The big three terrestrial broadcasters are looking at the launch of a joint video download service. BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are investigating at DTT-IPTV hybrid boxes to provide a selection of their most popular programmes on demand. “Project Kangaroo” would also invite other broadcasters to participate in the scheme.
Last September the BBC announced a trial with the software developer Cabot Communications that combined digital video recorder technology with push video on demand content.
All three of the Project Kangaroo partners have web-based download services launching in the next few weeks or in the case of Channel 4 already up and running.
If the Kangaroo receives the go ahead – the involvement of the BBC suggests a Public Value Test will be required – it will provide the consumer with yet another variant on the Freeview DTT box. When the platform launched the idea was to make the receivers as cheap as possible in order to gain mass penetration. Subsequently different technologies have come from Top Up TV, BT Vision and potentially Sky. Freeview is also launching its own digital video recorder under the Replay brand.
