BBC Studios streaming boss says future is streaming, but linear still pays
Streaming is definitely the future at BBC Studios, but traditional scheduled TV will fund it for years to come.
That is the balance set out by Marcus Arthur, the executive in charge of the organisation's channels and streaming business outside the United States. In an interview published on October 16, he said building for a streaming-first future, meaning on-demand services come first in planning, is absolutely paramount, according to Deadline.
Arthur was promoted from chief executive of UKTV to CEO, Global Channels & Streaming at BBC Studios. His formal remit covers all global channels and streaming services outside the US, BBC Studios said.
The money is still in linear. By that he means the traditional channels where viewers watch to a fixed schedule. Arthur told Deadline that linear remains hugely important for profits now and will be for the next five to 10 years.
The division he runs is large. Its channels and streaming business reported revenues of £788 million ($1.1 billion) for the 2025/26 financial year, Deadline reported.
That business stretches across four types of television. It includes linear pay-TV networks, meaning channels sold through cable or satellite packages, plus branded ad-supported channels, which are free to watch and paid for by advertising. It also covers direct-to-consumer services, meaning apps sold straight to viewers, and SVoD, or subscription video-on-demand, the monthly streaming subscription model.
Arthur also oversees BritBox International outside North America. BritBox is the subscription streamer carrying British programming to overseas audiences.
Expansion is focused on partnerships and local packaging. BBC Studios has teamed with CosmoBlue to distribute its channels and launch a new general entertainment network across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. As part of that deal, the BBC Player service was integrated into the CosmoGO streaming app.
BBC Player has now grown to 21 products in EMEA, meaning Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In two of those markets the branding has changed. BBC First was rebranded as BBC Belgium in Belgium and as BBC NL in the Netherlands.
For viewers, this means more of the same BBC shows in different places. Scheduled channels stay on air while the same programmes are repackaged for streaming apps and local brands.
