BBC Worldwide and U.K.-based broadcaster ITV are teaming on BritBox, an ad-free SVOD service focused on British TV that will debut in the U.S. sometime in Q1 2017.
AMC Networks, which has a J.V. with BBC Worldwide for cable net BBC America, is on board as an investor in BritBox with a non-voting minority interest. BBC Worldwide and ITV have an equal majority stake in the BritBox venture.
BritBox, which carries the tagline “Indulge your inner Brit,” will feature classic and newer British TV series, including New Blood, Tutankhamun, The Moonstone,In The Dark,Cold Feet Silent Witness, Pride and Prejudice, and Fawlty Towers. The service’s “Now” category will also include soaps and series that will be available as rapidly as 24 hours after their U.K. broadcast debut, including titles such as Eastenders,Emmerdale and Holby City.
Pricing for BritBox has not been announced, but, at launch, the service will be offered on iOS and Android mobile devices, Web browsers, Roku players and Roku TVs, Apple TV devices, and optimized for the Google Chromecast streaming adapter.
“The BBC and ITV are the two most prolific content producers and broadcasters in British television – both known for their unrivaled, ground-breaking shows,” said Ann Sarnoff, President, BBC Worldwide North America. “BritBox will offer a streaming experience like no other, with thousands of hours of programs across a wide variety of genres – some of which will be available right after their UK broadcast. This will be a must-have service for lovers of British television,” Ann Sarnoff, president of BBC Worldwide North America, said in a statement.
“ITV is now a global production and distribution business and this marks the first step in our international ambitions for BritBox.” Added Simon Pitts, ITV’s managing director of online, pay TV and interactive.
“We are delighted to expand our current partnership with BBC Worldwide and view this investment as a strategic opportunity for AMC Networks to participate in a digital platform dedicated to offering shows of the highest quality,” said Josh Sapan, president and CEO of AMC Networks
