Canvas

YouView is an Internet TV service in the United Kingdom, operated by a partnership of three telecommunications operators and four broadcasters. It was formed from a project originally titled “Project Canvas”, which was rebranded as YouView in September 2010. The service was due to launch by the end of that year, but was delayed until 4 July 2012. At its launch, YouView’s then-Chairman Alan Sugar stated his ambition for the service to replace Freeview devices. YouView provides access to free-to-air Digital Terrestrial Television channels (both DTT and DVB-T2 channels in common with the Freeview television platform) and to TV on demand (catch-up TV) services via a ‘hybrid’ set-top box purchased by users, connected with both a broadband Internet connection and a normal television aerial. No contract is required, and there is no subscription charge. Catch-up and on-demand content is delivered over the Internet, which may be chargeable by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or subject to limits and fair usage clauses. BT and TalkTalk have each partnered with YouView, allowing BT TV and TalkTalk Plus TV customers to access the service, along with BT’s and TalkTalk’s own offerings. Both companies provide customers with their own branded YouView set-top box.