HBO Max is crossing the Pond in a new promotional pact with BritBox, the streamer specializing in U.K. TV dramas, comedies and murder mysteries.
From Aug. 1 through Sept. 29, HBO Max in the U.S. will feature a sampling of 15 of BritBox series, at no additional cost to HBO Max subscribers. The shows will be presented on HBO Max through a dedicated in app rail called “The Best of British TV by BritBox.” The lineup includes the original U.K. version of Ricky Gervais’ “The Office” mocku-series and the first two seasons of “Luther” starring Idris Elba.
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Financial terms aren’t being disclosed, but the deal is being described as mutually beneficial. The goal for BritBox is to get HBO Max customers interested enough to sign up for the British TV streamer, which costs $8.99/month or $89.99/year. It’s the first such pop-up programming partnership for BritBox, which is owned by BBC Studios. BritBox distribution partners for the HBO Max deal include BBC Studios, Banijay and Agatha Christie Ltd.
HBO Max (which switched its name back from Max earlier this month) has done this sort of thing before: In 2023, the service offered a sampling of AMC+ programming for no extra charge in a two-month run.
“We’re continually looking for creative ways to bring more high-quality storytelling to our HBO Max audience,” Joshua Walker, CFO and chief strategy officer of streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, said in a statement. “This BritBox sampling gives our subscribers a chance to discover a variety of great British television series featuring rich, distinctive stories.”
BritBox president Robert Schildhouse commented: “HBO Max viewers seek premium entertainment they can’t get anywhere else. Through this partnership, we are excited to offer them a premium collection of distinctly British series to complement their viewing experience, including acclaimed series, fan-favorite franchises, standout performances from celebrated talent, and exceptional storytelling across mystery, crime, drama and comedy.”
Here are the 15 BritBox shows coming to HBO Max for a limited time:
“Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy”
“Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero”
“Blue Lights” Seasons 1-2
“Father Brown” Seasons 1-2
“Luther” (Season 1, Aug. 1-30; Season 2 Aug. 31-Sept. 29)
“Shakespeare & Hathaway” Season 1-2
“Sherwood” Season 1 (Aug. 1-30)
“Silent Witness,” Seasons 26-27
“Sister Boniface” Seasons 1-2
“The Inspector Lynley Mysteries” Seasons 1-2
“The Office” Seasons 1-2 and “The Office Christmas Specials” Parts 1-2
“The Sixth Commandment”
“Three Little Birds”
“Time” (Season 1, Aug. 1-30; Season 2 Aug. 31-Sept. 29)
“Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?”
BritBox was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between ITV and BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the British broadcaster. In 2022, ITV bought out the BBC’s share of BritBox U.K. ahead of the launch of streamer ITVX and last year BBC Studios acquired ITV‘s 50% stake in BritBox International. The international version of BritBox is available in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the Nordics.
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