There’s no better example of the power of BBC Studios-owned streamer BritBox than the British crime drama Lynley. This is a rare case where a British TV series was produced by a US-specific platform and then became a hit with traditional British audiences.
“This is a show that we believed in and embraced very early on,” BBC Studios direct sales CEO Robert Schildhouse told Jennifer Maas, senior business writer for TV and video games, on Friday’s episode of the variety show podcast Strictly Business. “And it’s very rare that we would think about picking a show and commissioning a show when we’re not partnering with a British broadcaster. And that’s been a success for us.”
Lynley, starring Leo Souter as the titular DI Tommy Lynley and Sophia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers, premiered on Britbox in the US last September and achieved such impressive viewership that it was not only renewed for a second season on Britbox, but also began airing on BBC One in the UK for season one in January.
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For Schildhouse, who was recently promoted to a role overseeing streaming activities from North America for Britbox as well as BBC Select and future BBC Studios, this is a sign of how well his team has done their job of telling British stories.
Robert Schildhaus/Britbox
Philip Angert
“We really see ourselves as ambassadors of British culture in a way,” Mr Schildhouse said. “We truly believe that we are the primary route for bringing British television into the US and North American markets. As the Brits say, we write ourselves on the tin. We are Britbox. No other streaming service says exactly who they are. So we have a responsibility for that content, and we have a responsibility to be its ambassadors and to build a bridge between British television and the viewers who will love it now and in the future. And that’s our role.” We take it very seriously. ”
“Strictly Business” is Variety’s weekly podcast featuring conversations with industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. (Click here to subscribe to our free newsletter.) New episodes are published every Wednesday and available for download on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, and more.
