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Business News Digital Media
BBC and ITV confirm plans to launch video-on-demand service in UK
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 28 February 2019
The BBC and ITV have confirmed that they are close to agreeing a strategic partnership that will result in the launch of a new video-on-demand service in the UK, offering access to programmes made by the two broadcasters.
It’s the latest attempt by traditional telly-makers in the UK to launch a joint video-on-demand platform, previous alliances resulting in the short-lived SeeSaw and the still going YouView. The new project will actually extend an existing BBC/ITV joint venture service called BritBox, currently operational in North America, back onto home turf.
This is obviously an attempt by the traditional broadcasters to try to take a slice of the now buoyant video streaming market from dominant players Netflix and Amazon Prime. Though, whereas the SeeSaw venture was probably too early, the big UK launch of BritBox has possibly come too late. We’ll see. You know us, always the optimists, never the naysayers.
Bosses at the Beeb and ITV say that they have agreed a creative
vision for the new UK-based service and are now talking legals. They
will also discuss their plans with other British broadcasters and media
regulator OfCom.
Says ITV chief Carolyn McCall: “I am really pleased that ITV and
the BBC are at the concluding stage of discussions to launch a new
streaming service. 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”.
Meanwhile BBC top dude Tony Hall adds: “I am delighted that the
BBC and ITV are working together on something truly special – BritBox. 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”.
