Kangaroo is set to test launch in January

BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 are planning to test launch their joint broadband TV venture Project Kangaroo in January, ahead of the Competition Commission’s ruling.

Kangaroo’s backers are determined to go ahead with the project’s technical development, despite its launch being subject to the Competition Commission’s approval.

It is understood that the project will go into its beta phase in December, with launch trials of the service expected early next year.

Tests will be carried out by a limited number of users to check the service’s usability and functionality, according to reports.

Ben McOwen Wilson, director of ITV Online and a Project Kangaroo board member, said: “As shareholders we have chosen to continue investing and developing the site so that if we get approval we can launch as soon as possible.

“We aim to launch a limited closed trial in the new year,” he confirmed.

Project Kangaroo was referred to the Competition Commission in June, following concerns over whether it could potentially unbalance the ad market and result in a merger situation, which would lead to competition issues.

The investigation into the joint VoD service is expected to run until February next year (see Kangaroo Referred To Competition Commission).

Last week, the project’s chief executive Ashley Highfield announced that he was standing down from the role to join Microsoft (see Kangaroo CEO steps down).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com