Kangaroo Unveils Plans For Ad-Funded Model

Project Kangaroo has unveiled plans to launch a service supported by an ad-funded model, offering free content to viewers.

BBC Worldwide, Channel 4 and ITV have updated their submission to the Competition Commission this week, stating that each partner will be responsible for selling advertising around their own content on the website.

This is set to include catch-up material from the last month and an archive of older broadcast material.

However, general display advertising on the site will be sold centrally by Kangaroo, according to reports.

The updated submission also reveals that the partners plan to feature paid-for content on the site, allowing viewers to access rented programmes, or giving them the option of buying shows.

According to the report, the BBC’s iPlayer will be maintained as a separate service following the launch, which is due by mid-2009, while Channel 4’s 4oD video-on-demand service will be closed.

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).

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