Joint PSB Streaming Service

Hello,

Sadly, I don't have access to Broadcast but I noticed this when having a quick browse:

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/ofcom-signals-clear-path-for-joint-psb-streaming-service/5129166.article

Does anyone have any more information? (No, please don't post the article without permission from Broadcast).

I also don't have access, but presumably it's what this article is talking about

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/07/bbc-itv-and-channel-4-in-talks-to-create-uk-streaming-service-combat-netflix-amazon

Basically BBC, ITV, C4 and NBCUniversal are in talks to create a joint streaming service to combat Netflix and Amazon.

In 2007, BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 (C5 later pulled out) attempted to launch something called 'Project Kangaroo', which would allow you to download shows past the then 7 day catch up window of iPlayer (presumably forever). Two years later, it still hadn't launched before the competition commission blocked it because of fears it would become a monopoly. Now with Netflix and Amazon as competitors hopefully something like that can actually launch. And hopefully it will include archive shows as well.

Two years ago, BBC & ITV launched a service called BritBox in the US. It was hoped that it would come over here too, but it hasn't yet.

Interesting that Channel 5 or its parent company Viacom isn't involved at all.

Currently older ITV content is on Netflix or Now TV depending on the shows. My guess is they want to do a Disney and bring their content together as a collective company with BBC Worldwide and C4 where they can transfer the older streaming rights to this new service instead of Netflix/Amazon/Now TV acquiring the rights.

I guess Netflix and Amazon have so much clout that they can offer much less for such shows now, especially now they've built up their own library.

Looking back at Kangaroo, they didn't see what was coming. When Netflix and Amazon Prime have managed to seize a larger audience than the iPlayer in this day and age, it's a sign that the PSBs need to radically push stronger competition in the on-demand TV space.

When did they actually pull out though? Was it before Viacom took charge? Perhaps the new overlords may have different opinions on the project than their predecessors?

On French forums, I saw rumours about France•tv joining such a joint service; not sure about that though.

A combined app VOD service would make it more likely to be added to more devices. For example, Android TV has France.tv, but not MyTF1, nor 6play (M6).