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ITV sells 50% BritBox share to BBC

Launched jointly by BBC and ITV in 2017, BritBox is now fully owned by BBC.

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BBC Studios, the BBC’s commercial content studio and media & streaming business, has taken full ownership of BritBox International, acquiring ITV’s 50% share for £255 million (A$495m).

Launched jointly by BBC Studios and ITV in 2017, BritBox International is the leading British specialist streaming service, delivering high quality British scripted content, the service has surpassed 3.75 million subscribers. It is is available in eight countries -USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden- with hits include Archie, Death in Paradise, Father Brown, Line of Duty, Sherwood and Shetland.

Tom Fussell, BBC Studios CEO said: “This is an important acquisition for us. We are taking full ownership of a successful, growing service we know well and that fits with our stated ambition to double the size of our business. Britbox International has British content at its heart and it generates and satisfies demand for British shows outside the UK. We will continue to make significant investments in the future to deliver long term value to the BBC.”

Carolyn McCall, ITV CEO said: “The sale of 50% of BritBox International means ITV is focused on its core strategic goals of continuing to build on ITVX’s success and growing ITV Studios.”

BritBox International will become part of BBC Studios’ Global Media and Streaming division.

Rebecca Glashow, BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming CEO said: “I am thrilled to further our involvement in BritBox International – it’s a profitable business and a winning proposition. We see tremendous opportunity to grow this unique service and take it to even greater heights for its subscribers, with the full power of the BBC behind it.”

Following BritBox International’s move into BBC Studios’ Global Media & Streaming division, its global CEO Reemah Sakaan is stepping down.

As part of the transaction, BBC Studios has also extended its licensing agreements for ITV content.

2 Responses

  1. ITV took BBC for a ride – it was never going to work and britbox can not compete showing what is basically free to air shows, for a price – Plus they now have to pay ITV to host ITV shows on Britbox – BBC management needs a summons to the office for a hauling over the coals

  2. ITV has bailed because it isn’t making them money. BBC now has all of Britbox, UKTV, BBC First here sells content on open market and an output deal with the ABC. It will be interesting to see how they juggle all that.

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