BBC given TV Internet go-ahead

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been given the go-ahead for the controversial venture to bring Internet services to the television set, a decision that could make the public service broadcaster a leading player in a new TV technology. The venture - known as Project Canvas - which is designed to strengthen free-to-air broadcasters in the Internet age, has been fiercely criticized by British Sky Broadcasting, the pay-TV operator. Set-top boxes using Canvas software are expected to be available late next year for about £200, allowing people to access websites such as the BBC's iPlayer, NHS Direct and Amazon through their TVs. Canvas is likely to become the dominant platform for Internet services on TV, as the venture's partners are the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, plus BT and Carphone Warehouse, the leading broadband providers. The BBC Trust, the public service broadcaster's governing body, has been reviewing whether Canvas is a suitable use of the licence fee.