Popular video streaming service from the BBC and ITV called ‘BritBox’, has officially been launched in the U.S. The $6.99 monthly subscription gives users access to a huge library of past BBC and ITV-produced series, including shows like Fawlty Towers, Prime Suspect, Absolutely Fabulous and much more. The service will also offer various fresh episodes of British soaps and dramas as little as 24 hours after their U.K. broadcast (via Variety).
BritBox will feature the U.S. series premiere of dramas New Blood from writer Anthony Horowitz, and Tutankhamun from writer Guy Burt, as well as the season premieres of drama favorites Cold Feet and Silent Witness. Blackadder with Rowan Atkinson, the original version of The Office with Ricky Gervais, Gavin & Stacey with James Corden, and Absolutely Fabulous with Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, will also be available.
BBC Worldwide and ITV decided to join forces for their American streaming service in December, with AMC Networks — already a partner with BBC Worldwide through its 49.9% ownership in BBC America — taking a minority stake. BritBox will theoretically compete with RLJ Entertainment’s Acorn TV SVOD service, which since 2011 has offered a fairly wide array of British series like “Poirot” for the price of $4.99 a month, or $49.99 for a year.
BritBox has been launched in the U.S. on web, AppleTV, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, and will be available on Roku and Chromecast shortly as well.
