Well, it seems it’s not just the major Hollywood studios like Disney, Warner Bros. and Universal who are looking to take on Netflix, with the BBC and ITV announcing that they are forming a partnership for a new UK-based streaming service entitled BritBox.
“I am really pleased that ITV and the BBC are at the concluding stage of discussions to launch a new streaming service,” states 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,” adds Tony Hall, BBC Director-General. “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.”
According to the official press release, BritBox will “be an original streaming service providing an unrivalled collection of British boxsets and original series” and include “the biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service” along with “brand new commissions for British production companies specifically created for BritBox.”
The BBC and ITV are currently working on a formal legal agreement for BritBox, and anticipate that other partners will be added to the service ahead of or following its launch in the second half of 2019.
What do you make of this news? Are you happy to pay an additional fee to access the BBC’s license fee-funded archive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @FlickeringMyth…
