Robert Schildhouse, formerly the head of BritBox, has been elevated to the Chief Executive Officer position for BBC Studios' direct-to-consumer division. This strategic move aims to integrate BritBox North America and BBC Select under a unified leadership, fostering a more cohesive approach to streaming operations and realizing greater efficiencies. The promotion underscores Schildhouse's significant contributions and successful tenure, particularly in driving subscriber growth and revenue for BBC Studios' digital platforms.
The integration of BBC Select, a documentary streaming service from BBC Studios, under Schildhouse's purview last year marked a pivotal step. This consolidation was designed to streamline the company's streaming efforts, allowing for a more concentrated strategy and achieving economies of scale. As a direct result of this restructuring, BBC Select has emerged as the third-largest documentary streaming platform in the United States, showcasing the efficacy of the unified leadership approach.
During his leadership at BritBox, Schildhouse oversaw numerous impactful projects that contributed significantly to the streamer's success. Notable among these were original productions like 'The Other Bennet Sister' and the highly anticipated 'Agatha Christie's Tommy & Tuppence,' starring Imelda Staunton. These projects not only enriched BritBox's content library but also played a crucial role in attracting and retaining a loyal subscriber base.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Schildhouse acknowledged the remarkable growth journey of both BritBox and BBC Select. He emphasized his excitement for the future, committing to further build upon the current momentum and dedicatedly serve the fervent admirers of British storytelling across North America.
Tom Fussell, the CEO of BBC Studios, lauded Schildhouse's promotion as a testament to his exceptional leadership. Fussell highlighted the strategic importance of North America for the direct-to-consumer operations and its crucial role in BBC Studios' future expansion and investment plans. He further noted BritBox's outstanding performance since its acquisition by BBC Studios in 2024, attributing significant revenue growth and a strong subscriber base to its success.
Fussell elaborated on BritBox's enhanced position as the premier destination for British content enthusiasts in North America, especially following the introduction of BritBox Premier last year. He also commended BBC Select for rapidly establishing itself as a unique service, catering to North American audiences seeking high-quality factual programming imbued with the distinctive BBC hallmark, thereby distinguishing itself in a competitive market.
This executive transition signifies a crucial period for BBC Studios' global streaming ambitions. The combined strength of BritBox and BBC Select, under unified leadership, is poised to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. The focus remains on delivering premium British content to a growing international audience, further solidifying BBC Studios' presence in the dynamic streaming landscape.