Ant and Dec Expand Digital Empire with Seven New Belta Box Shows
Television icons Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are reportedly branching out from their long-standing ITV commitments to launch seven new programmes on their digital entertainment platform, Belta Box. According to industry reports, the duo has assembled an all-star cast for these ventures, marking a significant expansion of their creative footprint beyond traditional broadcasting.
Star-Studded Lineup for New Digital Series
The new shows will feature a roster of well-known personalities from the entertainment world. Sam Thompson, recent winner of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, is set to host a Disney-themed programme titled Friend Like Me. Meanwhile, Scarlett Moffatt, who was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2016, will lead a show called The Line King.
Other confirmed hosts include Sian Welby, who will front an interview series named Aisle Be Honest, and Mollie King, who is tasked with delivering elevator-based entertainment in Lift It Off. The lineup also features Sam Holland, brother of actor Tom Holland, presenting Takeout Challenge, Jordan North with Surprise Dinner Party, and Stephen Mulhern heading Ultimate Munch.
Launch on Belta Box Channels
All seven shows will premiere on Ant and Dec's Belta Box channels, which are accessible across multiple digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This move underscores the presenting duo's strategic shift towards digital content creation, leveraging their massive popularity to reach audiences directly online.
The Belta Box brand, produced by their company Mitre Studios, derives its name from Geordie slang meaning excellent or great. Ed Sleeman from Mitre Studios commented on the venture, stating, 'The decision by some of the leading names in entertainment to bring their next formats to Belta Box reflects a shared ambition and an exciting creative journey ahead.'
Background and ITV Partnership
This digital expansion comes despite Ant and Dec's lucrative £30 million deal with ITV, secured last year to keep them at the network until at least 2028. The Geordie duo, who first found fame as teenagers on Byker Grove, remain cornerstone figures for ITV, fronting flagship shows like Britain's Got Talent and Limitless Win.
At the time of the ITV deal renewal, a television insider noted, 'They remain, arguably, ITV's biggest stars and execs are keen to prevent them being lured away by rivals, particularly streaming giants with deep pockets.' Ant expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership, saying, 'We are absolutely delighted to be continuing our long standing and creative partnership with our friends at ITV.'
Ant and Dec's Digital Vision
Ant previously highlighted the motivation behind Belta Box, explaining, 'We've spent our whole careers celebrating great entertainment, so launching Belta Box feels like the natural next step. Alongside our new podcast, we’re excited to create a space packed with fun, feelgood content that brings people together – no matter where they’re watching or listening.'
The duo's podcast, Hanging Out With Ant And Dec, launched in January on Belta Box, setting the stage for this broader digital initiative. With a presenting partnership that has won the National Television Award for Best Presenter 23 times, Ant and Dec continue to innovate in the entertainment landscape, blending traditional TV success with cutting-edge digital ventures.
