What BritBox is and who runs it

BritBox is a streaming service owned jointly by ITV, BBC Studios, and Channel 5. It streams television shows and films, almost all of them British or Irish productions. The service is run as a separate company but draws its content from the three British broadcasters that own it.

BritBox launched in the United States in 2017 and in Canada in 2018. In the UK and Ireland, it launched in 2019 as a standalone service, though the BBC also offers some of the same content through its free iPlayer service. The US and Canadian versions operate independently from the UK version and have different content libraries, pricing, and features.

The service is available on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer.

Key Takeaways

  • BritBox costs between $6.99 and $15.99 per month in the US depending on whether you choose an ad-supported or ad-free plan, with a seven-day free trial available before you pay.
  • The service focuses on British and Irish television, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, and reality shows, with a back catalogue of older programmes alongside new releases.
  • You can watch on up to four devices at once with a standard account, though simultaneous streams are limited depending on your plan tier.
  • BritBox does not require a cable subscription or any other service to use, and you can cancel at any time without penalty.
  • Content varies between the US, Canadian, and UK versions of BritBox, so a show available in one region may not be in another.

Subscription tiers and monthly cost

BritBox in the US offers two subscription tiers. The Standard with Ads plan costs $6.99 per month and includes advertisements during shows and films. The Standard plan (ad-free) costs $15.99 per month and has no advertisements.

Both plans allow you to stream on up to four devices registered to your account, though the number of simultaneous streams — meaning how many people can watch at the same time — varies. With the ad-supported plan, you can stream on two devices at once. With the ad-free plan, you can stream on up to four devices at once.

BritBox offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers in the US. During this period, you can watch the full service without paying. Your payment method is required to start the trial, and you will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel before that date.

In Canada, BritBox costs $11.99 CAD per month for the ad-free version. Canada does not currently offer an ad-supported tier. In the UK and Ireland, pricing and plan structure differ from the US and Canada.

What content is available and how it is organized

BritBox focuses on television content from the UK and Ireland. The library includes drama series (both contemporary and historical), comedies, documentaries, reality shows, and films. Much of the content comes from BBC, ITV, and Channel 5 productions, though BritBox also produces original series made specifically for the service.

The service includes both current shows and a back catalogue of older programmes. Some shows are available in full — meaning all seasons and episodes are on the service at once. Others are released on a rolling schedule, with new episodes added weekly or on another set pattern.

BritBox organizes content by genre, by channel of origin, by new releases, and by curated collections. You can search by title or browse by category. The service also offers a "Watchlist" feature where you can save shows and films you want to watch later.

The content library differs between regions. A show available on BritBox US may not be on BritBox Canada or BritBox UK due to licensing agreements. If you travel between countries, you may find that your usual shows are not available in the region you are visiting.

How to create an account and start watching

To start using BritBox, you visit the BritBox website or read the BritBox app on your device. You create an account by entering an email address and password. You then choose your subscription plan (ad-supported or ad-free) and enter a payment method.

After your account is created, you can when ready start watching on that device. To watch on other devices, you sign in with the same email and password. Your account settings let you manage which devices are registered to your account and control simultaneous streaming.

If you start a free trial, the same process applies. You enter your payment information, and the trial period begins. You can cancel the trial at any time through your account settings before the trial ends, and you will not be charged.

BritBox accepts major credit cards and debit cards as payment methods. In the US, you can also pay through certain third-party platforms if you subscribe through them, such as through Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels, though the pricing and terms may differ.

Simultaneous streaming and household sharing

The number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan. With the Standard with Ads plan, two people can stream simultaneously. With the Standard (ad-free) plan, up to four people can stream at the same time.

BritBox does not have an official "household sharing" or "profile" system like some other streaming services. All people using the account share the same login credentials and the same watchlist and viewing history. There is no way to create separate profiles or restrict access to certain content within a single account.

If you exceed the simultaneous streaming limit, the oldest stream will be interrupted and the person watching will be asked to sign in again. This is how BritBox enforces the limit rather than through account warnings or other methods.

Cancellation and payment changes

You can cancel your BritBox subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will lose access to the service right away. You will not receive a refund for any remaining time in your billing period.

If you cancel during a free trial, you will not be charged. If you cancel after the trial ends and you have been charged, that charge is final and is not refunded.

You can change your payment method or billing address through your account settings at any time. If a payment fails, BritBox will attempt to charge your payment method again on the next billing date. If payment continues to fail, your account may be suspended.

If you subscribed through a third-party platform such as Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels, you must cancel through that platform, not through BritBox directly. The cancellation process and refund policy may differ depending on the platform.

Comparing BritBox to other streaming services

BritBox differs from general streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ in its focus. BritBox specializes in British and Irish content, while Netflix and Disney+ offer a wide range of content from many countries and studios. If you want a broad library of films and shows from around the world, a general service may be a better fit. If you specifically want British television, BritBox is the primary option for that.

BritBox's ad-supported plan ($6.99 per month) is cheaper than most competitors' ad-free plans, though it includes advertisements. The ad-free plan ($15.99 per month) is more expensive than some services' standard tiers but comparable to others.

Unlike some services, BritBox does not bundle with other services or offer a family plan with separate profiles. You share one account login with everyone who watches. Some services like Disney+ and Netflix offer multiple profiles and household sharing features that BritBox does not.

BritBox also does not require a cable subscription or membership to any other service. You pay only for BritBox itself. Some streaming services are bundled with cable packages or require a subscription to another service to access them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch BritBox outside the US or Canada?

BritBox is available in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland. If you travel to a country where BritBox is not available, you will not be able to stream. Some content may be restricted by region even within countries where BritBox operates.

Do I need a cable subscription to use BritBox?

No. BritBox is a standalone service and does not require cable, satellite, or any other subscription. You pay only for BritBox itself and can cancel at any time.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Yes. BritBox allows you to read episodes and films to your phone or tablet through the mobile app. Downloaded content can be watched without an internet connection, though you must periodically reconnect to verify your subscription is active.

What happens if I share my login with someone outside my household?

BritBox's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. If BritBox detects unusual activity or account sharing across distant locations, it may restrict or suspend the account. The service does not actively police sharing, but it reserves the right to do so.

Is there a yearly payment option instead of monthly?

BritBox does not currently offer an annual subscription plan in the US. You pay month to month. Some third-party platforms that offer BritBox through their channels may have different billing options, so check with the platform you are using if you subscribe that way.