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Cozy Gifts for British TV Fans
Mugs, notebooks, journals and cozy keepsakes for anyone who loves a good British mystery. Selected items will be 25% off from November 23 through December 1, just in time for holiday gifting.
Shop the Sale → Holiday Gift Guide →CozyTVCompanion is British TV Hub’s own shop on Etsy. Sale runs 12:00am ET November 23 to 11:59pm ET December 1, 2026.
Add the shows on your list and see which service covers the most of them, and the smallest combination that covers them all.
The Best Way to Watch British TV in the US
Updated October 2026 · Researched and reviewed by the British TV Hub editorial team
BritBox offers one of the broadest British TV selections around, while Acorn TV is especially strong for mystery fans. PBS Passport is best for Masterpiece dramas, and Tubi and Pluto TV offer free, ad-supported options.
| Service | Best For | Cost | Free Trial | Standout Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BritBox | One of the broadest British TV selections | Check current price | Varies | Vera, Inspector Morse, and classic and current British series |
| Acorn TV | Mysteries and international crime dramas | Check current price | Varies | Agatha Raisin, Doc Martin, and international mysteries |
| PBS Passport | Masterpiece dramas | Station donation | No traditional trial | Grantchester and All Creatures Great and Small |
| Tubi | Free British television | Free with ads | Not needed | A rotating catalog of mysteries and classic series |
Streaming availability changes frequently. British TV Hub checks official streaming services and updates this guide when platforms, pricing, or availability change.
The Essential British TV Services
These are some of the most useful services for watching British television in the U.S. Each has a different library, so the best choice depends on what you like to watch.
BritBox
A deep library of British programming in one place — mysteries, crime dramas, comedies, and long-running favourites like Inspector Morse, Vera, and Death in Paradise.
View BritBox Options →Acorn TV
Specialises in British and international mysteries. Home to Hinterland, Agatha Raisin, Doc Martin, Murdoch Mysteries, and many exclusive US premieres.
View Acorn TV Options →PBS Passport
PBS Passport gives you extended access to PBS content including Masterpiece, where many BBC dramas air first in the US.
Get PBS Passport →Prime Video
A useful home base for streaming subscriptions — BritBox, Acorn TV, and PBS Masterpiece can all be added as channels here, managed and billed in one place. Also carries a rotating selection of British series and films on its own.
Try Prime Video →What Readers Ask Most
Should I get BritBox or Acorn TV?
BritBox focuses heavily on classic and contemporary British television. Acorn TV has a more mystery-focused library that also includes programming from countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Many British TV Hub readers rotate between the two rather than keeping both year-round.
Can I get BritBox and Acorn TV together?
Yes — both are available as standalone subscriptions or as Amazon Prime Video add-on channels, so you can subscribe to one, both, or neither without affecting your existing Prime membership.
Is BritBox or Acorn TV cheaper?
Acorn TV is generally the less expensive of the two. Exact pricing changes over time and varies by promotion, so check the current rate at signup rather than relying on any single source.
Do BritBox and Acorn TV offer free trials?
Both have offered free trials to new subscribers in the past, though trial length and availability change periodically and aren't guaranteed — check the current offer on each service's signup page.
What's the difference between BritBox, Acorn TV, and PBS Passport?
BritBox and Acorn TV are paid subscription services with deep on-demand libraries. PBS Passport is a member benefit tied to PBS station donations, giving extended access to PBS Masterpiece titles, often before they're available elsewhere.
Watch British TV for Free in the US
You don't need a paid subscription to start. These free services carry a surprising amount of quality British content.
Tubi
Tubi's ad-supported catalog regularly includes British mysteries, dramas, and classic television. Titles rotate, so availability changes over time.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers free ad-supported live channels and on-demand programming, with British and classic television appearing in its rotating lineup.
Kanopy
Many public libraries offer Kanopy for free, which carries British films and some series.
The Roku Channel
A free, ad-supported service with a rotating slate of channels and on-demand titles, including British mystery and classic programming. Available as an app, so no Roku device is required.
Hoopla
Many public libraries offer Hoopla, which includes British programming from BBC Studios and Acorn TV. Titles are borrowed individually rather than streamed on demand, so check your library's monthly checkout limit.
Official YouTube Channels
Licensed channels such as FilmRise post full, ad-supported episodes of British classics including Midsomer Murders. Look for an official studio or network name before watching, since unofficial uploads are often taken down.
Free streaming catalogs change often and can vary by month and location, so check each service directly for what's currently available.
Using a VPN While Streaming
A VPN can provide additional privacy and security while you're online. Streaming availability still depends on your physical location and each service's licensing rules and terms of use. Some UK streaming platforms restrict viewing outside the UK or may block VPN connections, so check the service's current policies before attempting to stream.
Fast, Global Servers
A wide server network, with performance depending on your connection, device, and server load.
Extra Privacy & Security
Encrypts your connection for safer streaming and browsing, especially on public or shared networks.
All Your Devices
Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire Stick, and Smart TV.
Getting Started in 3 Steps
- Install and connect to your VPN provider
- Select a server location
- Check any streaming service's terms of use before relying on a VPN with it
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