Youview on-demand TV service delayed until 2012

Youview, an on-demand TV service being worked on by both broadcasters and broadband internet companies, has been delayed until early 2012.

The service, which is backed by companies such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, BT and Talktalk, was due to launch later this year, but today Youview announced a significant delay.

When it does launch, Youview promises to bring Freesat and Freeview content, as well as on-demand services and interactive applications.

It will require a set-top box and a broadband connection; the service will also be subscription-free. As an open platform, Youview allows any manufacturer to build a device using the technology currently being developed.

Product trials are now set to start towards the end of this year with a full consumer launch "planned in early 2012".

Richard Halton, CEO of Youview, said that the delay reflected "the scale and complexity of the project" and that creating a truly open TV platform "has required significant technological innovation".

He added that they wanted to "deliver a product to consumers that is right, but not rushed".