ITV and the BBC to launch 'BritBox' streaming service in the UK
ITV and the BBC have agreed to launch the ‘BritBox’ streaming service in the UK in the fourth quarter of the year, it was revealed on Friday.
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The FTSE 100 commercial television broadcaster said it was a “bold” step for itself and the state broadcaster, as it would extend the paid British content streaming service currently operating in North America to the home of the productions it features.
It said BritBox would be “competitively priced” at £5.99 per month in high definition and across multiple screens and devices, which was a lower price than other streaming services.
BritBox would feature “the nation's favourite programmes” and be home to the largest collection of British boxsets, with the venture also set to commission a range of original series.
The streaming service would be co-branded by ITV and the BBC, and would showcase the depth and breadth of British creativity, on demand, ad free and in one place, ITV explained.
It said mainstream audiences were moving to streaming video on demand “in large numbers”, with research showing that there was a “real appetite” among British viewers for a new British streaming service in addition to their current subscriptions.
The service would be the place to view shows recently broadcast on ITV and the BBC including Love Island, Famalam, Cleaning Up and Gentleman Jack, as well as iconic shows such as Gavin & Stacey, Victoria, Happy Valley, Broadchurch, Les Miserables, The Office and Benidorm, which would be on the service at launch or come onto the service shortly after licences with other streaming services ended.
“The agreement to launch BritBox is a milestone moment,” said ITV chief executive officer Carolyn McCall.
“Subscription video on demand is increasingly popular with consumers who love being able to watch what they want when they want to watch it.
“They are also happy to pay for this ease of access to quality content and so BritBox is tapping into this, and a new revenue stream for UK public service broadcasters.”
McCall said ITV and the BBC had made, and continued to make, the programmes that both reflected and shaped British culture and creativity.
“We now look forward to working together to launch the largest collection of British box sets ever - bringing the very best in past, present and future British programming and award-winning content to viewers all in one place.
“We are already working together on BritBox in the US and Canada and this is proving to be very successful, exceeding its targets.”
ITV was committed to making BritBox UK a success, McCall added.
“Discussions continue with other content and distribution partners and we are looking forward to making further announcements in the coming months.”
BBC director general Tony Hall added that the UK had a “world beating” television industry, with “outstanding” content, with the BBC and ITV at the centre of that.
“Together, we have been responsible for delivering the majority of "must see" moments on British television over the last decade.
“That ‘must see’ content will now be on BritBox.”
But Hall noted that the service was not just about the past.
“I am really excited about the new shows it will commission.
“With a remit to be daring and different, many future classics will be commissioned and live on BritBox for the future.
“Importantly, these shows will be truly British, showcasing our culture and telling distinctive stories.”