YouView (Project Canvas), a subscription-free broadband ISP based video-on-demand and catch-up TV ( IPTV ) service, which was originally set to underpin new products from both TalkTalk and BT Retail this year, has officially been delayed by approximately six months or more until "early 2012".

The move confirms an earlier rumour in January 2011 (here), which referenced a mix of internal squabbles between some of the Joint Venture partners (BBC , ITV , BT , TalkTalk , Channel 4 , five, Arqiva) and technical problems. These were both deemed to be holding the entire project back.


Only yesterday TalkTalk boldly claimed to still be "on track" with its quad-play ambitions which, like BT, would have seen the ISP launching a new YouView based internet TV service this summer. Instead YouView will now have a product in trial by the end of this year, with a full consumer launch planned for early 2012.

YouView also confirmed that it would shortly be publishing its core technical specifications for launch, which have apparently required "significant technological innovation as well as industry engagement" to create a TV platform that is based on open and "common standards".

In fairness this is probably a good thing as it will mean that YouView has more time to resolve any technical problems, as opposed to launching a buggy first generation product into the market, and will also enter at a time when the availability of superfast broadband has improved. Older DSL based services simply won't be able to do YouView justice.

Meanwhile Sky Broadband (BSkyB) and Virgin Media are likely to breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that they won't have to spend more time and money trying to debunk the service until next year.