The BBC and ITV have confirmed plans to launch a new online streaming platform to rival the likes of Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
BritBox, to which we will undoubtedly assign the nickname ShitBox, will predominantly serve as an archive of BBC and ITV shows. Original content will also be commissioned exclusively for the new platform, which will launch before the end of 2019. Unlike Amazon and Netflix, BritBox will have content specifically targeted towards UK viewers.
There are currently no details about the cost of BritBox, but the BBC and ITV have said the new platform will be competitively priced for the market.
The BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub will remain largely unchanged, allowing viewers to access current programmes on-demand.
Despite having badgered the Government into closing the so-called iPlayer loophole, the BBC is still very concerned about evolving viewer habits.
Of primary concern is the sharp increase in non-linear viewing, whereby people watch non-BBC on-demand programmes at a time of their choosing. Viewing non-BBC on-demand content in that manner does not legally require a TV licence, so reduces the main source of revenue for the BBC.
ITV has pledged to invest up to £65m in the joint-venture over the next two years. The BBC would not comment on whether the publicly funded broadcaster was putting a similar amount of money into the project.
The decision means British broadcasters are likely to stop licensing their archive material to services such as Netflix in a bid to drive subscribers to the new UK service, which will operate on a fraction of the budget of its deep-pocketed US rivals.
ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "It's complimentary to Netflix because it's doing a very different thing.
"When we're commissioning content we're looking at it working in the UK specifically. It is a permanent, comprehensive home for the widest range of British content available in one place."
The BBC director general, Tony Hall, said the streaming service would be "truly special".
"A new streaming service delivering the best homegrown 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."
The last time the BBC tried a subscription service, BBC Select, it fell flat on its arse within the space of 2 years. Given the BBC's institutional inability to learn from its own mistakes, it's likely BritBox will go the same way.
With Amazon and Netflix having such dominance in the existing market, it's difficult to imagine many people signing up to watch archive BBC and ITV footage. Let's be honest - they get enough repeats of Dad's Army and The Avengers on BBC Two and Four as it is.
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Wonder if the BBC will insist subscribers will need a TV Licence to view this platform, a sort of first step to trying to get Amazon Prime and Netflix into the TV Licensing net?
ReplyDeleteDoes the BBC and ITV actually make anything of any worth any more? Television and comedy has become so dumbed down by political correctness that its become worthless, it doesn't represent real life because of the constrictions placed on it and comedians are gagged, so anything that is broadcast on the Brit Box of any worth will probably be over twenty years old.
ReplyDeleteDuring the sixties and seventies, the BBC was undoubtedly the best television channel in the world, it would broadcast most things, regardless of any content being offensive or not, it would then let the viewer decide and they would televise it and be damned but now its nothing but a liberal club with its own agenda and the 'British' in the name should be removed as it doesn't reflect Britain in anything it does anymore.
With a bit of luck, after Britbox fails in an attempt to recoup some of the vast amount they will end up spending they will sell off all their content to Netflix and/or Amazon. There are precedents for this (Audible bought up content in this way, for example.)
ReplyDeleteSo it could be a Good Thing in the end...!
Most of the popular TV shows from the past have been uploaded to Youtube anyway. You don't need a licence to watch Youtube.
ReplyDelete