Across the pond, onto your screen

The simplest way to watch British TV in the US is to pair BritBox, which is still available in the US and is now fully owned by BBC Studios, with Acorn TV, the mystery-heavy service from AMC Global Media. If you mainly watch period dramas, PBS Passport unlocks Masterpiece in exchange for a donation to your local station. Many of the most talked-about British hits, though, stream on general services like Netflix, Apple TV, Peacock, and HBO Max.

Prices below are in USD as of September 2026.

Quick comparison

BritBox

Current US status: BritBox is active in the US. BBC Studios bought ITV's 50% stake in BritBox International for £255 million in 2024, making the service wholly owned by the BBC's commercial arm, and at the same time extended its licensing deals with ITV so ITV programming stays on the service (BBC Studios). At the time, BritBox International operated in eight countries: the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, with more than 3.75 million subscribers.

Do not confuse it with BritBox UK, a separate service that ITV folded into its ITVX platform. The two share a name but are different businesses.

Plans: BritBox moved to two tiers in September 2025, according to CableTV.com:

• Standard: $10.99 a month or $110 a year. Ad-free, up to HD, two streams at once.
• Premier: Ad-free with 4K, up to four streams, downloads, early access to selected new releases, and BBC Select documentaries. CableTV.com lists it at $12.49 a month and $149.99 a year [VERIFY; those figures do not line up, so check the plan page].

Confirm current prices on BritBox US. BritBox is also sold as a channel through Prime Video Channels and Apple TV [VERIFY current channel pricing].

Catalog strengths: BBC and ITV dramas and detective series, classic British comedy, and exclusive US premieres. Premier's early-access perk has included binge releases of shows such as Silent Witness ahead of weekly Standard releases.

Acorn TV

Acorn TV is run by RLJ Entertainment, which is majority owned by AMC Global Media, the company formerly called AMC Networks (AMC Global Media). It focuses on British, Irish, Australian, and Canadian series, with a strong lean toward crime and cozy mysteries.

Catalog strengths: Midsomer Murders, Vera, and Murdoch Mysteries have long been Acorn staples, and current highlights on its home page include The Chelsea Detective, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, and Agatha Christie adaptations such as Poirot and Marple [VERIFY individual title availability]. AMC's stake in Agatha Christie Limited makes Acorn a regular home for new Christie adaptations.

Price and where to get it: Acorn TV sells monthly and annual plans directly and is also available through channel stores such as Prime Video Channels and Apple TV, and in some AMC+ bundles [VERIFY current prices and bundle inclusion].

PBS, Passport, and Masterpiece

PBS remains one of the best-value options for British drama.

• Free in the PBS app: Many recent PBS episodes, including Masterpiece dramas, stream free for a limited time after broadcast in the PBS app.
• PBS Passport: A member benefit that gives donors "extended access" to an on-demand library that includes Masterpiece, NOVA, and Antiques Roadshow. Each station sets its own donation threshold, so there is no single national price; many stations ask for about $5 a month or $60 a year [VERIFY with your station]. After you donate, your station sends an activation code (PBS Help).
• Masterpiece on Prime Video Channels: A separate paid channel with the Masterpiece archive for people who prefer to stay inside Prime Video [VERIFY price].

Why donating matters more now: Congress rescinded federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July 2025, and CPB's board voted to dissolve the organization in January 2026 (Wikipedia summary) [VERIFY against CPB or PBS statements]. Local stations, especially rural ones, lost a meaningful share of revenue, which makes Passport donations more important to what your station can offer.

British shows on general streaming services

Many of the biggest recent British shows never reach BritBox or Acorn because a US streamer commissioned or co-produced them. Always check current availability; these deals change.

A note on Doctor Who: Disney's co-production deal covered the show's 2023–2025 run, and the BBC has said it plans to put future production out to competitive tender, so a new US home could be announced later (Wikipedia summary) [VERIFY with BBC announcements].

Can you watch BBC iPlayer or ITVX in the US?

No, not legally. BBC iPlayer and ITVX are UK services meant for viewers in the UK, and iPlayer also requires a UK TV licence. Both block US viewers, and using a VPN to get around that breaks their terms of use. The BBC does sell a US subscription on BBC.com focused on news and factual content [VERIFY details and price].

How to choose

1. You love British mysteries? Start with Acorn TV, then add BritBox.
2. You watch BBC and ITV dramas and comedy? BritBox Standard covers most people; Premier makes sense only if you want 4K, downloads, or early access.
3. You mostly watch Masterpiece? Use the free PBS app window, and donate for Passport if you want the back catalog.
4. You want the latest buzzy British hit? Check Netflix, Apple TV, and Peacock before paying for a specialist service.
5. You want both BritBox and Acorn? Rotate them: subscribe to one for a few months, then switch.

International notes

Outside the US, availability differs sharply. BritBox International runs in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and several Nordic countries, with catalogs that vary by market. Acorn TV serves North America and selected other markets but has pulled out of some, including Latin America in 2024 [VERIFY]. UK viewers get most of these shows free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

FAQ

Is BritBox still available in the US?

Yes. As of September 2026, BritBox is available in the US and is wholly owned by BBC Studios. Its Standard plan costs $10.99 a month or $110 a year, and a Premier tier adds 4K, downloads, and early access.

What is the difference between BritBox and Acorn TV?

BritBox focuses on BBC and ITV shows, including dramas, detective series, and comedy. Acorn TV, owned by AMC Global Media, focuses on mysteries and dramas from the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, such as Midsomer Murders.

How do I watch Masterpiece without cable?

New Masterpiece episodes stream free in the PBS app for a limited time after broadcast. Donating to your local PBS station for PBS Passport unlocks a larger on-demand library, and the Masterpiece channel on Prime Video is another paid option.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer in the US?

No. BBC iPlayer is only for viewers in the UK, and using a VPN to reach it from the US violates its terms. Look for BBC shows on BritBox, PBS, BBC America, or major US streaming services instead.

How much is PBS Passport?

PBS Passport comes with a donation to your local PBS station, and each station sets its own minimum. Many stations ask for about $5 a month or $60 a year.

Sources

All accessed September 17, 2026.

• BBC Studios: BBC Studios Takes Full Ownership of BritBox International
• CableTV.com: BritBox Guide, 2026 Prices, Plans & Features
• BritBox US
• Acorn TV
• AMC Global Media
• PBS Help: What is PBS Passport?
• PBS
• Wikipedia: Corporation for Public Broadcasting (funding rescission and dissolution; confirm with primary sources)
• Wikipedia: Doctor Who (Disney partnership and tender plans; confirm with BBC)
• Wikipedia: Acorn TV (ownership and markets; confirm with AMC Global Media)