BritBox UK could be folded into new streaming platform ITVX
BritBox has only been available in the UK for three years, serving up classic shows from major UK broadcast channels including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. However, there are rumours that there are big changes on the way.
Cordbustersreports that BritBox UK will eventually be folded into the upcoming streaming service ITVX, ITV’s new platform set to debut later this year.
It’s already been confirmed by ITV that the BritBox library will be available viaITVX, which will feature a free, ad-supported tier and a premium, ad-free tier with more content. ITV published the following statement in apress release:
“BritBox will remain the standalone subscription home of the best of British content… until later this year, when the content on ITV Hub and BritBox come together in what will be the new streaming home of ITV, ITVX.”
Only paid subscribers of ITVX will have access to all 6,000 hours of content from the BritBox UK library, which could sit on the platform like the ‘Star’ brand does on Disney+.
Cordbusters claims that this will mark the end of the availability of BritBox as a standalone service – and furthermore that BritBox will not produce any of its own Originals anymore, with ITVX taking creative control of new streaming shows and films. If this is the case, it’s not known whether ongoing BritBox Originals such as Spitting Image will continue to be produced under the ITVX label.
At the start of March, it was revealed thatthe BBCwould no longer be a stakeholder in BritBox going forward. The company sold its 10% ownership to ITV, though it will continue to lend the content that it has promised to the service, such as all the classic series ofDoctor Who.
Allegedly, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are “still committed to BritBox”, so expect to still see shows from these channels on the library.
Cordbusters claims that if the merger happens, former monthly subscribers may be redirected to sign up for ITVX. In addition, annual BritBox subscribers could be migrated to ITVX, presumably for no extra fee until their subscription runs out.
We’ve contacted ITV and BritBox for comment on this story, but have received no reply thus far.
BritBox has had a rocky few years in the UK. It currently has around 733,000 subscribers in the country (to compare, Netflix has around 17 million), and made a venture loss of around £61 million last year.
It’s unsurprising really, considering that a lot of its shows are available on other free on-demand platforms such as theITV Hub,BBC iPlayer, andAll 4. The streaming service has seen more success abroad, where it’s harder to come across classic UK TV shows.
Whilst BritBox is possibly being merged over on UK shores, there are no rumours about it closing in the US or internationally. In fact, BritBox launched infour Nordic countries today.
For now, you can still sign up forBritBox. Subscriptions cost £5.99 per month or £59.99 per year, and new users can get a seven-day free trial.
Pricing for ITVX has not yet been revealed. However, the ad-free version ofITV Hubcosts £3.99 per month, so with the additional content, we expect ITVX to be a little bit more expensive than BritBox to compete with other rivals.
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Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She’s also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she’s written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.
