What BritBox is and who runs it

BritBox is a streaming service owned jointly by the BBC and ITV, two major British television networks. It shows British and Irish television programmes — mostly dramas, comedies, documentaries, and reality shows — along with some films. You watch on demand through an app or website, not on a broadcast schedule.

BritBox is separate from the BBC iPlayer (which is free in the UK with a TV licence) and from ITV Hub (also free). BritBox requires a paid subscription and is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa as well as the UK and Ireland.

The service is run by BritBox Limited, a company jointly owned by BBC Studios and ITV Studios. If you have a problem with your account or billing, you contact BritBox customer support directly — not the BBC or ITV.

Key Takeaways

  • BritBox costs between $6.99 and $15.99 per month in the US depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free plan, with annual payment options available at a discount.
  • You can watch on up to four devices at once, but only two can stream simultaneously on most plans.
  • The service includes thousands of hours of British and Irish television, with new episodes added weekly.
  • You can cancel at any time with no contract or early termination fee.

BritBox pricing and payment options

In the United States, BritBox offers two subscription tiers. The ad-supported plan costs $6.99 per month when paid monthly, or $69.99 per year if you pay annually. The ad-free plan costs $15.99 per month when paid monthly, or $159.99 per year if you pay annually. Prices vary by country — UK and Ireland pricing is different, as is Canadian and Australian pricing.

You can switch between the two plans at any time. If you downgrade from ad-free to ad-supported mid-month, BritBox will credit the difference to your account. If you upgrade, you pay the difference when ready.

BritBox accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. If you subscribe through Apple's App Store or Google Play, the payment goes through that platform instead, and you manage the subscription through your Apple or Google account settings.

What you can watch and how the content works

BritBox's library includes current and past seasons of British and Irish television shows. This includes long-running series like Doctor Who, EastEnders, Coronation Street, and The Crown, along with older programmes from the BBC and ITV archives. The service also carries documentaries, reality shows, and a smaller selection of films.

New episodes of current shows are added weekly, usually on the same day they air on BBC or ITV in the UK. You can watch episodes on demand — there is no broadcast schedule — and you can pause, rewind, and resume where you left off.

BritBox does not include live television. If you want to watch BBC or ITV channels as they broadcast, you need a separate service or a TV licence (in the UK).

Device limits and simultaneous streaming

You can register BritBox on up to four devices — for example, a phone, tablet, laptop, and smart TV. However, only two of those devices can stream at the same time on the standard plan. If you need more simultaneous streams, check whether BritBox offers a higher tier in your country, as some regions have plans with more concurrent viewers.

You can read episodes to watch offline on the BritBox app for iOS and Android. Downloaded episodes remain available for a set period (usually 30 days), and you need to be connected to the internet periodically to refresh your downloads.

How to start and manage your subscription

To start a BritBox subscription, go to the BritBox website or read the BritBox app from Apple's App Store, Google Play, or your smart TV's app store. Create an account with an email address and password, choose your plan (ad-supported or ad-free), and enter your payment method.

You can watch when ready after payment is processed. Most payment methods are confirmed within minutes, though some may take up to 24 hours.

To manage your subscription, log into your BritBox account on the website and go to Account Settings. There you can change your plan, update your payment method, view your billing history, or cancel. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you manage the subscription through those platforms instead — go to your Apple ID or Google Play settings and find BritBox under Subscriptions.

Cancellation and what happens to your access

You can cancel your BritBox subscription at any time. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no notice period required. When you cancel, your access ends at the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the end of that month.

If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can do so at any time. Your watchlist and viewing history may or may not be preserved depending on how long you were away — contact BritBox support if you want to know whether your account data will be retained.

Technical requirements and supported devices

BritBox works on most modern devices. Supported platforms include iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, Roku devices, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and web browsers on Windows and Mac computers.

To stream, you need a stable internet connection. BritBox recommends at least 2.5 Mbps for standard definition and 5 Mbps for HD. If you are downloading episodes for offline viewing, you need enough storage space on your device — a typical hour-long episode takes up several hundred megabytes.

Some older devices may not be supported. If you are unsure whether your device works, check the BritBox website or contact their support team before subscribing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my BritBox account with family members?

Yes, you can share your login credentials with people in your household. However, only two people can stream at the same time on most plans. If more than two people in your home want to watch simultaneously, you would need a second subscription or a plan tier that allows more concurrent streams (if available in your region).

Does BritBox include live TV?

No. BritBox is on-demand only — you can watch episodes whenever you want, but you cannot watch BBC or ITV channels as they broadcast. If you want live television, you need a separate service or a TV licence (in the UK).

What happens if I don't use my subscription for a while?

Your subscription stays active and you keep paying until you cancel. BritBox does not pause subscriptions or offer a "freeze" option. If you do not plan to watch for several months, cancelling and resubscribing later is usually cheaper than paying for months you do not use.

Can I use BritBox outside my country?

BritBox is geo-restricted — you can only watch from within the country where you subscribed. If you travel abroad, you may not be able to access your account. Some VPN services claim to work around this, but using a VPN to bypass geographic restrictions violates BritBox's terms of service.

How do I contact BritBox if I have a problem?

BritBox offers support through its website, including an FAQ section and a contact form. Response times vary. You can also contact support through the BritBox app. There is no phone support in most regions, though some countries may have different support options.