dispute this.

I'd rather pay for what I want (in my case sport, possibly the odd film) than pay a lot for what I don't want just to get the few channels that I do.

Re your scepticism about IPTV, suggest you make a note in your diary to reconsider in 18 months time. Yes you will have to pay for (some) content, but we'll finally have true video on demand and personalised schedules.
Posted by New_Londoner about 1 month ago
By all means continue to gorge yourself on "all you can eat" TV if you like, but some of us prefer quality to quantity (and woudl like to save money by not paying for the dross).
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
Now now Carpetburn. Here's what I find interesting and I wonder if anyone else does?

You asked whether or not Vision does recording. This clearly indicates you actually know v.little on the subject in hand.

Does anyone else think CB is lazy and pedals inaccurate opinions as fact?
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"@CB
WIth Sky, you pay for lots of channels that (most of us) don't watch or watch very little - look at the ratings if you dispute this.

I'd rather pay for what I want (in my case sport, possibly the odd film) than pay a lot for what I don't want just to get the few channels that I do."

But you are not because to get BT vision you have to pay for BT broadband, so ya paying for something you may not want either way.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"By all means continue to gorge yourself on "all you can eat" TV if you like, but some of us prefer quality to quantity (and woudl like to save money by not paying for the dross)."

Again makes no sense because to get Sky Sports on BT Vision you have to pay for the box and for broadband from them, you are not saving money if you have to purchase something you dont want be it from BT or Sky.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
quote"Now now Carpetburn. Here's what I find interesting and I wonder if anyone else does?

You asked whether or not Vision does recording. This clearly indicates you actually know v.little on the subject in hand.

Does anyone else think CB is lazy and pedals inaccurate opinions as fact? "

Oh i was waiting for this and led you stright into it.... Yes BT vision allows you to record..... only while you sub to it, and it appears only the freeview side of things. Wasnt you the one that moaned about paying Sky to record? BT vision is even more limited...
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/btvisionfaq.html
Its all explained there, like how you have to sub to BT broadband to keep the service, like how you have to sub to using the programme guide for record functions like series record.
And if there was any doubt its only freeview you can record and not the ondemand stuff and unlikely subs like sport...
http://www.btvision.bt.com/tv/freeview/freeview-on-your-bt-vision-v-box/

OPPS! What was you saying about sky and recording... LOL...... And nah im not lazy i just waity for idiots to make errors then leap.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
BT Vision like BT defenders is an utter joke. Nothing but basically freeview channels.... No HD channels, Rented (ondemand stuff in HD but with no 5.1 or higher surround sound). Oh great i pay to rent a movie in HD with 1980s stereo LMAO........ Oh yeah BT Vision boxes so worth 12 month contracts and £90 up front what a bargain compared to the competition LMAO Go ahead now fanboys defend your upscaled TV nonsense and rubbish stereo sound (ouch my sides) Do you all watch on 14inch CRT screens still also LOL
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Is the new Canvas defending because you BT fans actually think its going to be good or because BT are involved in it and bringing their OH SO HIGH standards of content to it? Stereo sound and Upscaling, if BT have their way... Thats revolutionary, everyone buy it NOW! Its not like you can get freeview recorders with BIGGER HDDs for less than a BT vision box. Oh damn hold on, i cant claim that i know nothing about BT vision. *Ouch my sides AGAIN*
Posted by TGVrecord about 1 month ago
Please Gentleman calm down :)

I don't want to subscribe to any sports channels but it is clear to me there are people who do. For some Sky is the best option but for others it is not. It all depends on a persons circumstance which service suits them. Cost is only one variable. Other factors are quality, type of sport and uninterrupted coverage. However you look at it a monopoly is not a good thing be it Sky or another provider.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
*Oh im so in full rant mode now* Tell me also when you rent a movie do you enjoy the several hours wait for it to download over that 1990s bundled tripe called ADSL which BT provide in their triple package.... Oh sorry i forgot thats BT UPTO 8Mb so thats superior to Virgin 50Mb and ondemand, and skys ADSL2+ LLU and ondemand....... It works soooooooo much quicker on BTs triple play services with UPTO 8Mb. Seriously trying to say BT bundle services are superior in any way shape or form, especially their half measure TV service is beyond funny. They lock people up in looney bins for less.
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
TGVrecord....... If you are that into Sports, you would want HD and several sports channels. What are the BT mob going to do when they are watching Sky Sports 2 on their Vision shoebox and the announcer says the coverage of what you are watching will continue over on Sky Sports 3 ( The Olympics in 2012 and watching a specific event is a good example... Yes that happens with sports events BT fans)...... But oh no they are too gormless to think about that. LOL
Posted by CARPETBURN about 1 month ago
Anyways im done now, leave them to their limited line up of channels, naff stereo sound and blocky SD picture, they obviously like it.
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
Has to be said CB, this is stuff of a desperate keyboard warrior.

Love the way you justify stuff by writing war and peace and try to claim you are drawing people in to make mistakes. This is the type of thing either an idiot or the mentally challenged would say.

Taxi for Carpetburn.... ;-)
Posted by TGVrecord about 1 month ago
Ah I recall seeing the BBC version of War and Peace and was lucky to see it in colour! I have seen some episodes recently and despite its age I still consider it to be a pretty good drama, however production techniques are now so different. I doubt if the mix of film and video would be acceptable today.
Posted by TheGuv about 1 month ago
Only a matter of time before Sky show a remastered version in 3d in a limited number of pubs! ;-)
Posted by TGVrecord about 1 month ago
I think you are wrong, it is to be the remastered 3d version of I Claudius! ;-)
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