BBC & ITV join hands for on-demand service in USA

BBC Worldwide and ITV have come together to form AMC Networks for an on-demand service called, Britbox in the USA.

Britbox will “celebrate the very best of British TV”, with a comprehensive SVOD collection of British content from today and the past. The content will include new programmes not aired in the US previously such as ‘New Blood’, ‘Cold Feet’ and ‘Tutankhamun’. Popular soaps like ‘EastEnders’, ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Emmerdale’ will be available on Britbox within 24 hours after their telecast in the UK.

“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.”

Simon Pitts, ITV Managing Director of Online, Pay TV and Interactive said, “Britain produces some of the best television in the world and we’re delighted to be bringing the creative might of the BBC and ITV together for the first time in this exciting new streaming service for U.S. fans. BritBox will be the best and most comprehensive British streaming service in the U.S.; a rich catalogue of classic, new, and exclusive shows easily accessible to U.S. viewers all in one place. ITV is now a global production and distribution business and this marks the first step in our international ambitions for BritBox.”

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.”

BritBox will be available on responsive web, mobile (iOS and Android), Roku, AppleTV, and Chromecast at launch in the U.S. There is also ambition to roll out the service in other international markets. Pricing for the service will be available at launch.