BritBox free on BT; Sriraman steps down
October 6, 2020
As previously reported, BT is offering its TV and broadband customers a six months free subscription to BritBox.
The SVoD service from the BBC and ITV offers a library of classic British-skewed box sets and movies, with titles such as The Office, Downton Abbey, Top Gear and Doctor Who. The platform also launched its first original commission, a reboot of satirical puppet show Spitting Image, last week.
The free offer is available to new and existing BT customers from October 6th. After the six-month period ends, customers will be able to pay £5.99 per month directly through their BT bill should they wish to keep the service.
Sharon Meadows, Director of Propositions at BT, said: “There’s never been a better time to sign up to BritBox and for our TV and broadband customers the next six months are on us. We could all do with a little entertainment right now and what could be better than indulging in some of the most iconic British dramas, comedies and films?”.
Tom Price, BritBox’s Commercial Director, added: “It’s fantastic that BT is making it even easier for their customers to join BritBox, and with this new offer there’s no reason not to give it a try and experience brand-new Spitting Image alongside the best collection of amazing British box sets, films and theatre.”
Meanwhile, BritBox has also announced that Soumya Sriraman has decided to step down as BritBox President & CEO for US and Canada, effective at the end of this month. New leadership for the service will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sriraman was a key architect in building and launching BritBox, which has seen significant success – marking 1.5 million subscribers to date.
In a joint executive statement, Rebecca Glashow, President, BBC Studios – Americas, and Martin Goswami, Group Strategic Partnership and Distribution Director, ITV, said: “Soumya is a trailblazer. Her experience, leadership, and thorough knowledge of British content has been the perfect fit for BritBox. We thank Soumya for her passion and commitment in leading the BritBox team and shaping the service into what it is today.”
“I have enjoyed writing every minute of the BritBox story – from imagining it six years ago to building and growing it! I am so proud of my team who has worked tirelessly to exceed all expectations. I am grateful to the leadership at the BBC and ITV for their stewardship on this journey and I now look forward to my next chapter,” added Sriraman.
Previously, Sriraman served as Executive Vice President of Franchise and Digital Enterprises at BBC Studios – Americas, where she expanded consumer-facing activities for key BBC brands including Doctor Who and BBC Earth.