ITV launches ‘ITV Essentials’ in Europe

ITV has launched ITV Essentials, an international subscription service giving expats and holidaymakers the opportunity to watch their favourite ITV soaps, while abroad.

The service, created in partnership with specialists in the management and delivery of OTT solutions, Saffron Digital, is available in 12 European territories for a monthly subscription of EUR 5.49 at www.itvessentials.co.uk.

ITV Essentials will stream all episodes of Britain’s favourite soaps – Coronation Street and Emmerdale – without ads and will include a 30 day catch up window. The service will initially be Wifi only.

ITV Essentials is part of ITV’s ongoing strategy to test new business models and deliver content to viewers in new and exciting ways as well as to drive new revenue streams by exploiting content across multiple platforms.

ITV’s Controller of Pay and Distribution, Neale Dennett, said: “This is a landmark deal for ITV. We are thrilled that we can now deliver the UK’s favourite soaps to the millions of British fans living and visiting abroad. In Saffron Digital we have found the perfect partner to bring these ambitions to life.”

Using its MainStage video platform, Saffron Digital has designed and developed the service for simultaneous launch in the 12 different territories. The end to end solution which includes DRM, a secure player, international geo blocking and filtering, as well as payment and subscription management, will enable ITV to deliver a seamless experience to its viewers throughout Europe.

Contributed by ITV Essentials