Fans of the English language celebrate! The good news is that you can watch British shows on television on this side of the Atlantic.
You may already be aware that popular shows like Luther, The Great British Baking Show, Call the Midwife, and Normal People can be found on Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC, and its streaming service, CBC Gem.
However, there are a host of other streaming platforms that bring Brit shows to your screens in Canada.
So, we compiled the best British streaming services that can be accessed from Canada. Here is an extensive collection of streaming platforms to satiate your hunger for British culture. You can now watch ITV in Canada too.
Acorn TV
TV shows, movies, and documentaries from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Australia are all available on Acorn TV. Although Acorn TV is accessible in Canada, Canadian customers may not have access to all of their favorite shows due to licensing restrictions.
The monthly cost of Acorn TV in Canada is CAD 8.99 (plus tax).
The best part is that devices like Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast are just some of the media players, smart TVs, and mobile devices that can be used. Acorn TV is also accessible through a web browser on a computer.
In terms of original programming, Acorn TV offers British mysteries, dramas, and comedies. Popular TV shows like “Midsomer Murders,” “Foyle’s War,” and “Line of Duty” are available to stream on the platform. Additional originals include “Queens of Mystery” and “My Life is Murder.” Some of the shows on Acorn TV are available on other services, such as Netflix.
If you’re a new customer, try it risk-free for a week. You can cancel your monthly subscription before the trial ends to avoid being charged. You no longer need to connect to a VPN to watch Acorn TV in Canada.
BBC Select
The BBC debuted its streaming service in February 2021, and it is devoted solely to nonfiction narratives. Are you obsessed with true crime documentaries? You need to subscribe to BBC Select. The extensive library of news documentaries, TV shows, and other content makes this streaming service ideal for those interested in learning about current events from various angles.
BBC select costs $4.99 each month.
BFI Player Classic
Through its subscription service BFI Player Classics, the British Film Institute (BFI) brings the finest in British film to worldwide audiences. These films were chosen by the British Film Institute and are “widely loved and rarely seen,” as the site puts it. You can pick and select from many collections depending on your current state of mind or area of interest. Despite carrying only about 300 films at any given time, the platform is likely to have some of the best libraries available, making it ideal for movie buffs and English language learners.
The service is available for only $5.99 per month and you will get a free trial for seven days. It’s available to stream on Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, iOS, Samsung Smart TV and website.
FLIX Premiere
Flix Premiere is a paid streaming service that offers rare and obscure indie movies. Flix Premiere, established in 2015 by Martin Warner, is a gold mine of undiscovered jewels that Hollywood overlooked because they were too little or unprofitable. Several major film festivals, including Berlinale, Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, and others, are cited as the origins of the company’s material.
The streaming platform caters to movie buffs and people who would rather watch movies than television series, and it is presently only available in the United States and the United Kingdom. Pricing starts at $6.99/month after a free trial period of 30 days. The streaming platform is available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Roku, Chromecast and gaming consoles.
BRITBOX
You can now stream British television shows, movies, and documentaries via BritBox for a monthly fee. It debuted in 2018 and is owned by a Canadian subsidiary of the BBC and ITV, two British media conglomerates.
Canadians can subscribe to BritBox now either with a subscription purchased in the same or the USA however, the available content may vary.
The following are BritBox’s monthly and annual subscription pricing; however, local taxes in Canada may increase those costs.
CAD$9.99 per month, the yearly rate is $99.99 CAD
Additionally, BritBox can be added to your Canadian Amazon Prime Video subscription. BritBox is accessible via any web browser or streaming media player and Android TV, Apple TV, Fetch, Fire TV, and Roku are all supported. Unfortunately, it only works with Samsung, LG, and Hisense smart TVs. BritBox has mobile apps for both iOS and Android. In addition to streaming, the app allows users to download content for offline viewing.
Popular BBC and ITV series and movies are available on BritBox. These include “Doctor Who,” “Downton Abbey,” and “Broadchurch.” The Mallorca Files” and “The Beast Must Die” are two of the original shows that anyone can see.
Those curious about BritBox can sign up for a free 7-day trial right now. If you live in Canada, you can use BritBox without resorting to a VPN. The use of a VPN will allow you to access the full selection of content available to US members. If you’re looking for alternatives, visit Earthweb and check out the best local TV streaming services without using a VPN.
ITV
ITV stands for Independent Television. It is a British television network and broadcaster that operates channels across the United Kingdom and Ireland. ITV was established in 1955 as the first commercial television network in the UK, breaking the monopoly of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which had been the only television broadcaster in the country until then.
ITV operates several channels, including the main ITV channel, which broadcasts a range of programming, including dramas, comedies, reality shows, news, and documentaries. Some of the popular shows that have aired on ITV include “Coronation Street,” “Downton Abbey,” “The X Factor,” “Britain’s Got Talent,” and “Love Island.”
Conclusion
In this day and age, who isn’t glued to their screen, be it at home or outside? Canadians are no different.
In North America, there is a wide variety of streaming services, so it’s easy to pick anything to watch. Complete seasons of shows are easily accessible for those who want to binge-watch an entire season in one sitting. Unlike the release cycles of DVDs and Blu-rays of the past, movies are now available online through these services far sooner following their theatrical runs.
Despite Netflix’s continued dominance, a plethora of new streaming sites have emerged to present Canadians with alternatives for watching a wide variety of movies and TV shows. In an effort to set themselves apart from the pack, services are also aggressively creating their own original material and titles.
The good news is that this benefits the regular consumer by providing them with more options, better prices, and more material to explore. If you’re a fan of movies and television shows, you might want to explore Canada’s many streaming options that we have shared today.
