BritBox Australia unveils platform revamp with three new curated channels

BBC Studios-owned BritBox Australia has unveiled its most significant upgrade since launching in 2020 with expanded content across three new channels.

Moira Hogan

Chris Pavlich

The trio of newly launched live channels – BBC First, BBC Entertain, and BBC Select – are curated by the BritBox team and deliver a 24-hour live stream of drama, lifestyle and comedy, and documentaries.

The platform revamp also includes a user experience interface upgrade allowing for more discoverable content. Under the new interface viewers have the option to switch between a streamed channel or watch on-demand.

The UK-centric platform is also expanding its exclusive content offerings including the additions of Mammoth Screen Productions’ new Agatha Christie adaptations Towards Zero, Outrageous, Fear and Death Valley in addition to returning series Shetland, The Bay, The Cleaner, Professor T and Karen Pirie.

BritBox is the home of Australian first runs for series such as Call The Midwife and Death in Paradise and Moira Hogan, the platform’s Australia GM and executive VP of international markets, says she is actively seeking new content partnerships as it moves into a new phase of growth.

Hogan said the platform refresh was a response to growing demand from subscribers for more content, particularly fast-tracked UK series, comedies and high-end dramas.

“Audiences are seeking quality storytelling, world-class production, and authentic characters. Shows that can take viewers on a journey, perhaps provide an escape, start a conversation or change of perspective,” said Hogan.

The expanded content offering and new user interface is live from this month and will feature premieres of Shetland season nine, Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero and Mandy from comedienne Diane Morgan. Prices are also rising from A$9.99 p/month and A$99.99 annually (US$6.45 p/month & US64.58) to A$13.99 p/month and A$139.99 annually.

Competition in the crowded Australian streaming market is pushing platform’s to accelerate their niche offerings, according to the Telsyte Australian Subscription Entertainment Study 2024, Britbox has shown the fastest growth in the full year to June 2024.