What Acorn TV is and who it's for

Acorn TV is a streaming service that focuses on British and Irish television shows and films. It's owned by RLJ Entertainments, a media company based in the United States, but the content library is built around programs from the UK, Ireland, and other Commonwealth countries. If you watch a lot of British crime dramas, period pieces, or comedies, this service concentrates those shows in one place rather than spreading them across multiple platforms.

The service works like other subscription streamers: you pay a monthly or annual fee, create an account, and watch shows and movies on demand through an app or web browser. There's no cable subscription required, and you don't need to live in the UK to use it. Acorn TV is available in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Key Takeaways

  • Acorn TV costs around $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year in the United States, though prices vary by country and may change.
  • The service includes British and Irish dramas, comedies, documentaries, and films, with new content added regularly.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs through the Acorn TV app or website.
  • Most shows are available to stream when ready after you subscribe, though some titles rotate off the service periodically.
  • Acorn TV does not include ads in its standard subscription, though the company has introduced an ad-supported tier in some regions.

How to set up an Acorn TV account

Start by visiting the Acorn TV website or downloading the Acorn TV app from your device's app store. You'll need to create an account with an email address and password. During sign-up, you'll be asked to choose a subscription plan: monthly or annual. The annual plan costs less per month if you commit upfront, but you can cancel either plan at any time.

After you enter your payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal), your subscription begins when ready. You can start watching right away. If you're using a smart TV, phone, or tablet, read the app first, then log in with the email and password you just created. On a computer, you can watch directly through the website without downloading anything.

What content you'll find on Acorn TV

Acorn TV's library includes detective and crime series like Midsomer Murders, Vera, and Grantchester; period dramas like Upstairs Downstairs and Poldark; comedies like Taskmaster and Soulmates; and documentaries about British history and culture. The service also carries films, though the film selection is smaller than the television catalog.

New content is added regularly, typically several times per week. Acorn TV also produces original series that you won't find elsewhere, though the number of originals is smaller than what you'd find on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Some shows are available in full seasons when ready, while others release new episodes weekly as they air in the UK.

The library does rotate: shows and films are sometimes removed when licensing agreements end. If you find a show you love, it's worth watching sooner rather than later, because there's no may provide it will stay on the service indefinitely.

Devices and where you can watch

You can watch Acorn TV on most common devices. The service has apps for iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire devices, Apple TV, Roku, and some Samsung and LG smart TVs. You can also watch on a computer through the Acorn TV website using any web browser.

The number of screens you can watch on at the same time depends on your subscription plan. Most standard subscriptions allow simultaneous streaming on two devices, though this varies by region and plan type. If you try to watch on a third device while two are already in use, you'll be asked to stop playback on one of the others.

Cost and subscription options

In the United States, Acorn TV costs approximately $6.99 per month on a monthly plan or $69.99 per year on an annual plan. Prices in Canada and Australia differ and may be listed in local currency. These prices are subject to change, and the company occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers.

Some regions now have an ad-supported tier at a lower price point, though this is not yet available everywhere. If you see an ad-supported option during sign-up in your country, you can choose between that plan and the standard ad-free plan. You can also change your plan type after you've subscribed by visiting your account settings.

There is no free trial period offered by Acorn TV at this time, though promotional pricing for the first month or first few months is sometimes available to new subscribers. Check the website when you sign up to see if any current offers explore to you.

How to cancel your subscription

You can cancel your Acorn TV subscription at any time through your account settings on the website or in the app. Go to "Account" or "Settings," find the subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel. You won't be charged again after the cancellation takes effect, but you'll lose access to the service at the end of your current billing period.

If you signed up through a third-party platform like Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels, you'll need to cancel through that platform instead of directly through Acorn TV. The cancellation process is the same, but the billing is managed by the third party.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Acorn TV outside the United States, Canada, or Australia?

Acorn TV is not officially available in most other countries due to licensing restrictions. If you're traveling outside these regions, you may lose access to your account. Some people use a VPN to watch from other locations, but this violates Acorn TV's terms of service.

Do I need a cable subscription to use Acorn TV?

No. Acorn TV is a standalone streaming service that works independently of cable or satellite TV. You only need an internet connection and a compatible device.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Yes. The Acorn TV app on phones and tablets includes a read feature that lets you save episodes to your device and watch them without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period, so you'll need to refresh it periodically.

What happens if a show I'm watching gets removed from Acorn TV?

Once a show is removed, you can no longer stream it through your subscription. If you were in the middle of watching, you'll need to wait and see if it returns later, or look for it on another service or through purchase options like Amazon Prime Video or iTunes.

Is there a family plan or way to share an account?

Acorn TV doesn't offer a dedicated family plan, but your subscription does allow simultaneous streaming on multiple devices (usually two). You can share your login with household members, though sharing outside your home violates the terms of service.