BRITBOX DIGITAL SERVICE TO LAUNCH IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2021

BBC Studios and ITV announce that their joint streaming venture BritBox will launch in South Africa in the second half of 2021. The ad-free subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming service will expand into its fifth worldwide territory, following successful launches in the US & Canada, the UK and, most recently, Australia.

Last year BritBox announced a global roll out plan which would see the platform active in up to 25 new countries, bringing audiences an unrivalled collection of great British TV shows and the very best in British box sets, drama premieres and live events, as well as original commissions.

Both BBC and ITV have a strong existing relationship with South African TV audiences, with a high demand for British content already witnessed through linear channels ITV Choice and BBC First; the launch of BritBox in South Africa will enable consumers to retain access to their favourite British dramas following the recent closure of both TV channels. 

Martin Goswami, Group Strategic Partnership and Distribution Director at ITV, said: “The launch of BritBox in South Africa is yet another step in the platform’s trajectory towards international expansion. We’re delighted to bring the service to a brand new territory and continue towards establishing BritBox as a premium VOD brand across the world.”

Paul Dempsey, President, Global Distribution, BBC Studios, said: “We know that South African audiences have a real connection to British television and we can’t wait to bring  them even more great shows, on demand, that we know they will love.”

BritBox first launched in North America in March 2017, and announced it had surpassed 1.5 million subscribers in October 2020. In the UK, BritBox launched in November 2019, followed by Australia in November 2020.

Operating as a 50/50 venture between BBC Studios and ITV, the South Africa service will utilise the teams and the technology behind the successful launches of BritBox in its existing territories.