Britbox’s head of content and editorial, Sarah Kenny, is expanding her role to add programming and acquisition responsibilities for BBC Studios’ local channels to her existing BritBox responsibilities.
Kenny will dual report to Moira Hogan and Fiona Lang, general managers for BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand.
Lang said: “I’m delighted that Sarah will be combining editorial responsibilities for our channel portfolio with her existing BritBox role, allowing BBC Studios to take a holistic approach to content across these services.
BritBox has also acquired four new shows from BBC Studios with the streamer picking up Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife and Silent Witness when BBC First exits Foxtel and Binge on 31 July.
BritBox will also premiere The Jetty – a new crime thriller starring Jenna Coleman set in a lakeside town where an arson, a missing persons cold case, and an illicit triangle are intertwined. The series is written and created by Cat Jones and produced by BBC Studios independent production label Firebired Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
“Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife and Silent Witness regularly topped the ratings for BBC First during their time on the channel and their move to BritBox, together with the premiere of The Jetty, is an important step in the evolution of our business as we pursue a truly integrated content strategy following BBC Studios acquisition of 100% of BritBox International earlier this year,” Lang added.
Kenny said the acquired shows have a “huge resonance with Australian audiences.”
“Together with other exciting new and exclusive titles like The Jetty, [it] will drive further growth for BritBox,” she said.
“We are also acquiring more of the most recent seasons of these titles as we build up our collections. I’m so pleased that BritBox will now be the premiere home of these iconic British dramas.”
Moira Hogan, EVP BritBox international and general manager Australia added: “As a specialty streaming service aiming to super-serve fans of quality British TV, we are thrilled to add this trio of much-loved BBC shows to our stable of premiere new releases.”