BritBox unwraps Christmas plans

Britbox will make detective drama Maigret available to subscribers

North American streamer BritBox is to air a range of Christmas-themed UK shows on the service from the beginning of December including originals, exclusive premieres and live broadcasts.

The SVoD platform, created by UK pubcaster subsidiary BBC Studios and commercial broadcaster ITV, offers exclusively UK programming to US and Canadian audiences.

Among the line-up for its ‘12 Joys of Britmas’ will be the North American exclusive premieres of cookery show Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites, season two of detective series Maigret, comedies Mrs Brown’s Boys and Hold the Sunset Christmas specials.

Holiday specials of gameshows, soaps and annual programming such as the Queen’s Christmas Message, Would I Lie to You, Emmerdale and Casualty will also be on offer. Other US exclusives include EastEnders, Coronation Street, Upstart Crow Christmas special, and family movies: Mr Stink, A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Snow Queen.

Additionally, the streamer will be showcasing original programming such as slow TV The Lights Before Christmas: Luminous London, a tour of the world-famous Christmas light display in central London, and Carols from Kings – A celebration of Christmas from The Chapel of King’s College at the University of Cambridge.

Click & Collect, a holiday film starring Stephen Merchant (Ricky Gervais Show) and Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), will also make its North American premiere on the service. It follows antagonistic neighbours who end up taking a road trip to find the perfect gift for Merchant’s daughter.

Other shows include: food series Marco Pierre White’s Great British Feast, Nigellissima and Hairy Bikers Christmas Party; theatre-themed shows Shakespeare in Italy and a production of Midsomer Night’s Dream; scripted shows: Christmas Lights, City Lights, Billionaire Boy, A Christmas Carol and Dickensian; and travel programmes Mary Berry’s Country House Secret, Further Tales from Northumberland, Around the World in 80 Treasures and All Aboard.