Channel 5 rejoins Project Canvas

Channel 5 has rejoined BBC-backed video-on-demand service Project Canvas following the broadcaster's purchase by Richard Desmond. Desmond reversed the decision taken under the channel's former owner RTL , saying Project Canvas was "set to shape the future of broadcasting". Project Canvas's other partners include the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, Talk Talk and Arqiva. Bringing video-on-demand to Freeview and Freesat, it is set to launch next year and is expected to use the brand name YouView. It was approved by the BBC Trust in June. Desmond said: "Project Canvas is set to shape the future of broadcasting and open up new and exciting possibilities for viewers. "This is important to the future of Channel 5 and having an open internet-connected TV platform fits closely with our plans to bring brilliant new content and interactive services to viewers. We're delighted to renew Channel 5's commitment to supporting Project Canvas following a review of our digital strategy." The Project Canvas director, Richard Halton, added: "Channel 5 has already made a major contribution to Project Canvas and we're delighted to have them back on board. This is great recognition of how important Canvas is to the future of television." Channel 5 quit Project Canvas in June . The broadcaster was bought by Desmond in a £103.5m deal last month. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".