The original goal was for the first Canvas devices (set top boxes) to go on sale to consumers in early 2010. The big contributor to this goal is the rollout of high definition (HD) digital terrestrial television (DTT).
While some areas of the UK will start having some high definition Freeview broadcasts (notably the BBC) in late 2009, the hope for Canvas is that it can be incorporated into devices made by manufacturers aiming to get the bulk of consumers as they upgrade their equipment across 2010 as HD Freeview rolls out more broadly across the country[3-s2.6.1] (both in technical broadcasts, and actual HD content offered on Freeview by broadcasters).
If the Canvas standards are not introduced into devices that go on sale early enough, and if Freeview HD is seen as compelling enough by consumers, there is a risk that they will upgrade to devices that show Freeview HD but do not incorporate Canvas. When Canvas-capable devices are then available for purchase, the BBC's fear is they will be less likely to then buy new devices so shortly after[3-s2.12.2]. This will limit the speed of adoption of Canvas by consumers.
The chances of Canvas-capable devices being in market by early 2010 were greatly reduced in early June 2009, when the BBC Trust asked the BBC executive management to provide it with more comprehensive information on how Project Canvas overall would work (the Trust was to rule on whether the BBC's involvement in Canvas meets with its overall public service broadcasting obligations). While the BBC is seen as a core driver of the Project (it is planned to be one of three to four shareholders, the BBC Trust has not yet given its approval for continued involvement. This approval was originally expected in July 2009, but the Trust's decision is now predicted to be delivered around September. If this delay materially slows down the BBC's involvement in Canvas, it will be very tough for Canvas to still do all it needs to to get devices on sale to consumers in early 2010.
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