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Kangaroo (video on demand)
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Kangaroo will be a video on demand platform offering content from BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of the BBC), ITV.com and Channel 4's 4oD, expected to launch in 2008, although this may be delayed until 2009 [1][2]. Unlike the BBC iPlayer, which is publically funded and has no plans to carry any paid content, Kangaroo will allow users to purchase content from a large back catalogue. As noted below, the planned to link to content on BBC iPlayer means that it will provide a single broadband VOD service for the key three broadcasters in the UK. It should be noted that Kangaroo is the project name; the final name and brand of the service have yet to be announced, but it is believed it will be known as SeeSaw[3].
The three networks behind the project will continue to offer content independently of the service, with ITV and Channel 4 planning to offer catch up services through their own websites, and the BBC saying that it will not replace the iPlayer, but content from the iPlayer will be "listed within" the new service.[4] However, it is expected that 4oD will be subsumed into Kangaroo.[5] The site is expected to be powered by Kontiki and developed by ioko.[6]
It was announced on 14 April 2008 that Ashley Highfield, Director of Future Media and Technology at the BBC, had been appointed the CEO of Kangaroo.[7]
On 30 June 2008, the UK's Office of Fair Trading referred the proposal to the Competition Commission with concerns that "there was a danger that the platform could be too powerful".[8] The Commission has until 12 December 2008 to complete its review.
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