How to Cancel BritBox (2026 Guide) — The British TV Tax You Might Not Need
Updated 2026-02-24 · 5 min read
BritBox costs $8.99/month or $89.99/year for a library of BBC and ITV content. If you binged Downton Abbey, caught up on Doctor Who classics, and exhausted the mystery catalog, it might be time to cancel. Here's how — plus where you can still get British TV for free.
Before you think BritBox is the only way to watch British shows, check these free options:
Tubi (free, ad-supported) — Has classic British mysteries, comedies, and dramas
Pluto TV (free) — Dedicated British TV channels with curated programming
PBS Passport ($5/mo donation) — Masterpiece Theatre, tons of BBC co-productions
Your local library — Hoopla and Kanopy often have BBC series and British films for free with a library card
YouTube — Some classic British comedies (Fawlty Towers, etc.) are available free
BritBox vs Other Streaming for British Content
Netflix — Has some BBC content (Peaky Blinders, Top Boy, Black Mirror). If you already have Netflix, check there first
HBO Max — BBC co-productions like His Dark Materials, Industry
Acorn TV ($6.99/mo) — Similar niche but includes Australian, Canadian content too. Slightly cheaper
BritBox ($8.99/mo) — Deepest BBC/ITV archive, but narrower appeal
The Annual Plan Problem
BritBox's annual plan is $89.99/year ($7.50/mo effective) — a $1.49/mo savings. But the real issue:
No prorated refunds — Cancel in month 3 and you lose 9 months of payment
BritBox's library doesn't add content fast enough to justify year-round subscription
Better approach: Subscribe monthly for 2-3 months, binge everything you want, cancel. Come back next year when new seasons arrive
What to Watch Before You Cancel
If you're about to cancel, make sure you haven't missed these BritBox exclusives:
The Classic Doctor Who library (1963-1989 — not available anywhere else in the US)
Midsomer Murders (25+ seasons)
Inspector Morse / Endeavour / Lewis trilogy
Vera
Only Fools and Horses
Broadchurch (if you haven't seen it yet)
💡 Binge Strategy: BritBox shows are typically 6-8 episodes per season. You can power through 3-4 complete series in a single month. Subscribe, binge, cancel, repeat annually. Save ~$80/year vs keeping it running.
🔍 Find All Your Subscriptions: Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we'll find BritBox and every other subscription draining your account, including ones you forgot about.