BritBox Launches Bringing Classic BBC & ITV Shows On Demand

BritBox is a digital video streaming service formed by the BBC and ITV to bring some of their massive archive of TV shows to millions of tv fans in the UK. Channels 4 and 5 have also signed up to make some of their archive programming available. It launched in the UK on the 7th November and there's a few paranormal-themed shows like Inside No. 9 available to watch, so we've signed up, had a quick nose around to tell you if it's worth your money.

Britbox initially seems unnecessary – surely all these channels already have online platforms that they can stream their content on? Up to a point. When we're talking about older programs this brings up the whole issues of rights issues for shows. Some are owned outright by the broadcasters, many aren't though. This is why on iPlayer and other streaming services you currently see shows dropping off at some point, usually around a month, or up to a year for some shows on iPlayer. It's understood the BBC at least are keen to add more archive material to the iPlayer, but at the same time they're constrained by the cost of doing so. So at some point you need to pay. The same argument is made to justify the BBC selling their shows on DVD. “But I've already paid for it!' is the argument. Yes, you've paid to watch it broadcast, and you've paid to watch it on iPlayer. You haven't paid to see whatever you like, when you want, or for the BBC to send you free DVDs of their shows.

Britbox costs £5.99 a month, with thirty days free trial – which you can cancel at any time, there's no minimum term contract. So you can just drop in and out when you want.

We reckon possibly, at the moment, but is this a killer product right now for most people? Probably not. But assuming more shows get added to the library, in the next couple of months why not??