BT and Talktalk are major partners in this new venture, but at present we are not sure whether the service will be limited to customers of these two ISPs.

"YouView is a brilliant new subscription-free TV service which combines the best TV with on demand services and internet content. I am delighted to be leading the team who will make it a reality and think it will change the way we watch TV forever," said Halton.

Kip Meek, said: "YouView is key to ensuring that everyone in the UK benefits from next-generation TV and the UK has a competitive market. Viewers will get more choice whilst broadcasters and content providers both national and local will get a fantastic new means of finding audiences."

YouView, which expects to launch in the first half of next year, will introduce a programme guide that goes backwards as well as forwards, allowing viewers to see programmes they've missed in the last 7 days.

YouView set-top boxes will include a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and programme search function, the service is also planning to offer an applications store.

Source: DTG