The BBC, ITV and BT have announced plans to develop a new service that will deliver on-demand TV over the broadband network.
The new venture between the three companies, dubbed 'Project Canvas', will combine terrestrial TV programming with on-demand internet services like the BBC's iPlayer.
It will be delivered via a next-generation set-top box, similar to the Freeview box.
Project Canvas is open to all public service broadcasters, device developers and internet service providers.
It could be operational by early 2010 and will broadcast radio, TV, movies and web content as well as the iPlayer and the ITV player.
"This proposal will bring catch-up from the PC to the TV set in your living room, and all for free," said ITV's executive chairman, Michael Grade.
Ian Livingston, chief executive officer of BT, said the marriage of TV and broadband is a "compelling combination".
"Together they can offer live TV along with an unrivalled choice of on-demand content and interactive services. It will mean that you can watch what you want whenever you want on your television," he said.
Michael Phillips, product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk, welcomed the new initiative to bring on-demand TV over the web, but warned that ISPs must make it clear to customers when they exceed their download limits.
"Whilst ITV calls the planned services 'free,' some ISPs charge customers 75 pence or more for each gigabyte they download above their monthly limit so costs could quickly escalate, and this would be in addition to their television license fee," Phillips said.
He also called on ISPs to continue to invest in their networks to provide fast, reliable broadband services.
The new initiative is subject to BBC Trust approval and public consultation. This week marks the first anniversary of the BBC iPlayer. In the 12 months since it was launched over 180 million programmes have been watched on the service.
www.bbc.co.uk www.itv.com www.bt.co.uk www.broadbandchoices.co.uk 
Topic: On-demand TV ready in 2010 (Read 2094 times)