The
BBC and ITV’s new streaming service BritBox has officially launched.
The joint venture aims to showcase existing content from the two
British broadcasters, as it looks to rival the likes of
Netflix and
Amazon Prime, who currently dominate the streaming market.
As well as box sets of classic series, BritBox will feature new shows commissioned especially for the service, which is billed as “truly British”.But with so many other alternatives out there, including the newly launched
Apple TV+ and the upcoming Disney+, is it worth signing up for yet another service?
To help you decide, we’ve unpacked our BritBox highlights and answered some of the practical questions you may currently be asking about the new platform...Which shows are on there already?At present, BritBox boasts a back catalogue of old classics and more recent series, with genres ranging from drama to reality. Here’s a few select highlights...
Classic BBC dramaHappy Valley
Life On Mars
House Of Cards
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Last Tango In Halifax
Tipping The Velvet
The Life
Spooks
Cranford
McMafia
Ashes To Ashes
Clocking Off
Cutting It
Hustle
ITV dramasAt Home With The Braithwaites
Downton Abbey
Broadchurch
Victoria
Prime Suspect
Band Of Gold
Cold Feet
Mrs Biggs
Marcella
Scott And Bailey
Inspector Morse
Midsomer Murders
Secret Diary Of A Call Girl
The Darling Buds Of May
ComediesAbsolutely Fabulous
Gavin & Stacey
The Royle Family
Keeping Up Appearances
French & Saunders
The Vicar Of Dibley
Two Ronnies
The Young Ones
Victoria Wood As Seen On TV
Only Fools And Horses
Goodness Gracious Me
Fawlty Towers
Bottom
Red Dwarf
One Foot In The Grave
Benidorm
Black Adder
Dinnerladies
Come Fly With Me
Little Britain
Extras
Channel 5 Highlights
Celebrity 5 Go Caravanning
Cruising With Jane McDonald
Reality and FactualLove Island
Ibiza Weekender
The Only Way Is Essex
Top Gear
David Beckham Into The Unknown
However, two shows not currently on the service are Footballers’ Wives and Bad Girls, which has prompted a lot of disappointed reaction online...Who gives a shit we want Footballers Wives https://t.co/w0epu0uM21— Lee McVeigh (@LeeMcVeigh) November 7, 2019Wont get #britbox unless they get Footballers Wives. Iconique show— The Fox (@PresidentFoxy) November 7, 2019*Cancels subscription* #BritBoxpic.twitter.com/PoAJX26hKr— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) November 7, 2019Indeed they don't, which is very annoying. (And for the record - they don't currently have either Bad Girls or Footballers' Wives 😞)— Cord Busters
UK (@cordbusters) November 7, 2019Channel 4 is soon to join the partyWhile shows from the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 are available to stream as of now, Channel 4 will soon complete the list of UK broadcasters with content on the service.
The network has struck a deal that will see over 1000 hours of Channel 4 programming uploaded in spring 2020. However, it will not be on an exclusive basis, as much of the same content (and more) will still be available to stream on their own catch-up service, All4. What else is coming?A whopping 627 episodes of classic Doctor Who are set to arrive on Boxing Day as a delayed
Christmas present for Whovians. There will be original programming tooAs well as box sets, it will feature new shows commissioned especially for the service.
The service launched with one original series called Lambs Of God, with has been likened to The Handmaid’s Tale.
The drama centres on three nuns who eke out a traditional living on a rugged island, but when the outside world intrudes in the form of an ambitious young priest, they set about protecting their sacred way of life.
There are also two new episodes of Midsomer Murders being uploaded which will be exclusive to the platform.
There are no further details on any other shows just yet, but BritBox bosses are expected to make some announcements in the coming weeks.So how much does BritBox cost, then?A monthly subscription to Britbox is going to set you back £5.99 a month. However, you do get a free 30-day trial when you first sign up.
By comparison, Netflix’s most basic plan costs the same price, as does Amazon Prime’s – although for £2 a month extra, Amazon Prime subscribers can get the full perks, which include same-day delivery from the e-commerce company.
The newly-launched Apple TV+ is currently the cheapest of all the major streaming platforms, costing £4.99 a month, but it does also have a much smaller catalogue to choose from. How can I watch BritBox?If you’re watching on computer or mobile devices, just go to BritBox’s website.
You can also use the mobile and tablet apps on Apple and
Android devices, or access it through the Roku and Apple TV apps.
The BritBox app will also soon launch on
Samsung Smart TVs, appearing as a “Recommended App”.
BritBox is also partnering with BT to create a range of products for their customers to gain access to the platform.READ MORE... Apple TV+ Is Finally Here – Here's Everything We Can Tell You, Including What Shows To Look Out For BBC Boss Dismisses Viewers' Concerns Over 'Paying Twice' For Subscription Service BritBox
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