The BBC and ITV are in the concluding phase of talks to establish a strategic partnership to launch a streaming SVOD service to rival Netflix.
The BBC and ITV have agreed to launch BritBox in the UK, and are now working on a formal legal agreement. Other partners will be added to the platform and both will speak to regulators and the wider industry about their proposals.
BritBox would be an original streaming service providing a collection of British boxsets and original series, offering the biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service, as well as brand new commissions for British production companies specifically created for BritBox.
“I am really pleased that ITV and the BBC are at the concluding stage of discussions to launch a new streaming service,” said Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV.
“BritBox will be the home for the best of British creativity – celebrating the best of the past, the best of today and investing in new British originated content in the future.”
“I am delighted that the BBC and ITV are working together on something truly special – BritBox,” added BBC Director General, Tony Hall.
“A new streaming service delivering the best home grown content to the public who love it best. The service will have everything from old favourites to recent shows and brand new commissions. It’s an exciting time for the viewing public.”
The aim is to launch the service in the second half of 2019. Pricing to be announced at a later date. In the US and Canada, BritBox has now signed 500,000 subscribers.
