And there was an attempt ages ago by the BBC to set up a similar service but before Broadband. It would require a satellite channel?  And the government told the beeb they'd have to finance sending a bird up!

Over on radiotimes.com they say channel 4 would like to join but will have a big problem with copyright as they are a publisher/broadcaster and own no rights.  Now wasn't it thought the government is trying to force the BBC to be just a publisher/broadcaster?

That article also reckons the new stuff will still be shown on iplayer, etc before moving on to Britbox.

Could be an answer to the loss of spendable licence fee income if the BBC has to pay for free over 75s TV Licences?