The telecom operator Orange has emerged as a possible buyer for the technology behind project Kangaroo; a joint venture originally proposed by the BBC, ITV and Channel Four to create a one stop shop for video on demand.
Project Kangaroo was originally given a provisional launch date of March 2009 by its backers, but this was subject to the Competition Commission publishing a review of the service on the 25th of November. The competition commission's involvement has stemmed from fears the service might prove "too powerful".
The competition commission having ruled this February that Project Kangaroo would infringe competition rules, the joint venture was shelved. The BBC, ITV and Channel Four have been looking at selling the technology behind project Kangaroo since the ruling.
France Telecom (the parent company of Orange) is aiming to use the Project Kangaroo technology to expand its own service in France. Orange TV currently has more than 1 million subscribers. France Telecom announced last year its intention to extend its set-top box-based service to include web TV services.
Although the current economic climate in the UK has put more ambitious plans on hold, Orange are looking at some point to launch a digital TV service in the UK.
France Telecom may be cautiously moving forward at this moment in time, but their long term grand ambitions remain, a spokesperson stating: "Our vision and ambition for Orange to become a major player in the home entertainment market remains and we will regularly be reviewing our position in order to fulfil on that ambition. "
- Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
- © 2007-2010 HDTVorg.co.uk inc
