Goodbye, BritBox? With the launch of ITV’s new streaming service – ITVX – the standalone BritBox UK service is slowly coming to an end, as new subscriptions are no longer available for the former “home of British TV”.
The change was quietly implemented this week, following the official launch of ITVX on December 8 – and new subscribers who come to the BritBox site, or those who cancelled in the past and wish to resubscribe – are being sent to ITVX and its paid Premium tier.
To encourage existing and former BritBox subscribers to switch to ITVX, they’re even being offered a voucher code with a discount for ITVX Premium (see more on that below).
Meanwhile, on ITVX’s side, subscribers were supposed to get all of BritBox’s content as part of their Premium ITVX subscription – but many users have noticed that some BritBox content is missing (such as older seasons of Doc Martin, Spitting Image, and more).
To add to the confusion, existing BritBox subscribers can’t transfer or merge their accounts into ITVX. Therefore, they can either stay on BritBox for now – or cancel their subscription, and open a new account on ITVX – which won’t save their previous watchlist and watch history.
And last but not least – BritBox lives on, for now – on Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, where the standalone BritBox subscription is still alive and well, at least for now.
Confused yet? Let’s dig in deeper.
ITVX And BritBox UK Explained
ITV’s new streaming app, ITVX, is a free-to-watch (with adverts) service that’s replacing the long-running ITV Hub app, and is meant to be a full-fledged streaming service, with the aim of competing with services such as Netflix and Disney+.
ITVX is launching with more than 10,000 free (with adverts) hours of on-demand content, including 35 flagship shows, 200+ series and 250+ films.
In addition to the on-demand content, you can also stream all of ITV’s live channels via the app, as well as several “themed” ad-supported live channels that are dedicated to a single series or theme (but not on Freeview Play devices and TVs).
ITVX is available on most of the streaming devices and Smart TVs sold in the UK (except for several older boxes and TVs), as well as on Virgin Media’s TV boxes, Sky Glass, Sky Stream – and, hopefully soon – Sky Q (which never had an ITV Hub app).
While ITVX is a free streaming service first and foremost (with adverts), it also has an optional Premium tier that removes all the adverts – and also gives you access to all most of the content from BritBox.
BritBox UK (don’t confuse it with the US version) is a streaming subscription service owned by ITV (The BBC used to own 10%, but eventually sold its share to ITV).
BritBox curates British TV programmes and classic films from ITV, BBC, Channel 5 and Channel 4 – including 600+ classic Doctor Who shows.
The service (which exists separately in the US and a few other countries), also produced some original shows – including Magpie Murders, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, new seasons of Spitting Image and more.
Since its launch, BritBox’s subscription price has been £5.99/month or £59.99/year.
And now – surprise – that’s exactly the same subscription price for ITVX Premium, which includes content from BritBox (the old ITV Hub+ subscription, which just removed the adverts – was £3.99/month).
Therefore, obviously – there was no longer any reason to sign up for BritBox, when ITVX Premium costs exactly the same – and gives you more.
BritBox Stops Offering New Subscriptions
Back in March 2022, we reported that BritBox was going to change significantly, and get “folded into” ITVX once the new service came to be.
At the time, BritBox also confirmed to us that it will no longer produce original content, and some existing BritBox originals moved over to ITVX for their future seasons. We were also told, back then, that BritBox subscribers would be moved over to ITVX.
When ITVX actually launched (first with a ‘soft launch’ in November), ITV changed its tune a little bit, saying that BritBox will remain separate for now.
That is – ITVX Premium subscribers would still get BritBox’s content, but a standalone BritBox app (and service) would continue to exist, for those who prefer to remain subscribed to BritBox. Furthermore, ITVX subscribers can’t use their credentials on the BritBox app, and vice versa.
However, subscribers who choose to cancel an annual BritBox subscription don’t automatically get a partial refund.
So, ITV confirmed to us that BritBox subscribers with an annual subscription who wish to move to ITVX Premium can contact BritBox’s customer support directly, and will be given a refund which they can then use to subscribe to ITVX Premium.
But this week – following the official ITVX launch – there was another quiet change: new subscriptions for BritBox were disabled, and those who go to britbox.co.uk, and try to subscribe – are told to move over to ITVX Premium and sign up there.
BritBox customers that have cancelled their subscription at some point, can’t resubscribe either (even if their annual subscription is still active) – and are instead directed towards ITVX Premium.
It’s important to note that the standalone BritBox app/website still works – so existing BritBox subscribers, with an active subscription, can still use it the same way as before, and can renew their subscription – for now.
It’s unlikely, however, that ITV will keep maintaining two separate streaming services with identical content for long – therefore, it stands to reason that the standalone BritBox site/app will be phased out at some point – but no official announcements have been made so far.
ITVX Premium – Discount Voucher
ITV is trying to encourage BritBox subscribers to move over to ITVX in several ways.
First, the highly anticipated ITVX Original series, A Spy Among Friends, is now available on BritBox – so subscribers can watch it without adverts (it’s available for free on ITVX – but with adverts, if you’re not subscribed to Premium).
Furthermore, BritBox subscribers are being offered a coupon code – ITVXSAVE13 –that they can use to lower the monthly cost of ITVX Premium from £5.99/month to £3.99/month, for up to 13 months.
- Update: That code has expired, but there’s a new limited-time ITVX Premium code
The good news? The voucher code currently works for anyone.
BritBox Lives On – On Amazon’s Prime Video
BritBox has yet another video channel option – on Amazon’s Prime Video.
The Prime Video Channel version of BritBox will remain separate from both the standalone BritBox service AND the new ITVX Premium service.
But with the subscription being monthly and not annual – customers who wish to switch over will be able to do so on a month-to-month basis.
Meanwhile, there’s also an ITV Prime Video channel which used to be called ITV Hub+, but has been renamed ITV Catch-up, as it only contains more recent ITV shows, and will not contain the full content library of ITVX (or, presumably, most of ITVX’s originals).
Subscribers to ITV Catchup on Amazon’s Prime Video Channel will not get access to ITVX Premium, as the two are separate.
One advantage of the Prime Video Channel versions of BritBox and ITV Catchup, is that they work on every device that supports the Prime Video app – including ones that don’t currently have the standalone BritBox (or ITVX) app, such as Sky Q.
That’s also important for users with some older devices that don’t support ITVX.
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FAQs
BritBox Stops Selling New Subscriptions, In Favour Of ITVX | Cord Busters? ›
At the time,
You won't be able to watch that content on ITVX using your BritBox subscription or account details. Can I watch BritBox with an ITVX account? Can I watch BritBox with an ITVX Premium subscription? Can I watch BritBox on ITVX?
What's happening with BritBox? ›BritBox is up. There's no disruption to our service!
What is the difference between ITVX and ITVX premium? ›While ITVX is, first and foremost, a free streaming service (with adverts) – it also includes an optional, paid subscription tier. ITVX Premium, which normally costs £5.99/month, removes most adverts from the streaming service, and also adds the entire BritBox library to the mix.
Is ITVX replacing ITV Hub? ›ITVX (formerly ITV Hub) is a British online video-on-demand service operated by ITV. ITVX is now available as of January 2023.
Is BritBox being discontinued? ›BritBox will continue to exist as a standalone app, which you can continue enjoying as long as you have a BritBox subscription. However, all your favourite BritBox shows are moving to ITVX where you will need an ITVX Premium subscription to watch them.
Is ITVX available in USA? ›ITV is a national British television network reserved exclusively for UK residents. Citizens can access the variety of content on ITVX, which employs geo-restrictions and blocks IP addresses outside the UK. That means that users from the USA or any other country can't watch shows on ITVX.
Does ITVX replace BritBox? ›To watch BritBox content on ITVX you'll need an ITVX Premium subscription. Please note this ITVX Premium subscription does not give you access to the BritBox app.
Why does ITVX not work? ›Restart your router (unplug it/power it off for 30 seconds and then turn it back on). Clear app data/restart your device if you are viewing on a mobile or tablet. Clear your cache and cookies if you are viewing on our website. Please consult your browser's help section for details on how to do this.
What do people think of ITVX? ›| 5 star | 65% |
|---|---|
| 4 star | 13% |
| 3 star | 9% |
| 2 star | 3% |
| 1 star | 10% |
Where can I watch ITVX? ›
You can watch live TV on our website, the ITVX app and some connected TVs. The channels you can stream are ITV1, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV, as well as curated channels showing a selection of ITV's best content.
Is BritBox free with Amazon Prime? ›Is BritBox free with Amazon Prime? Whilst you can add BritBox to your Prime Video subscription as a Prime Video Channel, you'll still have to pay for your subscription. That's because adding BritBox to your Prime Video package is the same as adding any other channel like HBO or Showtime.
Will ITVX be free? ›The ad-supported tier of ITVX is available for free, and allows you to watch thousands of hours of shows. If you want to ditch the adverts however, and gain access to additional shows and boxsets from BritBox, you can choose to subscribe to a premium version for £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year.
Why can I not get ITVX on my TV? ›Customers with supported Freeview Play devices should see their ITV Hub app “transform” into ITVX, without needing to manually download a new app. If you don't see the ITVX app on your Freeview Play device, it sometimes helps to restart the box/TV by unplugging it and then plugging it back in.
Where can I find ITVX? ›ITVX is now available on Sky Q, as well as Sky Glass and Sky Stream. ITVX is the new streaming service from ITV. Replacing the ITV Hub, it has over 15,000 hours of TV for you to enjoy.
Why has ITV Hub disappeared? ›Hello ITVX! We're currently upgrading the ITV Hub app to our brand new ITVX experience across smart TVs, mobile apps and browsers. If you've purchased an ITVX Premium subscription, you may have to wait for certain platforms to upgrade to ITVX before you can watch all the Premium content (eg BritBox).
Why does BritBox stop working? ›Check you're using the latest app version of BritBox
It's likely that you're using an outdated version of the BritBox app and need to update your app. While most devices will automatically update your apps for you, you may need to update them manually from time to time.
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Our partners have more info to get you started:
- Amazon Prime Video.
- Apple TV App.
- The Roku Channel.
There was a time when we maintained that both services were equally good, but that time has passed. For most people, the winner is going to be BritBox. That's not to say we don't still LOVE Acorn TV, just that in an honest comparison of the two, we have to give the prize to BritBox.
Is ITV on BritBox? ›BritBox shows
BritBox claims to host the largest amount of British box sets of any streaming service - more than 300 different titles from the Beeb, ITV, Channel 4, Film4 and Channel 5.
How much does it cost to get ITVX? ›
ITVX is available as a free streaming service, just like the ITV Hub.
What channel is ITVX on? ›It is not on a specific channel, but is available on your TV in the same way ITV Hub was available to freeview viewers. Freeview Play devices should see their ITV Hub app “transform” into ITVX, without needing to manually download a new app.
Should I get BritBox or ITVX? ›Should you pick ITVX Premium or BritBox? Given that ITVX Premium and BritBox cost the same, and one has more content than the other, it's safe to say that, at the moment, the former is the better pick for you.
Who is BritBox competitor? ›co. uk's top 5 competitors in December 2022 are: itv.com, freeview.co.uk, channel5.com, justwatch.com, and more.
How do I get ITVX premium? ›You can subscribe to ITVX Premium on our website https://itv.com/watch/itvx-premium by registering a new ITV account, or by going to the "Manage account" section of your ITV profile when signed in. You will be billed monthly by ITV for your subscription and you'll receive an invoice email with all of the details.
Why do I have to keep signing in to ITVX? ›The app makes it really easy to see what's available to watch across BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All 4, My5 and UKTV Play. Once you've found something to watch, you just need to link to the content – and this is why you need to be signed in to each individual player.
Why can't I get ITVX on my Samsung TV? ›Most Samsung Smart devices have automatic updates enabled by default. So long as your TV is on and connected, updates to ITVX will automatically push to your device as they become available. We highly recommend that automatic updates are enabled to ensure that you always have the latest and greatest version of the app.
Does ITVX block VPN? ›You need to be in the UK to watch ITVX (unless you have downloaded shows to watch abroad). You won't be able to play shows if ITVX detects that you might be using a VPN.
Is ITVX a success? ›The ITVX launch led to a significant increase in the volume of content available for streaming from 4,000 in 2021 to 19,000 hours. ITV says that In in first two months since launch, ITVX has attracted more users, and harder to reach lighter viewers, who are spending longer on ITV's digital content.
How is ITVX different? ›ITVX Premium (ad-free subscription)
A paid subscription tier presents all content free of advertising. It also provides access to much more content, including "partner content" and Britbox, plus downloads for offline viewing on a mobile device.
What does ITVX premium include? ›
With ITVX Premium, you can watch most shows and movies on demand without the adverts, and also download them to watch offline on smartphones and tablets. You'll just need to make sure your device is running iOS 14 or above or Android 5.0.
How can I watch ITV in USA? ›You can watch ITV in the USA via a VPN, a proxy service, or TOR. A VPN is the easiest and safest method to get a UK IP address and unblock ITV. Why can't I watch ITV in the US? ITV is only available in the United Kingdom.
How do I get the ITVX app on my TV? ›- Amazon Fire TV.
- Apple TV (tvOS 12.2 or later)
- Chromecast.
- Freesat and Freeview Play (some models)
- LG Smart TVs (2016 or newer)
- NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.
You can access ITVX's impressive library by heading to itv.com, and checking out the web browser version. The broadcaster is currently upgrading the ITV Hub app to the new ITVX service across smart TVs, mobile apps and browsers.
What is the cheapest way to get BritBox? ›You can get a 7-day free trial of BritBox via the BritBox website. After the trial you'll be rolled onto a $7.99/month or $79.99/year subscription, depending on your selection, unless you cancel.
Is BritBox worth it in the US? ›If any of the genres or shows listed above appeal to you, BritBox might be worth the $7.99 monthly price. Whether you're a mystery enthusiast who already wore out what PBS has to offer, or you've always been fascinated by British comedy, there's enough content on BritBox to keep you occupied for a long time.
Can I share my BritBox subscription? ›Absolutely! You'll be able to sign in using the same account on any of our supported devices, including a streaming device like Roku, smart TV, mobile, tablet, or web.
How long is ITVX free for? ›Get your ITVX Premium 7 day free trial
*Ad-free applies to our on demand library only and programmes may contain ITV promotions where contractually required. Live TV plays with ads. †You can cancel at any time before your first or next billing date to avoid future charges.
ITVX Premium – Discount Voucher
Furthermore, BritBox subscribers are being offered a coupon code – ITVXSAVE13 – that they can use to lower the monthly cost of ITVX Premium from £5.99/month to £3.99/month, for up to 13 months.
ITVX (formerly ITV Hub, and originally known as ITV Player) is a British online video-on-demand service operated by ITV. The service predominantly offers features content from ITV1, as well as ITV Digital channels and some licensed content. The service was known as ITV Player from its inception until 2015.
Can I get ITVX on my LG Smart TV? ›
ITV Hub is a free of charge video on demand service which can be watched on LG TV. Please note that ITV Hub is not accessed by all TV models. Check for your model and see if your TV is eligible. If you do not have ITV Hub as a default in your app list, make sure to download the app on our content store on your LG TV.
Why does ITV player keep going black? ›If you're experiencing any freezing, buffering, error messages or a blank screen please try the steps below: Clear your cache. Clear your cookies. Check your internet speed(you'll need at least 800kbps to play our videos and ITV Hub will adjust your viewing experience depending on your internet speed)
Can you watch live TV on ITVX? ›ITVX has all of ITV's own content, but it also lets you stream live TV from ITV channels and watch movies and TV shows that ITV has licensed to air in the UK.
How do I cancel my ITVX premium? ›If you subscribed on our website
2) Click your name at the top of the page and go to the 'Manage Account' section - you'll be asked to confirm your email and password. 3) Click on 'Manage payment details' on the right hand side of the page. 4) Click "Cancel" and confirm you'd like to cancel your subscription.
ITVX is now available on Sky Q, as well as Sky Glass and Sky Stream. ITVX is the new streaming service from ITV. Replacing the ITV Hub, it has over 15,000 hours of TV for you to enjoy. Watch your favourite shows and films, either on demand or by streaming them live.
Can I watch BritBox through ITV Hub? ›How to watch BritBox? Simply visit the ITV Hub and click on the BritBox icon on the top of the screen. Follow the steps and sign up and you will be able to watch BritBox on any of your devices by downloading the app.
Why is ITVX not working? ›Restart your router (unplug it/power it off for 30 seconds and then turn it back on). Clear app data/restart your device if you are viewing on a mobile or tablet. Clear your cache and cookies if you are viewing on our website.
Can you get ITVX on a smart TV? ›ITVX can be accessed by anyone using a smart TV, laptop, phone, tablet or streaming device which has the ITVX app downloaded. The app can be found on the Apple and Android app stores.
What is ITVX premium? ›ITVX Premium is our subscription service which lets you watch ad-free and download shows to your mobile device. Plus subscribers get thousands more hours of hit shows and exclusive BritBox boxsets. All for just £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year and you can cancel anytime. Articles in this section.
What is the difference between ITV and ITVX? ›ITVX (formerly ITV Hub, and originally known as ITV Player) is a British online video-on-demand service operated by ITV. The service predominantly offers features content from ITV1, as well as ITV Digital channels and some licensed content. The service was known as ITV Player from its inception until 2015.
How to get ITVX premium for free? ›
Open the ITVX app and navigate to the 'Watch ad-free' section of the menu at the top of the screen. Choose between our monthly or annual plan and then select 'Start 7 day free trial' or 'Start subscription'.
Is BritBox through Amazon the same as BritBox? ›Although the same great content is available on all our platforms, there are a few differences that you may want to consider: You'll only be able to watch on Amazon, Apple TV, or Roku app, not at BritBox.com or in our apps.