BritBox Launches in the U.K., Strikes Channel 4 Deal

BritBox, the streaming service created by BBC and ITV, has officially opened for business in the U.K. and has signed a partnership deal with Channel 4 for British TV boxsets from All 4 and movies from Film4.

The three-year deal with C4 will see 1,000-plus hours from All 4—with a range of comedy, drama and non-scripted programs from across the service, including new series—and for the first time to any streamer, an exclusive Film4 curated service featuring iconic British films. BritBox will bring All 4 to the service in spring 2020, with new series being available 31 days following the broadcast of the last episode on Channel 4. Film4 will follow later in 2020.

Alex Mahon, CEO at Channel 4, said: “Channel 4 has always showcased distinctive and diverse British content and, in a world of almost unlimited choice, our public service brand values are more important than ever for viewers. The opportunity to collaborate as PSBs on BritBox extends our track record of partnership and will ensure there is a compelling single destination for the very best high quality, homegrown content.”

BT is partnering with BritBox to create a range of products and offers that feature access to BritBox for millions of customers across its brands and services. As part of the deal, EE will be the exclusive mobile partner for BritBox.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s consumer division, said; “We’re delighted to be partnering with the world’s best streaming providers to give our customers the U.K.’s best TV experience—offering unrivaled choice and flexibility. This deal with BritBox will add more exciting content to our great range of TV services for customers whether they’re watching at home or on the go.”

Samsung will be the first TV to launch the BritBox app. The two companies have agreed to a co-marketing partnership that will see BritBox featured as a “Recommended App” on Samsung Smart TVs and joint marketing activity taking place in Q4.

Guy Kinnell, VP of TV and AV at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We have an ongoing commitment to providing the greatest experience to our customers, including offering the best range of apps currently available. BritBox provides a new way to access the best of British content exactly whenever they want which consumers can experience on Samsung before any other Smart TV platform.”

Reemah Sakaan, group director of ITV SVOD, commented: “BritBox is all about bringing together the best of British creativity and talent in a new digital world. Today’s launch and announcement of our partnership deals with Channel 4 and BT underline the quality and scale we want the service to embody. It’s wonderful to be bringing such a wealth of brilliant British TV and film to subscribers from today, and I’m looking forward to revealing our exciting, original commissions in the near future.”