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CMS advises BBC on transformational partnership with ITV to launch BritBox streaming service in UK

19 July 2019

International law firm CMS has advised the BBC on its strategic partnership with ITV to launch BritBox, a new streaming service for UK audiences offering access to the best of British TV.

BritBox is already operating successfully in North America, with over half a million subscribers. In the UK it will offer audiences an unrivalled collection of British boxsets and original series on demand, all in one place, providing:

  • The biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service
  • Brand new commissions for British production companies specifically created for BritBox

The UK service is set to launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

CMS partners Selina Potter and Simon Morgan advised the BBC group on the partnership. Selina Potter comments: “We are thrilled to have supported our longstanding client on this exciting partnership with ITV. It has been fascinating working with the BBC as they continue to reshape their public service and commercial offerings to UK audiences to move with an evolving market.”

The CMS team also included Mark Joscelyne, Sarah Wilson and Rebecca Platt.

This latest announcement follows in quick succession to BBC Studios’ landmark agreements with Discovery in which CMS also represented BBC Studios. Those deals comprised the multi-million pound takeover by BBC Studios of seven UKTV channels; a global content partnership to power a new global streaming service; and a bespoke development deal for the BBC’s iconic documentaries.