BBC Studios, the principal commercial arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster, are to launch the BritBox streaming service in Australia later this year.

The ad-free subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service will bring more British TV shows to Australia and the 50/50 joint venture will draw on the experience of the teams and technology that launched BritBox in North America and the UK, but will also recruit a local team.

“There‘s a real opportunity to build on the momentum and brand that has been established in North America and to make BritBox part of BBC Studios’ future strategy in Australia,” suggested Fiona Lang, General Manager for BBC Studios ANZ. “Complementing our existing partnerships in the region, BritBox will draw on our vast combined catalogue of acclaimed British content and will deliver it directly to Australian audiences via a proven and seamless streaming service.”