BritBox adds C5, Comedy Central to slate

BBC and ITV joint venture streaming service BritBox has struck a deal with Viacom-owned Channel 5 and Comedy Central to bring their content to the platform ahead of its UK launch.

The deal will add factual and entertainment content from Channel 5 as well as British comedies from Comedy Central UK on to the BritBox catalogue from the service’s launch.

However, box-sets from Channel 5 will only appear on Britbox following a 30-day catch-up window on Channel 5’s own streaming service My5.

Reemah Sakaan, group launch director for ITV SVoD, said: “Another British public service broadcaster is joining BritBox, ensuring that we offer viewers the very best of British creativity across a variety of genres.”

Arran Tindall, senior VP of commercial and content distribution at Viacom International Media Networks, added: “Under Viacom’s ownership we have significantly increased Channel 5’s investment in original UK content and we’re delighted to bring our popular homegrown content to an even wider audience through BritBox, alongside a selection of Comedy Central’s much-loved UK programming.”

The deal will add more content to BritBox’s slate, which includes Victoria, Happy Valley, Broadchurch, Les Miserables, Downton Abbey, Love Island, Famalam, Cleaning Up, Gentleman Jack, Gavin & Stacey, The Office and Benidorm. The shows will appear on the service either at launch or shortly after prior licence agreements with other SVoDs end.

BritBox will be available for £5.99 per month when it launches in the UK later this year following its previous debut in the US. Meanwhile, a row with UK producers association Pact about windowing of content between the service and BBC’s iPlayer is rumbling on.