The new streaming service from ITV is to add hundreds of hours of anime and true crime content after striking two new content deals.
The deal with Glasgow-based Anime Ltd, the largest independent anime licensor in the UK will give ITVX access to over 200 hours of unique anime television series.
Meanwhile, a separate deal with the CBS AMC UK Channel Partnership will see ITVX showcase true crime programmes from CBS Reality. At launch, 200 hours of programmes will be available in the ITVX content library. This will grow by a further 50 hours in 2023.
Both Anime and CBS Reality content will be available in the ad-supported free-to-view tier of ITVX.
Both deals are ad-revenue sharing deals: In return for making their content available on ITVX, both Anime and CBS Reality will share the advertising income with ITV. ITV has indicated it intends to bring other third-party content on to the platform using the same funding model.
Anime on ITVX
The collection will include…
- Escaflowne,
- Lupin III Part 6,
- Megalobox,
- Cowboy Bebop,
- Gunbuster
CBS Reality on ITVX
The collection will include…
- Descent of a Serial Killer, a four part series presented by renowned investigative journalist and criminologist Donal MacIntyre,
- The Real Prime Suspect hosted by former detective Jackie Malton, the inspiration behind acclaimed drama series Prime Suspect (two series),
- New Scotland Yard Files,
- Medical Detectives (also known as “Forensic Files”) (three series)
ITVX is launching this autumn and will replace the free streaming service ITV Hub and the premium ITV Hub+ and BritBox UK. The exact launch date and pricing for the premium tier is still under wraps.
It will be the home of all of ITV’s catch-up and on-demand programmes, plus movies and more.
Earlier this year, ITV announced ITVX would launch with over 9,000 hours of programmes. But the ITVX Anime and CBS Reality deal, plus any new third-party deals puts the service in line to exceed 10,000 hours of content in its library.
Corporate responses
ITV’s Director of Content Partnerships, Streaming, Laura Franses said:
“We are delighted to announce our first wave of deals with Anime Ltd and CBS AMC Networks UK Channels Partnership for True Crime UK from CBS Reality – with more to follow. These deals herald a new business model and opening up of the ITVX platform enabling us to bring hundreds of hours of 3rd party content to new and existing ITVX users”.
Andrew Partridge, president and CEO of Anime Ltd. said:
“We could not be more pleased than to team up with ITV in our efforts to share world-class Japanese animation with new audiences and lifelong fans across the United Kingdom. With a diverse lineup of anime from some of the most impressive minds in television and film, ITVX promises to be an essential destination for anyone interested in the medium.”
Tanya Gugenheim, SVP, Business Development for AMC Networks International UK, commented:
“We are excited to work with ITV on this landmark deal, through which CBS Reality’s most popular true crime programmes will reach an even wider audience. Our new AVOD service True Crime UK from CBS Reality underscores our commitment to showcasing expert-led critically-acclaimed factual entertainment to audiences in the UK and beyond.”
Aidan Smith, editor, RXTV