BookMyShow Stream is collaborating with BBC Studios to launch a ‘BBC First’ widget on the platform. The content partnership brings compelling British drama series like Sherwood, Ragdoll and the first series of Unforgoten to BookMyShow stream, on-demand transactional video on the ticketing website and app. Users will be able to access premium titles through the new BBC First Space, allowing for rental or purchase, which you can then stream. Details on the availability period are sparse. But as per the existing rules, shows should be accessible for two months, with each episode getting a limit of three days from the first playback.
“The TVOD space is gaining traction as more entertainment enthusiasts embrace the ‘pay for what you want to watch’ culture rather than multiple subscriptions. As BBC Studios recognizes the huge opportunity in this category, we are delighted to further extend this exclusive partnership,” said Ashish Saxena, COO, Cinemas, BookMyShow, about the partnership.
With the new BBC First widget, the company plans to expand its global reach by developing content consumption habits. For the first two weeks, enthusiasts can enjoy 50 percent off Sherwood, Ragdoll and Unforgotten Season 1 on the BookMyShow app. Pricing details were not disclosed, but customers can expect several other plays to be added to the platform over the next two quarters. Major attractions include Smother, Traces, The Chelsea Detective, Happy Valley and the remaining seasons of Unforgotten.
For now, there’s no word on BBC Studios releasing on a same-day date with BookMyShow Stream. But if the results of the deal are promising, future British dramas could see the treatment. This is a list of debut series shown as part of BBC First’s partnership with BookMyShow Stream.
Sherwood
Set in a Nottinghamshire mining town, two shocking murders rock an already fractured community, triggering the biggest manhunt in British history. Conceived by award-winning playwright James Graham, the series is based on the 2004 assassination of Keith Frogson — a trade unionist who was hacked to death with a crossbow and samurai sword. Starring David Morrissey (Britannia) and Leslie Manville (Phantom Thread), the drama deals with the 1984 miners’ strike to disprove an ever-growing web of conspiracy and lies.
Ragdoll
Ragdoll follows the murders of six people who are dismembered and sewn into grotesque body shapes. Police detectives Nathan Rose (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), Emily Baxter (Thalisa Teixeira), and Lake Edmonds (Lucy Hale) lead the investigation to solve the mystery of “The Ragdoll,” combining loose suspects and direct messages from the killer. With a list of potential victims in hand, detectives must face the media and multiple courtroom appearances without falling into a trap.
Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Thalissa Teixeira and Lucy Hale in a still from Ragdoll
Photo credit: Alibi
Unforgettable season 1
A cold case has been reopened 39 years after a young man’s body was found in an abandoned building in north London. Victim James Sullivan disappeared in 1976 as a teenager. DCI Cassandra Stuart (Nicola Walker), along with Sunil Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar), begin the investigation as they track down four suspects, each hiding their own secrets. Each series deals with a new case, exploring seemingly unrelated characters and the emotional consequences of crimes.
BookMyShow Stream was launched in February last year, to counter the shutdown of theaters in India that essentially dried up BookMyShow’s core business. The platform currently has over 2,000 titles and focuses on providing personalized content to users. BookMyShow Stream competes with more established players such as Apple TV and Google Play Movies, along with new entrants such as Zee5’s ZeePlex and Prime Video Store.
