Maybe they're drop the +1 channels first (except maybe the main one), and go from there?
As other posters have mentioned, VoD is much more widely used compared to when these channels first launched.
That would seem better than scrapping a non timeshift channel
I can't see ITV Hub and BritBox merging, they're different services serving different purposes. It'd be like ViacomCBS merging Pluto TV and CBS All Access/Paramount+
I can't see ITV Hub and BritBox merging, they're different services serving different purposes. It'd be like ViacomCBS merging Pluto TV and CBS All Access/Paramount+
It's not without precedent though for a broadcaster to merge a catch-up service with a video on demand service. Isn't that what NBC's Peacock is? The base version is free but with a tiered pay offering depending on the content you want to access.
Inevitable surely they'll be some consolidation down the line with the numerous on demand services - tbh I wouldn't be surprised if the ITV Hub outlives ITV's ownership of BritBox.
Brttbox's ownership structure all but knocks an ITV Hub merger on the head. Keeping the recent post iPlayer BBC content on a 'key' advertising supported platform in the UK, would be damn near impossible without treading on all sorts of legal eggshells.
I should say, I do get pretty hyped when I hear about major corporate restructurings like this. Whilst the future of the digital channels is undoubtedly up in the air, I look forward to seeing how it plays out, especially when they’re prioritising streaming (much like WarnerMedia and Disney have recently).
No more really to this story than there was to the BBC scrapping their news bulletins a couple of months back. Just an insider or two saying that in time the linear channels may be reviewed and it being taken that ITV2/3/4 are closing next week.
Well, indeed, and in the Guardian report, Carolyn McCall actually says "Linear channels will be around and be profitable for many years".
I always say that any predictions of the downfall of linear TV are way too premature. It will reduce eventually, but not for a long time to come yet. As catch-up and VOD services become more popular, the first channels to succumb will be the +1s. But the main channels will probably exist for a long time to come. Live programming will become the main focus of linear TV and ITV4 are one of the best placed channels to justify their existence in some form or another for a long time to come. ITV2 and ITV3 will need to change and adapt to this new future, but I see them doing that as well.
Indeed, it's channels like Discovery's family of channels and the various UKTV channels that will have the most difficulty adapting to the new model of television incoming.
ITV2 and ITV3 will need to change and adapt to this new future, but I see them doing that .
I thought ITV3 was/still is the most watched digital channel after the main 5 channels. ITV2 held this title for many years before ITV3 overtook but still is not that far behind. No chance ITV will be shutting them down anytime soon.
More minor channels like 5Select, 4Seven, Blaze etc are likely to bite the dust long before the most watched digital channel ITV3 is pulled of air.