BritBox streaming service goes live – here's what you need to know

Created by the BBC and ITV, BritBox will show British box sets from the two broadcasters, and more than 1,000 hours of content provided by Channel 4, Film4 and Channel 5 from 2020. 

Currently you need a TV licence to watch any BBC content, whether live or on catch-up, on its own iPlayer service. However, you won't need a TV licence to watch any of the content on BritBox. 

See our Digital TV guide for more on the TV offerings from Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk, plus see our 20 Netflix Hacks.

How to get BritBox

If you want to try BritBox first, you can sign up to a 30-day free trial. Beware that you'll have to enter your card details, and after the trial ends, BritBox will automatically start charging you the £5.99/mth, unless you cancel. 

The BritBox subscription is a rolling monthly contract which can be cancelled at any point. There isn't currently an option to pay for BritBox annually.

Britbox is available online, via iOS and Android apps, as well as Samsung smart TVs and Apple TV+. It is set to be available on Freeview Play and YouView later this year.

What can you watch on BritBox?

Some of the shows available include Downton Abbey,Only Fools and Horses, Gavin and Stacey, Broadchurch, Miss Marple, Love Island, The Great British Bake Off, Les Misérables, The Office, Happy Valley and Doctor Foster.

All 627 episodes of Doctor Who broadcast between 1963 and 1989 are also available, alongside BritBox’s first exclusive drama, Lambs of God. A selection of classic films and first access to two new Midsomer Murders episodes are also included. 

How does it compare with other streaming services?

BritBox will be going head to head with the likes of Amazon Prime, Netflix and Now TV. To give you an idea of what the best option is for you, there's a clever free online tool, JustWatch, which catalogues what shows and films are shown on different streaming services. Here's how BritBox compares with other streaming services on cost: