BBC Worldwide and ITV are to partner for a new subscription video on demand service for the US market.
Britbox is designed to bring the best of the UK to the United States and features premieres including New Blood and In the Dark, historical dramas Tutankhamun (pictured) and The Moonstone as well as season premieres of drama favourites Cold Feet and Silent Witness.
AMC Networks, which has a joint venture in the US cable channel BBC America, will have a non voting minority interest in the channel.
“The BBC and ITV are the two most prolific content producers and broadcasters in British television – both known for their unrivalled, 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.”
The Now section will feature popular UK soaps Eastenders, Emmerdale and Holby City.
Josh Sapan, AMC Networks President and CEO, said, “The BBC and ITV each have a long history of creating spectacular premium content and some of the most iconic shows on television. 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. We think this service will be irresistible to people who value creative content and great television.”
The US market for SVOD services is estimated to reach the $8 billion mark by end of 2016, with some 110 million subscriptions.
