A forthcoming subscription video on-demand (SVOD) service will bring British television to American shores. It’s called Britbox, and it’s a joint venture between two of the most prominent media companies in the UK: The BBC and ITV.
On Britbox, which is funded in part by an investment from AMC Networks, subscribers will have access to a combination of new imports, in-season series, and classic shows. Titles announced thus far include never-before-seen-in-the-US drama New Blood, long-running soap EastEnders, and iconic programs like Fawlty Towers. Additional entries to the Britbox catalogue are expected to be announced at a later date.
Rumors of Britbox have been bubbling since at least May, when the platform was tentatively titled “Britflix.” By launching their US-facing product, the BBC and ITV will compete in a trendy niche within the SVOD world. Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have all made deals to distribute British shows to American viewers, and if Britbox can sign up some of those consumers, it will be develop a nice little base for itself.
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“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 of BBC Worldwide North America, in a press release. “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.”
More details about Britbox, including its price, will be revealed closer to its launch date. The SVOD service is expected to arrive during the first quarter of 2017.
