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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Trust has today begun a review examining how well the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's involvement in broadband television service YouView is meeting the conditions set by the Trust. 

YouView is an on demand TV service that enables viewers with a broadband connection to watch catch-up television and access on-demand TV players such as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer, as well as live TV channels. Launched in July 2012, YouView is a joint venture between the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and six other partners: ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva.

In June 2010, the Trust approved the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's involvement in YouView. The approval was given subject to a number of conditions which would be reviewed 12 months after launch, to ensure that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ participation remains consistent with the terms of the Trust's approval.

The Trust's review will conclude this autumn.

Diane Coyle, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Trustee said:

"We put in place conditions to ensure the public got the greatest possible benefit from YouView. Now almost 400,000 YouView boxes have been sold, this review is an opportunity to check that the conditions are working as they should."

The review will focus on the following areas:

• The availability of access and usability features that will allow those who are blind or partially sighted or who suffer from moderate motor skills impairment to use the service
• The use of 'editorial signposting' to allow audiences to make informed choices about the content they watch
• Syndication – whether the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's involvement in YouView has had an impact on other public service broadcasters in the approach they take to making their programme content available to other platforms
• The way in which YouView is promoted by its partners (with particular reference to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ activity, which is subject to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ code on cross promotion)

Notes to editors:

1. The Trust's final 2010 decision on YouView can be read here
2. The review's terms of reference  (PDF file, 101KB)
3. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's code on cross promotion  (PDF file, 90KB)
4. As of end May 2013 almost 400,000 YouView boxes have been sold.
5. YouView is an on-demand TV service with over 70 live digital channels.  It combines seven day catch-up on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 with a library of on demand television programmes, films and radio.  For more information on YouView visit and on Twitter @YouView.