The BBC, Channel 4 and ITV are reportedly collaborating on a joint video download service for their programmes.

Project Kangaroo aims to create a single portal for all terrestrial downloads. The programmes would be downloaded initially to users' computers, but in the longer term the companies are looking to allow them to be sent straight to the television.

"There is still a lot to be agreed and nothing is signed yet. But they want to do what Freeview did for digital TV, but in terms of content delivered via a broadband platform," an anonymous source told The Guardian.

"Ultimately, Freeview boxes provide a clear way into a mass number of homes for their on-demand content."

It is envisioned that programmes from the previous seven days would be available free, and that users would pay to download earlier content. Programmes would be available on-demand rather than streamed.