BritBox becomes the exclusive home for BBC dramas including Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife, and Silent Witness in Australia.
From July 31st, 2024, BritBox will become the exclusive streaming destination in Australia for several popular BBC Studios dramas, including fan favourites Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife, and Silent Witness.
The decision follows the removal of all BBC First content from Foxtel and BINGE. As previously exclusively revealed by this website, BBC content-filled channels BBC Earth, BBC News, CBeebies, and BBC First – along with all programming available as video on demand (VOD) – will be removed from all Foxtel and BINGE platforms from 31 July.
In addition to these established series, BritBox will also debut The Jetty, a new crime thriller featuring Jenna Coleman. The series, set in a haunting lakeside town, explores themes of arson, a cold case involving a missing person, and a complex love triangle.
Created by Cat Jones and produced by BBC Studios’ independent production label Firebird Pictures, the four-part mystery delves into issues such as sexual morality, age of consent, grooming, identity, and memory. The Jetty is currently airing in the UK, where it has been lauded as reminiscent of Happy Valley.
BritBox continues to enhance its offering as the premier platform for British drama and comedy. The service will exclusively introduce Don Gilet (known for roles in Sherwood, EastEnders, and Shetland) as the new lead detective in Death in Paradise.
Gilet’s character, Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, arrives on the picturesque island of Saint Marie from London, bringing a fresh dynamic to the series. He is set to make his debut in a feature-length Christmas special, with a new season following in early 2025.
The move to bolster the content offering comes after the BBC became the sole owner of the Britbox Australia earlier this year, the streaming platform was previously a joint venture with ITV.
Sarah Kenny, Head of Content and Editorial for BritBox and Branded Services in Australia and New Zealand, commented on the acquisitions:
“These shows resonate deeply with Australian audiences, and with additional exclusive titles like The Jetty, they will further drive BritBox’s growth. I’m thrilled that BritBox will now be the premier home for these iconic British dramas.”
Moira Hogan, EVP of BritBox International and General Manager Australia, added:
“As a streaming service dedicated to British TV, we’re excited to add these beloved BBC shows to our line-up of new releases.”
Sarah Kenny’s Expanded Role
In her expanded role, Sarah Kenny will now oversee programming and acquisitions for BBC Studios’ local channels, in addition to her BritBox responsibilities. She will report to both Moira Hogan and Fiona Lang, General Manager of BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand.
Fiona Lang expressed her support for the new structure:
“I’m delighted that Sarah will combine her editorial duties across our channel portfolio with her BritBox role. This allows BBC Studios to adopt a unified approach to content strategy, particularly following our recent full acquisition of BritBox International.
Shows like Death in Paradise, Call The Midwife, and Silent Witness consistently topped ratings on BBC First, and their move to BritBox, alongside the premiere of The Jetty, marks a significant evolution in our business strategy.”
What about Beyond Paradise?
Not happy
This is so annoying