What is BritBox? A brief guide to the British television and movie streaming service (2024)

• BritBox is a subscription streaming service in the UK and US, focused solely on British movies and TV.
• The BritBox library includes both popular and classic titles, including "Downton Abbey" and "Doctor Who."
• After a 30-day free trial, BritBox is available for $6.99 a month in the US and £5.99 a month in the UK.

With streaming services becoming the preferred way for entertainment fans to consume their favorite TV shows and movies, these platforms are becoming more and more popular.

BritBox, which bills itself as having the "biggest collection of British content on any streaming service" — more than Netflix, Acorn TV, and Hulu — is one such platform that Brits and Anglophiles in the US alike can enjoy.

What is BritBox?

Launched in the US and Canada in March 2017 (and in the UK in November 2019), BritBox is a subscription-based movies and TV service, with roughly 1.5 million subscribers in North America. The service, which is a joint effort of the British TV networks ITV and BBC, is centered entirely around British television and movies.

While both the North American and British versions of BritBox are pretty much identical, the key differences lie in the content library and offerings, with a smaller selection available with the US version. Both UK and US subscribers have access to BritBox Originals, however.

The North American version of BritBox operates mostly as a platform and content library to help expose non-UK audiences to British programming, while the UK version functions more as an archive of shows many subscribers will already know and love.

What BritBox shows and movies are available

BritBox offers a variety of British comedies, mysteries, dramas, lifestyle, and docs both ad-free and on-demand, with many in their entirety. Among the popular BritBox shows available to stream on the platform are "Downton Abbey," "Broadchurch," "Only Fools and Horses," "Doctor Who," and "Spooks."

Classic British movies including the "Carry On" films and several Hitchco*ck thrillers are also available, along with original programming. In total, there are more than 300 titles to choose from, with more being added regularly.

BritBox shows and movies are also available on the following platforms and devices:

• iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
• Android devices
• Apple TV
• Roku
• Smart TVs from Panasonic, Samsung, JVC, Logik, Polaroid, Sony, Toshiba, LG, Hisense, Hitachi, and Bush
• Google Chromecast
• TalkTalk TV
• Freesat
• BT TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Mac or PC web browsers
• Netgem
• YouView

How much does BritBox cost?

If you want to sign up for BritBox, the company offers a free seven-day trial to give you a taste of what's available before committing to a monthly subscription.

After the trial period ends, you'll pay $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year for HD video on multiple screens and devices. In the UK, the monthly subscription fee is £5.99 a month or £59.99 per year.