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Project Kangaroo, the collaboration between the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, looks to be back on track and set for a March 2009 launch following the departure of its chief exec Ashley Highfield to Microsoft.

Although no permanent replacement has been found (and isn't likely to be before February), new reports suggest that Vodco, the holding company for the project, confirmed Alpha testing will start in December and a closed Beta test phase will commence in January, a month before the Competition Commission publishes its final review.

In the interim, Channel 4 new business director Rod Henwod will operate as interim chief of Project Kangaroo.

A spokesman for Kangaroo commented, 'The shareholders are now actively recruiting a new chief executive. This process will run concurrently with the Competition Commission process and an appointment will be announced post the final decision from the Competition Commission'.

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