I honestly didn't know this before my previous reply...
RX:TV - No more originals for BritBox UK
This is also being reported on Broadcast:
BritBox UK has called a halt on original commissioning ahead of the launch of ITV’s next-generation digital video service ITVX.
The service is being folded into ITVX, due to launch in Q4, where it will retain its standalone brand and archive of programming. It will seek to strike more licensing deals but will no longer order originations.
The SVoD launched as a BBC / ITV-owned proposition in November 2019 and went on to order 18, predominantly scripted, originals including Spitting Image, Magpie Murders and The Beast Must Die. Meanwhile, the second series of Irvine Welsh’s police procedural Crime will be made available via ITVX, ahead of a linear launch, pointing to ITV’s SVoD strategy after it bought out the BBC’s minority stake.
Meanwhile shows ordered as BritBox UK originals including Snowed-In Productions and Clearwood Films’ Stonehouse and ITV Studios / Sony Picture Television’s A Spy Among Friends will now launch via ITVX.
Managing director of BritBox UK Will Harrison departed earlier this month and will not be replaced, with his responsibility for the service handed to ITV managing director of streaming Rufus Radcliffe.
A spokeswoman said that BritBox International, headed by chief exec Reemah Sakaan, remains unaffected.
“BritBox UK will have no more originals,” said the spokeswoman. “BritBox International is an entirely different business and it will not be impacted by these changes and will continue to have originals.”
As part of its annual results, ITV revealed that the £5.99 per-month BritBox UK grew by over 45% year-on-year to 733,000 subscribers. Churn rate has halved since its launch, with distribution deals agreed with partners including Amazon Prime Video and Xbox.
BritBox International has 2.4m subscribers, with ITV predicting 10-12m subscribers by 2030.
