Today streaming TV options are plentiful, but if you're craving some good British TV, BritBox may be just what you need. BritBox is an online portal for British TV boxes and original shows, offering all kinds of modern and traditional TV content from the biggest British broadcasters. It's not a Netflix killer, but it could certainly become a potential disruptor uniting a decade of beloved television. Originally seen as a way to export mainstream British TV to the US and Canada, the streaming service will soon launch in the UK, despite the fact that several catch-up services already exist. For the contents of the BBC and ITV. But there is still a lot to recommend BritBox, with an extensive catalog of British series such as Doctor Who, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Gavin & Stacey, Coronation Street or ITV's Love Island. If you're in the UK, some of them are already available via the BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub catch-up services, while some BBC shows are licensed by Netflix and Amazon: but for those of you in the States United States and Canada, Well, that's the only way to get your hands on these classic TV series. Here we explain what to expect from BritBox, the cost of a subscription, and why you might consider signing up for the service.
What is BritBox?
The brainchild of two British television networks, ITV and the BBC, it is an ad-free, subscription-free online streaming service designed to export British programming beyond Britain's borders, and back to its home country as well. . It's no secret that online viewing habits have changed, with the rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. ITV and the BBC already have their own online catch-up services (ITV hub and BBC iPlayer), but joining forces to offer a larger online offering is probably the best way to ensure their long-term survival over a long period of time. . Extremely competitive online market. Sending to BBC News, Ashley Highfield, a former BBC executive, hinted that BritBox was "not a product that would succeed Netflix, it will probably rub next to it."
(Image Credit: BBC) Although BritBox was originally released only in the US and Canada, we recently learned of their intention to introduce BritBox to UK viewers. The BBC and ITV are finalizing legal agreements for a UK version of the upcoming service this year, according to an announcement made by the BBC in February. What this means for ITV Hub and iPlayer is unclear, although we can imagine the services are now integrated into the larger BritBox platform. The earlier announcement also hinted that other UK broadcasters would likely cooperate with Britbox in the future. It should be noted that the UK Competition Commission shut down a similar project in 2008, after concerns about the power of a combined streaming platform for major UK broadcasters. . So, for BritBox to come to the UK, it can be stipulated that it doesn't pack too many update services under one banner.
So does my country have BritBox?
If you're reading this, probably! The BritBox launched in the United States in 2017 and comes to Canada the following year. Since BritBox was originally intended to export British TV shows out of the country, we've only recently heard of plans to bring the platform to the UK, with a dubious release window. October to December 2019. We expect BritBox to move to other territories in the future, in order to limit the BBC's reliance on Netflix and competing streaming services, in order to present Its content worldwide.
Can BritBox create a place in a landscape full of Netflix-style platforms? (Image credit: Netflix)
How to access BritBox?
To view BritBox in a web browser, simply go to www.britbox.com. You'll be required to sign up for a seven-day free trial before monthly payments will be made from your account (though to date only in the US and Canada). There's also a dedicated BritBox app on Google Play and the App Store for streaming on your phone, tablet or computer. You'll also find the BritBox app on Google Chromecast, Apple TV, or Roku streaming devices. US Amazon Prime Video subscribers can also subscribe to BritBox through Amazon channels.How much does BritBox cost?
The price of a BritBox subscription in the United States is €6.99 per month, about the cost of a basic Netflix subscription. The service in the UK will cost €5.99, which is the price of Netflix's base package, but with HD streaming instead of standard definition. However, paying a television fee (as you would for BBC iPlayer) will not cover the cost of the subscription. It should be noted that the BBC owns only 10% of BritBox while ITV owns the remaining 90%. Therefore, we expect Beeb's net returns to be lower than his partner's from viewer subscriptions.
The Gavin and Stacey layout (Image credit: BBC)
What shows are actually on BritBox?
BritBox combines the best shows from the BBC and ITV, including soaps like Coronation Street, Eastenders, Holby City and Casualty, with new episodes appearing within 24 hours of airing. The real draw is the service's legacy content, with thousands of hours of TV broadcast of British shows like Gavin & Stacey, Poirot, Miss Marple, Fawlty Towers, The Office and Absolutely Fabulous. BritBox also has hundreds of Doctor Who episodes dating back to the '60s, for those of you who aren't satisfied with the later seasons. BBC chief executive Tony Hall said BritBox would not replace iPlayer, the BBC's online catch-up service, which is based on a fee rather than a monthly subscription, although the programs available will not overlap. doubt. We anticipate BritBox will host mostly traditional content, with new shows and streams appearing after spending some time on the ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer hubs. This BBC News article on the announcement confirmed that "many ITV and BBC shows will air on BritBox after they air on TV and lose their own catch-up services." BBC iPlayer can currently only host content for 30 days after launch, although Ofcom is interested in extending it to a full year.
Look out for the last season of Doctor Who, though it may take a while for new episodes to land on BritBox. (Image credit: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)
Should I sign up for BritBox?
If you're in the US and want a comprehensive look at iconic UK programming from the past few years, BritBox is a relatively inexpensive subscription service that has something for you. It doesn't have the variety of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, but you won't get a similar concentration of British gems anywhere else. What if you are in the UK? It will be hard to tell until the service launches later this year and we can see how the BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub content library differs. But at first glance, this seems like a sensible proposition for viewers who don't pay license fees for terrestrial channels, but don't want to miss out on the best of BBC and ITV programming. If you're already paying a UK license fee, you may want BritBox to access content once these repair services have been removed. but keep in mind that you actually double your spending to access the same content in different places.- Disney Plus: a streaming service for Marvel, Star Wars, etc.