It's British Hi-Fi Week, so what better time to highlight some top-notch British musicians and tracks? Indie music, specifically British Indie, is a genre (or perhaps a category) of music that's hard to nail down as it is constantly evolving. It's a sound that relates to and often rebels against the burgeoning mainstream styles of the time.

What's considered indie music now will likely have a totally different definition in the years to come, in the same way, that some of the tracks on this list may not be considered indie or alternative by today's standards; and that's why I (alongside many of the What Hi-Fi? team) like it so much. These shifting genre goalposts encourage artists to be bold and creative with their creations, which usually makes for interesting music to listen to, and more importantly, try your hi-fi kit out with.

Luckily, it turns out that the team here share this sentiment, as we've collected a list of British indie bangers from a variety of decades, all of which make for excellent options to take your hi-fi kit for a spin. You'll find indie pop, rock and electronic tracks on this list, so there should be something to suit your taste.

The Gospel Of John Hurt by alt-J (This Is All Yours, 2014)

Harry McKerrell, staff writer

With Left Hand Free heavily vetoed by certain sections of the What Hi-Fi? family (and we are a family, after all), I’ve been left with no choice but to recommend the superlative Gospel Of John Hurt. Alt-J could occasionally be accused of straying too far into the realm of the overly abstract or self-indulgent, but who could fail to fall in love with a track all about that iconic, chest-busting death scene from Ridley Scott’s peerless sci-fi horror Alien? 

It’s a majestic song, too, it really is, flitting back and forth between hesitant, light-footed verses and haunting, almost elegiac choral swells. There’s lots of detail for your system to pick out thanks to those little instrumental flourishes at which the Leeds trio are so adept, but it’s as a test of dynamics where The Gospel Of John Hurt comes into its own, especially every time the ever-loudening chorus kicks in and we’re treated to a composition that feels unsettling and stirring in equal measure. 

Stream The Gospel Of John Hurt on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

Madness by Muse (The 2nd Law, 2012)

Andy Madden, deputy editor

Indie rock is still indie, right? Other Muse tracks might be more obvious entries, but Madness has been one of my go-to test tracks for quite a while now (and the Live at Rome Olympic Stadium version is just as good). Sure, it’s not the most extreme test of timing out there, but it excels in other areas. The pulsating low frequencies demand weight and depth from your system but also control and detail.

Speaking of detail, the track has multiple layers of information for your system to unravel. The early part of the track is more careful and considered and if your system is generating background noise, you’ll be able to hear it detract from what should be a clear and clutter-free sound field. The song also introduces an interesting shift in character as it produces a stadium-filling crescendo at the back end of the track. It’s a real test of any system's ability to communicate dynamic shifts.

Stream Madness on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

All The King's Men by Wild Beasts (Two Dancers, 2009)

 Tom Parsons, TV and AV editor

Wild Beasts were a breath of fresh air when they sauntered onto the indie scene in 2008, but it was with 2009’s Mercury Prize-nominated Two Dancers album that they really hit their stride – or should that be ‘swagger’? By blending the brilliantly over-sexed filth of debut album Limbo, Panto with a smoother and more refined sound, Wild Beasts struck upon a unique, baroque style that would last for three further albums before the band called it quits in 2018.

One of the big changes for this second album was the increased vocal contributions of suitably deep-voiced bassist Tom Fleming, with his luxuriously syrupy voice acting as the perfect contrast to Hayden Thorpe’s fabulous falsetto. Fleming actually takes point on All The King’s Men, just one of several standout tracks, with Thorpe interjecting with thrilling howls, shrieks and sighs. This is a multi-layered affair that your system will need impeccable rhythmic and tonal organisation to make the most of. If you can’t feel the arrogance pouring from your speakers, it might be time for an upgrade. 

Stream All The King's Men on:

Spotify

Apple Music 

Tidal

Islands by The xx (xx, 2009)

Lewis Empson, staff writer

The xx are easily one of the first artists that come to mind when I think of British indie music. Their grounded and soulful production never fails to invoke a unique emotional resonance when I listen to their first album. Speaking of that self-titled first album, I've settled on Islands as my preferred test track from this album, although Intro, Crystallised and Shelter are all worthy follow-ups. 

The thumping, flowing bass that kicks in as the song begins should instantly tell you if your system is capable of kicking out meaty, powerful low end, while also ensuring it's well controlled. In contrast, the delicate vocals of Romy should be handled with care in order to retain the intricacies of their vocal performance. The plucky guitar riff that permeates the chorus should guide you into a rhythmic sway if reproduced properly too, ensuring your system is adept with rhythmic timing. Each contrasting element in this song comes together to create a thoroughly engaging song, that should put your hi-fi system to the test.

Stream Islands on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

How Soon Is Now by The Smiths (Hatful Of Hollow, 1984)

Ainsley Walker, staff writer

Born out of a hazy jam session, ‘How Soon is Now?’ is a carefully crafted studio track and stands apart from a large majority of the Smith’s catalogue. Whereas other songs by the four-piece feel more like live performances, there’s far more overdubbing and added ambience heard here. Opening with Marr’s now iconic stuttering tremolo guitar chords, the track kicks into life as a whining guitar lick signals the bass and drums to enter the fold in as well.

It’s a slow burner – the whining guitar reminiscent of a vehicle passing you in the night and the long decay of the snare adds to the lonely sense of space. Love him or hate him, Morrissey’s pleas for compassion in the chorus see him at his most heartfelt, genuine, and vulnerable. To think that one of the Smiths’ most iconic and accomplished tracks was nearly relegated to the B-side scrap heap is criminal, but thankfully it received the adoration it deserves in the end.

Stream How Soon Is Now on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

Wetsuit by The Vaccines (What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, 2011)

Harry McKerrell, staff writer

If you had to level a criticism at indie music as a genre, it would possibly be that it can tend to favour a slightly leaner, less expansive form of production than some of its heavier, meatier rock cousins. Scratchy guitars and 4/4 time signatures are all well and good, but it’s nice to have a little bit of depth underneath the laddish, pub-garden exteriors.

That’s why I’ve always had a big soft spot for The Vaccines and this track in particular. A melancholic tribute to youth that has one eye on a halcyon past and another on the ever-encroaching future, there’s real depth and soul to Wesuit. Proper hi-fi will covey that melancholic, Arcadian feeling with true transparency, while lyrics such as “if at some point we all succumb, for goodness sake let us be young" should hit like a truck. 

Oof, right in the gut. 

Stream Wetsuit on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender (Seventeen Going Under, 2021)

Lewis Empson, staff writer

This rip-roaring, emotionally charged indie banger was impossible to ignore back in 2021, and it remains to this day as possibly my favourite song of the decade thus far. Everything about this track is flawless; from the heavy lyricism that relates to the struggles and injustices that the artist suffered at the age of 17, to the enchanting repetitive guitar riff that underpins the track to the call accompanied by the hearty, soulful piano. It's the perfect embodiment of modern British indie music. 

This, as you might suspect, makes it an excellent candidate to test your audio equipment with. The strong combination of vocals, guitar riff and piano requires a system that can balance each demanding aspect of the song. A good sense of rhythmic timing is also fundamental if you want to capture the energy of this track; if you're not tapping your foot along to the beat of this track, then you're system's not up to scratch.

Stream Seventeen Going Under on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

The Bends by Radiohead (The Bends, 1995)

Harry McKerrell, staff writer

Before Radiohead became the darlings of audio technicians, engineers and audiophiles everywhere, they were unquestionably an alternative indie band. The outfit’s much-maligned debut Pablo Honey is about as proto-indie as it gets, and while 1995’s sophomore smash The Bends paved the way for the artsy, progressive behemoth we know today, it’s still heavily rooted in scratchy guitars, raw vocals and volume dials turned up to the proverbial. 

Monumentally influential on post-Britpop, indie and alternative British acts such as Muse, Coldplay and Elbow, it’s stuffed with soaring guitar hooks and meaty refrains, and no-where is that more in evidence than the album’s floor-shaking title track. Thom Yorke has little affection for the song now, but if you need to see how your system or headphones deal with dynamics, emotional resonance and textural adeptness, this is the song for you. Jump to the three-minute mark and see how your system handles that gradual build-up before Greenwood’s axe kicks in and Yorke goes into full, wailing falsetto mode.

Goosebumps? Good. Feeling a little underwhelmed? You’ve got a problem. 

Stream The Bends on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

There's No Other Way by Blur (Leisure, 1991)

Joe Cox, content director

In 1991 Kurt Cobain told the NME that There’s No Other Way was his favourite British song of the year. And who are we to argue? The second single from Blur’s debut album Leisure, the track helped propel Blur into the charts and the indie limelight. Mixing 60s psychedelia with 90s baggy, it was one step towards the Britpop sound that would take over the UK by the middle of the decade.

The Madchester-esque drums are a good test of the rhythm of your system, while the hazy vocals demand attention to detail in the midrange. Graham Coxon’s distorted guitar riffs provide some welcome relief from the relaxed tempo and will also help reveal any harshness in the treble. This song should sound simultaneously leisurely and perky, which is a decent challenge for any hi-fi setup.

Stream There's No Other Way on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

Hey Now by London Grammar (If You Wait, 2013)

Kashfia Kabir, hi-fi and audio editor

It’s an obvious one, but there’s a reason this dreamy track has been a staple of hi-fi shows and demos for the last couple of years. A beautifully high-production recording that’s sparkling clear and pristine, wide-open and spacious, with singer Hannah Reid’s low contralto voice plaintive and powerful. 

Whether listening on headphones or a hi-fi separates system, this track should engulf you in its ambient-loving, trip-hop-influenced soundstage, while also delivering crisp, snappy highs and deep, taut low frequencies. Mostly, you should be absolutely enchanted by Reid’s soaring vocals and immersed in the hazy but captivating track. If you’ve ever seen it performed live (as I have), you’ll know just how powerful the song can be.

Stream Hey Now on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

 Empire by Kasabian (Empire, 2006)

Harry McKerrell, staff writer

Apologies to now-leader singer Sergio Pizzorno for his band’s inclusion in this list (the shaggy-haired frontman has eschewed the label in the past), but by most appreciable measures, Kasabian were placed well within the indie-sphere when their sophomore release Empire landed in the summer of 2006. The album itself may be a tad hit-and-miss, but the rollicking title track stands tall as a bona fide British banger. 

Crunchy. That’s the textural adjective one would use to describe Empire. Thanks to those bristling, scratchy string tones and the up-and-down, staccato nature of the track’s rebellious percussive underpinning, you’ll want a system that can pick out those rhythmic passages and then hold on for dear life. It’s all about texture and timing here, and you’ll know you’re working with a good setup if Empire’s march-like tempo has all the precision and snap of an exacting drill sergeant patrolling the barracks square. 

Stream Empire on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

Four Out Of Five by Arctic Monkeys (Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, 2018)

Lewis Empson, staff writer

Arctic Monkeys had to make the list; after all, they're practically the mascot of British Indie music for my generation. However, I've picked a track from their controversial Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino album, which marks a dramatic shift in the band's signature sound. A lot of people didn't take kindly to this new sultry, jazz-infused swanky style that AM adopted (and continued to develop in their follow-up album The Car) - but I certainly did.

Four Out Of Five demands a system that embraces its warm, harmonic sound while respecting its sporadic grizzly electric guitar riffs that contrast the silky smooth nature of the rest of the track. While the whole album features science-fiction influences, this song, in particular, should transport you to a retro-futuristic intergalactic jazz bar, providing your system can capture its swooning, spacey atmosphere. 

Stream Four Out Of Five on:

Spotify

Apple Music

Tidal

MORE:

Check out 65 great British albums to test your hi-fi system

As well as our list of the best speakers

And best wireless headphones

BAFTAs 2023 live stream

The 2023 BAFTAs are free to watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. In the US, they'll be shown on Britbox, which costs $7.99 a month, but just $1.99 a month for the first two months if you sign up before 21st February. Going abroad? Use a VPN to watch your local stream while you're away from home.

• UK: Watch the BAFTAs 2023 live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• US: Watch the BAFTAs 2023 live on Britbox 
• Watch your local stream from abroad with ExpressVPN

BAFTAs 2023 live stream: preview

The 76th annual BAFTA Film Awards takes place on Sunday 19th February at the Royal Festival Hall within London's Southbank Centre. Every year, the shindig honours the best films of all nationalities – the only criteria is they must have been screened in British cinemas during the preceding year.

Leading the charge is the German language anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front with 14 nominations, equalling Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's record as the most-nominated foreign language film in the event's history. The Banshees of Inisherin and Everything Everywhere All At Once have 10 noms each.

British short films nominated include The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, Middle Watch, Your Mountain Is Waiting, The Ballad of Olive Morris, Bazigaga, Bus Girl, A Drifting Up and An Irish Goodbye.

There's also the Rising Star award, which is the only award voted on by the public. Nominee Daryl McCormack is joined by four former Rising Stars: Carey Mulligan (2010), Eddie Redmayne (2012), Barry Keoghan (2019) and Micheal Ward (2020).

Your host for the evening is Richard E Grant, who promises to take a more celebratory tone than the more irreverent awards hosts. He'll be joined by This Morning's Alison Hammond who'll host a new BAFTA Studio backstage area to give us a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the biggest nights in film.

For the first time, the final four category winners will be revealed live on the show. As with all live TV, anything can happen...

Using a VPN, you can watch your local live stream from wherever you are in the world.

How to watch the BAFTAs for free

The BBC will screen the BAFTAs completely free of charge on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Coverage starts at 7pm and lasts until 9pm.

Abroad? You can access BBC iPlayer from around the world by using a VPN.

You can also see the red carpet action on BAFTAs social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

US: watch BAFTAs live stream

In the US, Britbox is where you'll find a BAFTAs live stream. Britbox usually costs $7.99 a month, but you can get it for just $1.99 for the first two months on a deal – this is valid until 21st February.

Watch BAFTAs 2023 live stream from anywhere

You won't be able to watch your regular BAFTAs 2023 live stream while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you. You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though.

It's a straightforward piece of software which sets your device to appear as if it's in the right country, allowing you to watch the BAFTAs 2023 live stream from anywhere in the world.

We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN. It offers a 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.

How to use a VPN for the BAFTAs live stream

1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For the BAFTAs 2023, you may wish to choose 'UK' for BBC iPlayer.

3. Then head over to BBC iPlayer on your browser or device and enjoy the free 2023 BAFTAs live stream!

Australia: Watch BAFTAs live stream 2023

If you're in Australia, you can watch a BAFTAs live stream on Britbox. There's a seven-day free trial, after which it costs AU$89.99 a year or AU$8.99 a month. 

Outside Australia? Simply use a VPN to access your local BAFTAs live stream without being geo-blocked.

BAFTAs 2023 live stream start times

Global BAFTAs 2023 start times

• UK: 7pm 
• Central Europe: 8pm
• USA (EST/PST): 2pm / 11am
• Australia: 6am (Monday)
• New Zealand: 8am (Monday)

• Upgrade the action: best TVs
• Go big this year: best projectors

A Spy Among Friends, the new Cold War espionage thriller starring Emmy Award-winners Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, arrives on our screens this week. The six-part series dramatises Ben Macintyre's New York Times best-selling book on dastardly British double agent Kim Philby. A Spy Among Friends is free to watch on ITVX in the UK but read on for our guide on how to watch A Spy Among Friends from wherever you are in the world.

A Spy Among Friends is the true story of Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) and Kim Philby (Guy Pearce), two British spies and lifelong friends. Until, that is, Elliot discovers Philby is the most notorious MI6 defector and Soviet mole in history, betraying almost every Allied secret with the craft and cunning of a John Le Carre villain.

Billed as an intimate portrait of of Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, A Spy Among Friends explores Philby's treacherous exploits – and British/American intel failures – in six heart-pounding episodes. The superb supporting cast includes Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland), Stephen Kunken (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Adrian Edmondson (Bottom).

The first episode is called Boom-ooh-yatatatah. We're not sure how you're supposed to pronounce that. Hopefully all will be revealed when you watch it.

All six episodes of A Spy Among Friends will be available to stream exclusively on ITVX from 8th December 2022. Make sure you know how to watch A Spy Among Friends from wherever you are.

 Watch A Spy Among Friends for free

All six episodes of A Spy Among Friends will be available to stream free on ITVX from Thursday, 8th December. Need to sign up? Simply use your email address and a UK postcode (e.g. W12 7RU).

Travelling outside UK? You can use a VPN to access ITVX from anywhere. Full details just below...

How to watch A Spy Among Friends from abroad using a VPN

Even if you have signed up to ITVX, you won't be able to use the service when outside the UK. The service will know your location based on your IP address, and will automatically block your access.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps you get around this obstacle. A VPN creates a private connection between your device and the internet, so you can watch your favourite streaming services when travelling abroad.

There are many VPNs out there, but some are more reliable and safe than others. We prefer ExpressVPN which offers a 100 per cent risk-free money back guarantee and is excellent at unblocking streaming services

How to use a VPN for A Spy Among Friends

Using a VPN to watch A Spy Among Friends is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For ITVX, you should choose 'UK'.

3. Then head over to ITVX on your browser or device and enjoy the free A Spy Among Friends live stream.

US/Canada: A Spy Among Friends live stream

In the US and Canada, A Spy Among Friends will stream on Britbox. Subscription costs $6.99 a month or $69.99 annually. All six episodes are available from 9th December.

Don't forget: Brits who find themselves in US, Canada or anywhere far flung can use a VPN to stream all six episodes of A Spy Among Friends for free on ITVX. We recommend ExpressVPN. Details just above.

Australia: A Spy Among Friends live stream

BritBox Australia is the only place to find A Spy Among Friends live stream in Oz. Subscription costs AU$8.99 a month of AU$89.99 annually. New users get a 7-day free trial.

A Spy Among Friends episode 1 synopsis

In the wake of Kim Philby’s escape to Moscow, his closest friend in Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6.), Nicholas Elliott, is under investigation by Mrs. Lily Thomas from the Security Service (MI5). Did he facilitate Philby’s escape because he’s also a traitor working for the Russians, or is it just that his judgement was clouded at a critical moment by their twenty-three year friendship? Or maybe, just maybe, he in fact had the last laugh having manipulated Philby to run to the bosom of the KGB for foreign intelligence purposes.

A Spy Among Friends official trailer

• Browse our pick of the best TVs
• Save big with today's top cheap TV deals
  

ITV is taking on Netflix and Disney+ by launching a new streaming service. ITVX will offer viewers a new series every week, alongside live sports events and an "ever-changing library" of movies.

The service will be free to watch with ads. An optional subscription tier – rumoured to be called ITVX 'Plus' – will serve up a "starry" premiere each week and 15,000 hours of content.

ITVX will replace both ITV Hub and ITV Hub+ when it launches later this year.

The broadcaster hasn't said hasn't said how much it will charge for premium membership, but the monthly fee for ITV Hub+, which allows members to watch ad-free, is currently £3.99.

ITVX Plus subscribers will also get access to the thousands of box sets on Britbox, which charges £5.99 a month and serves up the "biggest streaming collection of British TV ever".

The launch of ITVX is part of ITV's move towards a "digital first" strategy, which means that "much of its new content" will air first on ITVX before arriving on its linear TV channels "months later".

So, what will you be able to watch on ITVX? The service will launch with a host of big-budget originals including A Spy Among Friends starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter, Litvinenko starring David Tennant and Sir Lenny Henry’s The Little Birds.

There will be 500 films available in the first year, plus 20 free (ad-supported) "themed" channels including 'True Crime', 'The Oxford Detectives' and '90s Favourites'.

"Our ambitions in the streaming world are not world domination," said Carolyn McCall, chief executive at ITV. "It is about being a national champion. It is compelling and our expectations of subscriber numbers have been modelled in a very realistic way."

With traditional TV advertising revenues dwindling as viewers switch to 'over-the-top' streaming services, ITV seems to be taking the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" route.

MORE:

Read our full Disney+ review

Best media streamers: The best TV streaming devices for watching

Battle of the streamers: Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix – which is better?

Roku sticks and streamers are an easy way to add missing apps and video streaming services to your TV, or add a smart platform to an otherwise non-internet-enabled television.

Roku has been in the media streamer game for longer than most and the US-based company is still in it for some very good reasons. Not only does Roku OS offer a virtually complete set of TV apps, it also happens to be one of the most straightforward and easy to use TV interfaces out there.

While you can buy the Roku system already integrated into a Roku TV, you can add the Roku OS to any set by plugging a Roku stick or streamer into an HDMI socket. It really is that simple.

Read on for our complete guide to what the Roku streaming platform offers and, if you're ready to take the plunge, where to find the best Roku stick deals.

What is Roku?

Roku is one of the most popular streaming platforms alongside Apple TV, Fire TV and Google TV.

Roku offers access to almost all the major subscription services, including, but not limited to – deep breath – Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, Now, Hulu, Showtime, Sling TV, HBO Go/Now, CBS All Access and ESPN, and, in the UK, all of the terrestrial catch-up services, Sky Store, BT Sport and Britbox.

Of course you'll need to subscribe to any premium services you want to watch, as Roku – much like Amazon Fire and Apple TV – is simply a gateway to these streaming services. But the choice is impressive.

Roku does also offer apps with free content, such as YouTube (for the time being), Crackle, PBS Kids and its own The Roku Channel. You also get PAYG and rental services such as FandangoNOW, Vudu and Google Play.

Beyond those, there are thousands of more niche services and channels that are great to discover. Golf, skateboarding, board games, kung-fu films – name your interest and you'll find something on Roku dedicated to just that. If there's anything you can't find you can always cast content from your tablet or mobile over AirPlay and mirror from Android too.

Beyond the content, the other great joy of Roku OS is that it's fabulously easy to use, with one of the best universal search facilities you'll find on a smart TV platform.

We also really like the Private Listen feature. Attach a set of headphones to a device with the Roku app on it (i.e. your phone or tablet) and you have all your TV's audio come through your cans instead of your TV. It's perfect for late night viewing and just the ticket if your TV is short of a headphones socket.

The only issue to bear in mind with Roku is, hopefully, a temporary one. Google and Roku have come to blows and the former is making moves to remove the YouTube apps from Roku OS, which is something of a pain. Whether or not this will actually materialise is another thing. Just make sure that you have an alternative way of getting YouTube on your screen just in case.

Sold? OK then. So which Roku streamer or Roku TV is best for you?

Should you buy a Roku stick?

There are various Roku sticks and streamers: there's the Roku Express, Roku Express 4K, Roku Streaming Stick+ and Roku Streaming Stick 4K to name just a few. There's also the Roku Streambar, which integrates the Roku streaming platform into a (small) soundbar-like speaker.

While all of these Roku sticks offer the same app and smart platform access, what differs is the video and audio quality that each one produces. While we haven't reviewed every Roku device, we can certainly still offer a guide to the general pros and cons of each.

Should you buy the Roku Express?

The Roku Express is the most affordable of the Roku streamers and it looks like something of a bargain. You get 1080p access to almost all the apps and video streaming services you could need as well as a load of those that you probably don't.

It can pass through both Dolby Audio and DTS sound to a compatible device and it, of course, still comes with the Roku remote control and full access to the mirroring technologies of Apple and Google.

Should you buy a Roku Express?

While prices are low, and when it's cheaper than the equivalent low-end Amazon Fire TV stick, there are few reasons not to. The only considerable caveat is that there are current threats from Google to pull the YouTube app from Roku OS, which would be a bit irritating if your TV does not already have YouTube access.

Should you buy a Roku LE (US-only)

At the time of writing, the Roku LE is available for just $15 at Walmart. It looks virtually identical to the Express apart from a different finish. At that price it appears to be a bargain.

Should you buy the Roku Express 4K? (UK-only)

One step up the range and about £10 more expensive (at full price) is the Roku Express 4K which, as the name suggests, brings 4K resolution to the Roku Express experience. That means 4K HDR (in the form of HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG) support for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and a bunch of the Roku's other apps.

It can pass through Dolby Audio and DTS, as before, but there is also Night Mode and Volume Levelling, which will reduce the dynamics at given volumes and ensure you don't wake the neighbours while watching late night action flicks. You can also use the USB port on the Roku Express 4K for local file playback from a hard drive or USB stick.

Should you buy a Roku Express 4K?

Again, this one's going to come down to price comparison and whether or not you're bothered by the threat of the removal of YouTube. The prices to look at are between the Express 4K and the likes of the Amazon Fire Stick 4K and Chromecast with Google TV. Both of these other two devices – and the more expensive Roku sticks below – also support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. You should only be buying the Express 4K if it's cheaper than those.

Should you buy a Roku Express 4K+ (US-only)

The Roku Express 4K+ is not available in the UK but US shoppers get the option to buy what actually looks like a slightly better device than the one above.

It's largely the same as above – HDR support, 4K content, USB playback – but this time it also comes with a Roku voice remote. That means you can search by speaking into the remote control. That may not sound like a big deal but the more we use media streamers, the more we've come to rely on the speedier search that voice interaction offers.

Should you buy a Roku Express 4K+?

In short, yes, but, as above, you'll need to compare the price to the Amazon Fire Stick 4K and Chromecast with Google TV first.

Should you buy a Roku Streaming Stick+?

The Roku Streaming Stick+ will allow you to watch 4K HDR material and that includes HDR10+ content but not Dolby Vision. Unlike the standard Roku Express 4K, you get a handy voice remote too but this time there's no USB port available for local file playback. The audio codec support is the same.

Should you buy the Roku Streaming Stick+?

The shape is different and there's no USB but we'd say that the addition of voice control is worth the small extra spend over the Roku Express 4K. Again, though, YouTube support is currently in the balance and do make sure that the better Amazon Fire TV 4K and Chromecast devices aren't available at the same price (or for less).

Should you buy a Roku Streaming Stick 4K?

This is the current pinnacle of Roku sticks in the UK and it looks like it could be a good one. Spec-wise, it's the best of all the other Roku streamers, with the addition of Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos passthrough of particular appeal. It also comes with a Roku voice remote.

Should you buy the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?

As much as we like the Roku platform, it's difficult recommend the Streaming Stick 4K over the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or Chromecast with Google TV at the moment because the prices are so similar and because you can guarantee YouTube access with the others. Of course, as we haven't yet tested it, we can't tell you how it compares to those others in terms of audio and video performance. It certainly could be the winner there, but we'd approach with a touch of caution – unless it gets a bigger discount than the others, of course.

Should you buy a Roku Streaming Stick 4K+? (US-only)

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ is a US-only edition of the Roku stick family. According to Roku, it's the same device as the Roku Streaming Stick 4K but with a better voice remote control.

How is it better? It's rechargeable, rather than disposable battery-operated. So, as long as you remember to charge it up every now and then, it's a greener, cleaner solution. But you won't, will you.

Should you buy a Roku Streaming Stick 4K+?

At the time of writing, the plain old Roku Streaming Stick 4K is way cheaper than this model with the rechargeable remote. If that's the case when you're looking to buy, then it seems obvious to go with the cheaper version. If prices are similar, then this would likely be the better choice.

Should you buy a Roku Ultra? (US-only)

The Roku Ultra is the top streamer for the States. It's listed in the US as the only one of the collection that can handle Dolby Atmos streams as well as providing Dolby Vision HDR support.

It comes with a voice remote, a premium HDMI cable included in the box and there's also a headphones socket onboard in case you'd like to plug in direct.

Should you buy a Roku Ultra?

If, indeed, as the marketing suggests, this is the only Atmos-enabled Roku streamer available in the States, then that's certainly a decent reason to choose it, provided you have a speaker that can put that Atmos content to use.

With the current price of the Ultra seriously reduced, the only competition here would be from Amazon or Google but there's little to separate these devices on paper.

Should you buy a Roku Streambar?

The Roku Streambar is the option for those who want a soundbar with the Roku smart platform built in. That means just one HDMI connection to your TV will give you an external speaker as well as access to all of the Roku apps and services.

The system comes with four 1.9-inch full-range drivers for sound – two forward and two side-facing. There's no Dolby Vision support nor any upward-facing drivers for Dolby Atmos sound. You can stream audio to it over Bluetooth as well as AirPlay and there's a USB for local playback as well. There is also an optical input. 

The voice remote is included with the UK but not US version.

Should you buy the Roku Streambar?

We gave the Roku Streambar a score of four stars at its full £130 so, should you find it cheaper, it would seem like very good value.

The feature set is obviously excellent and there's plenty of volume for a bigger audio performance than the one offered by the average TV. There are more cinematic-sounding bars, though.

Should you buy a Roku Streambar Pro? (US-only)

Those in the US can step the audio up a little with the Roku Streambar Pro. It's not a device we've had in for review but it certainly looks worthy of consideration.

The main bump over the standard Streambar is that this one is bigger, and that means bigger drive units with, one would expect, bigger and better sound.

The arrangement of those four drivers is similar but they're 2.5-inches across and there's some DSP (digital signal processing) inside to try to create a virtualised surround effect. There are also wireless surrounds and a subwoofer that can be added if you want to take things to the next level.

Should you buy the Roku Streambar Pro?

This is not one we've reviewed but bigger drive units and a voice remote are certainly welcome additions. The extra $30 or so seems, on paper, like money well spent.

• Shop the best Amazon Fire Stick 4K deals 2021

Roku TVs: Hisense and TCL

Of course, the other way to go with Roku is to buy a TV with the Roku platform built in. There's no stick required.

Generally speaking, these Roku TVs – made by TCL and Hisense – offer excellent value. Take a look to see if you should buy a Roku TV instead.

• Our pick of the best TVs 2021
• 35 best TV shows to watch on Netflix right now

Amazon Prime Video is a five-star streaming service and it gets even better when you know all its features. Prime Video's huge user base is in part down to the fact that it's one of the treats of the Amazon Prime package but also because it offers both subscription and pay-as-you-go access, and that means that there's no regular financial commitment if you don't want there to be.

A big user-base demands plenty of content, and that's why you'll find over 24,000 films and over 2000 TV shows to choose from. That includes stacks of 4K HDR material (in both HDR10+ and, to a far lesser extent, Dolby Vision) with Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio support.

Whether you’re a Prime Video pro or just thinking of signing up, here are a few tips and tricks to get the most out of the service.

• Take a look at our Amazon Prime Video review.
• Not sure which to sign up to? Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix is here.

Amazon Prime Video: pricing

You don't need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber to access all of the content on Prime Video but it definitely helps. Without any kind of monthly payment to the service you can still rent and buy titles on a pay-as-you-go basis, much as with movies and TV on iTunes.

Things get better with a subscription though. A subscription to Prime Video alone costs £5.99 ($8.99) per month and brings access to thousands of TV shows, boxsets, Amazon Originals and movies, in 4K HDR and with Dolby Atmos where available. Full Amazon Prime membership isn't much more, though (£7.99/$12.99), and that offers the same access to video content plus all the same-day and next-day shopping freedom on the rest of the site.

Even with a subscription, you'll still find that quite a few premium titles are not included. You'll need to rent/buy these as extras.

Add Channels

On top of the regular subscription, Prime Video can also act as a hub for hosting content from third-party providers. It lists these other providers under the Channels section. There you'll find the likes of Eurosport, Hayu, Britbox, Sundance Now, Mubi, BFIplayer, Discovery and many more depending on your region.

The prices vary according to the third-party service but you'll often find some exclusive deals, such introductory prices or extended free trials, if you sign up through Prime Video. Well worth a look, particularly when it comes to sport.

Amazon Prime Video: profiles & parental controls

Profiles

Amazon Prime Video will recommend TV shows and films based on your past viewing history, but what if you’re really into crime thrillers, your other half loves romantic comedies and the kids love cartoons?

The answer is to create different user profiles. You can have up to six on one account and they can be set as either adult or kids profiles. Kids profiles offer a more kid-friendly selection of films and shows but also allow parents to limit purchases and see what's being viewed from behind the scenes.

You'll find a drop-down menu where it says your user name and it's from there that you can add, remove and edit profiles.

You can stream up to three films or TV shows (although not the same one) simultaneously from the same Amazon Prime Video account on different devices.

Parental controls

Parental controls are also important if don’t want your little ones coming across adult content. The solution is to set up a four-digit PIN. You can do this on the web by going into the 'Settings' of the Prime Video section of Amazon’s site, and also in the mobile app's settings.

Once set, you can restrict access to certain content based on the age certificate of that film or show and also by the device that's being used. So, you can keep the 18s flowing on your main TV but lock it down to just PGs on the kids' tablet, for example.

Do bear in mind that from Fire TV kit and Xboxes, this will have to be done on the devices themselves.

Amazon Prime Video: buy or stream?

Amazon Prime Video has a mixture of content available to purchase and to stream with your Video subscription - but how do you know which is which?

If there’s a blue Prime banner in the top left corner of the show’s icon, that means the series is free to stream with your subscription. However, just because a show is part of a Prime Video subscription, it doesn’t mean that each and every episode or series will be. You might get seasons three and five of Line of Duty, for example, but you'd have to purchase or rent the others to watch the lot.

The more recent series eventually become free but they can take a while. Amazon Originals, however, don't suffer from this issue – all episodes available to Prime Members from the get-go without having to pay extra.

Amazon Prime Video: 4K HDR

Streaming 4K Ultra HD video

With all Prime Video subscribers given access to 4K Ultra HD content, it would be remiss not to make the most of it. On Amazon’s TV app for smart televisions there’s a 4K UHD category with some of its most recent, or promoted, content.

Similarly, you can search for ‘4K’ or ‘Ultra HD’ in the search bar to bring up the top-resolution videos. However, the search results might not be complete. You can only tell for sure if a TV show or movie is 4K by clicking on it.

Streaming HDR video

HDR video – including Dolby Vision (on compatible televisions, such as LG TVs) and HDR10+ (on Samsung TVs) – is a little more difficult to spot than 4K, as there isn’t a set category for it on the main screen. Amazon’s search function is also not reliable. When typing in ‘HDR’ it recommends plenty of HDR content but a fair bit that's SDR too.

Thankfully, there's an HDR badge to look out for when you click through to the content itself, but there are no icons for Dolby Vision or HDR10+. You'll just have to suck it and see for those. Don't spend too long hunting for Dolby Vision content, though, as there's only a tiny amount of it on Prime Video. HDR10+ is far more widespread.

Amazon Prime Video: audio, subtitles, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos

Prime Video content generally comes with 5.1 sound, but there's also a small amount that boasts Dolby Atmos. Most devices, including most smart TVs, games consoles, Amazon devices, Android devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, some Blu-ray players and set-top-boxes, will simply play the best format available.

Unfortunately, the iOS app doesn't support Atmos or 5.1. Even if extending content to Atmos-enabled devices from there, they'll still be stuck with stereo soundtracks.

Changing subtitles

Sometimes you might want to enjoy the sound of silence and flick on the subtitles. To do that, hit the the up arrow on a smart TV remote and navigate to the ‘Closed Captioning’ icon, or use the options button on an Amazon Fire remote. In the mobile app, simply tap the dialogue box in the top right corner while watching.

You can change how they look, too. In Prime Video's website settings, you can choose between four editable presets. From there, you can adjust text colour, typeface, size and opacity.

Many, but not all, Prime Video titles include subtitles, alternative tracks, audio descriptions, or a combination of those.

Amazon Prime Video: app

The Prime Video app is available on both iOS and Android, in both tablet and mobile form. Given that you'll be taking these devices all over the place, you'll want to think about downloads, resolution and your mobile connection.

Downloading shows

If you're using a tablet or smartphones to watch shows and want to save on data, you can download content to your device for offline viewing.

On selected films and TV shows (usually, but not exclusively, those made by Amazon or solely available on their platform) you can tap the little download arrow to save it to your device. Amazon kindly runs a few sections on the home page where it's grouped all the downloadable shows.

The ones you’ve got offline can all be found in the ‘Download’ tab under 'My Stuff' on the menu at the bottom of the main screen of the mobile app. You can download between 15-25 pieces of content depending on your region.

You can have the same title downloaded on two different devices using the same account but no more than that. It's also worth noting that Windows 10 users can enjoy downloads too, and that there's no casting or mirroring of downloads from mobile devices.

Changing resolution

Of course, you might not want a three-hour film downloaded in its highest quality as it's going to fill up your smart device's storage space mighty fast. So, go to the app's settings (the cog icon under 'My Stuff') and click on ‘Download Quality’.

There, you can change between three tiers of video quality: Good, Better, Best or Data Saver. These range from using around 0.14GB per hour of footage to 0.46GB per hour.

And if you want to ensure content is only downloaded over wi-fi (saving you from accidentally using up your precious mobile data), there’s a toggle switch for that too.

Streaming shows

As with downloads, the Prime Video app also has settings for changing the quality of the shows you’re watching over mobile data – again on a Good, Better, Best, Data Saver scale.

You can also decide whether you want to stream exclusively over wi-fi and, if not, whether you want a notification when the app is using up your data.

Disabling autoplay

You’re on a long train journey, you open up your favourite TV series, nod off and wake up to discover you’re seven seasons deep and you’ve used up all your data allowance.

Amazon can help with that. Under the Settings menu is a toggle for turning Auto Play on or off. No more unintentional binges of Parks and Recreation.

Using X-ray

One of Prime Video’s most interesting features is X-Ray, which lets you see actor biographies, trivia and other information on top of your show. It's taken straight from IMDb (which is owned by Amazon).

Tapping anywhere on the screen on iOS, Android or Fire devices will bring it up, so no more struggling to recall a supporting actor.

Amazon Prime Video: watchlists & recommendations

Adding to your Watchlist

Too many shows, not enough time? Add them to your Watchlist so you're never stuck for anything to watch again.

Choose a TV show or film, either on the website or in the mobile or television app, and just press the ‘Add to Watchlist’ or plus button.

To find your watchlist, navigate to the 'My Stuff' section.

Removing videos

Removing videos from your watchlist is just as easy as adding them. Head to your watchlist in the My Stuff section and hit the remove icon. You may find that option under a menu on a mobile device.

Of course, if you’ve watched something particularly embarrassing you can also remove it from your history altogether.

Click on the settings cog next to your profile icon and hit the Watch History tab under 'Accounts & Settings'. There you can remove videos completely, or just tick a box that tells Amazon not to recommend any other similar shows.

Improving recommendations

You can hide videos, too, by pressing the Hide button on the content itself. It's worth doing this if you've seen something and didn't like it or just don't want to touch it in the first place.

Hidden Videos are not used as part of Prime Video's recommendation algorithms. They won't turn up as suggestions on the home page and will cause similar content not to appear as well. You can edit your Hidden Videos list in the 'Accounts & Settings' section.

Buying movies

Of course, if a box-set or film isn’t available to stream for free, you can always buy a digital copy. Any content purchased through Prime Video appears in the ‘Purchases’ section on any device which you'll find under 'My Stuff'. Of course, it's worth checking whether the show or movie is available for free with one of your other streaming subscriptions. The JustWatch app, available for iOS and Android, is great for that.

Start a Watch Party

Found something you think your friend might enjoy? How about watching it together. Much like Teleparty, Amazon has its own Watch Party mode. Just hit the little party button on the video you want to watch, make sure that both you and your friend have access to it, and away you go. You can invite up to 100 people using the party link and then IM and drop emojis and pics as per usual.

The limitations, though, are that you can't have international parties and that it doesn't work on all devices and browsers, including Safari and Internet Explorer.

Prime Video: Bonus tips

De-registering devices

So you’ve decided to sell your Android or iOS device, money has been exchanged and you’re driving away. But wait! You’ve left your Amazon Video account logged in!

Rather than relinquish your streaming service to someone else, you can go into the settings on the Amazon website and head to 'Manage your content and devices'. Hit the 'Devices' tab and then scroll down to the Prime Video icon which you can press to get a list of all your connected kit. Anything you don't own any more, just hit the deregister button.

Submitting a script

Sadly, Amazon Studios no longer accepts script submissions from all and sundry. However, filmmakers can share their work direct with Prime Video's audience with Prime Video Direct. You can also share work with industry professionals on IMDb Pro and see what goes from there.

And if you do become the next big thing, do let us know via Facebook or Twitter. Not least because we’d like a tiny cut of the royalties.

• Best TVs: budget to premium 4K Ultra HD TVs
• Best soundbars: the best TV speakers you can buy

It's been a busy week for Amazon Prime Video – first the streaming service came to Sky, and now it's available on Freesat, too.

The free-to-air satellite TV service now offers Prime Video alongside its other channels. Existing Prime members can head to the On Demand section on Freesat and log in to their Amazon account. Not a member? No problem. You can sign up and start a free 30-day Prime trial just as you can on other platforms.

• How to watch Amazon Prime Premier League fixtures for free

"Amazon Prime Video is a hugely welcome addition to the Freesat service," said Alistair Thom, CEO of Freesat. "Streaming services are of course going from strength to strength and the range of content that Prime Video brings to our existing free-to-air service allows us to offer our customers a unique hybrid service. They will have a virtually endless choice of content to pick from, all without being chained to paying a monthly pay TV subscription."

Prime Video joins Freesat's other services, including Netflix, UKTV Play, Britbox and BBC Sounds. Earlier this week, it landed on Sky in a joint deal that sees Sky's streaming service Now TV become available on Fire TV streaming devices.

MORE:

Here are 22 of the best TV shows on Amazon Prime Video

Become a streaming ninja: 18 Amazon Prime Video tips, 4K, HDR, mobile and other features

As Humax picks up the What Hi-Fi? Award for the best non-subscription set-top box for four years, we were beginning to wonder if the company was just kicking back and resting on its laurels. But it appears not – the company has just launched the first-ever Android TV-powered 4K recorder with Freeview Play. 

The Humax Aura can be seen as a PVR or a Chromecast with benefits. Its Android TV system means it comes chocked with all Google has to offer on the media streaming front, i.e. Google Assistant voice control, plus access to more than 5,000 apps from the Google Play store and the ability to easily cast Chromecast-supported apps from your phone, tablet or laptop to your TV screen.

On the set-top box side of things are 70+ channels available courtesy of Freeview Play, space for up to 1000 hours of storage, and enough digital tuners that you can record up to four programmes at once while watching a fifth.

It will play hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz, as well as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D audio formats, through its HDMI port.

But the big jump for the Humax Aura, compared to the multi-Award-winning Humax FVP-5000T PVR, is its ability to record 4K HDR content. The pairing of Freeview Play and Android TV also means that there should be fewer app gaps with the likes of All 4 and, hopefully, Britbox all present and correct alongside big hitters such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and BT Sport.

Another handy addition is the Kids' Zone, an area with children-safe material – including timed content.

The Humax Aura is available from November in the UK and comes in two sizes – 1TB (£249, about AU$459) and 2TB (£279, about AU$519). Australian pricing and availability is yet to be announced.

MORE:

Take a look at our best set-top boxes Award-winners.

And glance through the best TVs on Amazon right now.

BritBox, the UK TV streaming service from BBC and ITV, is just over a month old – but not every TV provider and manufacturer has instantly jumped to support its app. Samsung's smart TVs were the first with a built-in BritBox app, joining the Apple TV platform and dedicated apps on iOS and Android.

Today, though, Panasonic has announced support for select TVs. The BritBox app now features on all 2019 TVs apart from the GX700 models; the X700B TVs and all above models from 2018, including the FZ series; and the EX, EZ, DX and CX series TVs.

The app can be found in the app portal's home screen, as well as in the top row banner for easier access. 

MORE:

BritBox UK streaming service opens its doors with Channel 4 on board

What is BritBox? The new BBC and ITV streaming service explained

Panasonic 2019 TVs: 4K, OLED, LCD – everything you need to know

A new TV streaming service is on the horizon, and it's more British than a cup of builder's tea. BritBox is a joint effort from terrestrial broadcasters the BBC and ITV. It aims to bring together the best of British TV, including comedy, drama, soaps, factual programming, light entertainment and everything else in between.

But it has its work cut out. Streaming has completely changed the TV landscape in recent years. Netflix currently dominates, with around 140 million customers worldwide, but there's strong competition from Amazon Prime Video, as well as US-only rivals Hulu, Sling, HBO Now and CBS All Access.

And the field is only going to get more crowded. Tech giant Apple is poised to launch its own streaming service, Apple TV+, while Disney+ will also launch before the end of the year. Apple TV+ offers exclusive content from the likes of Steven Spielberg and Oprah, while Disney+ brings together Disney's awesome back catalogue, plus its Marvel and Star Wars properties. It will also be cheaper than Netflix.

So can the plucky BritBox carve out a niche for itself? You know us Brits love an underdog...

• Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix - which is better?

What is BritBox?

It's a new streaming service from both the BBC and ITV. It promises to bring together the biggest collection of British TV content ever found on a streaming service, combining current and classic boxsets for viewing on-demand. BritBox will also be investing in the creation of brand new original content, much like Netflix Originals. Basically, BritBox is the BBC and ITV's rival to Netflix.

The service will be ad-free, and talks are ongoing about bringing more content partners on board. In fact, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon has confirmed that the broadcaster is interested in joining BritBox. In March 2019, she told an industry conference: "Of course, we are having positive and constructive discussions with ITV and the BBC about how Channel 4 could partner with them to build the scale of BritBox." So we could see Channel 4 shows like early Black Mirror and Humans available on BritBox.

Is BritBox really new?

It is in the UK but it actually launched in the US back in 2017,  where it has racked up half a million subscribers.

The UK launch has been a long time coming. Back in 2008, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 teamed up to launch a joint streaming service called Project Kangaroo, but it was deemed anti-competitive by the Competition Commission. Eleven years later, that seems less of an issue, probably because of the inexorable rise of Netflix.

What content will BritBox show?

It's a mix of old and new shows from both the Beeb and ITV. Recent series include Tutankhamun, Cold Feet and Silent Witness, along with soaps like EastEnders and Emmerdale. These join classics like Pride and Prejudice, Inspector Morse, Keeping Up Appearances and Fawlty Towers. We would be amazed if Only Fools and Horses wasn't also available.

The BritBox website also shows recent fare from both broadcasters, including period drama Victoria and serial crime drama Broadchurch. So far, only McMafia, Last Tango in Halifax, Les Misérables and Gavin & Stacey have been confirmed for the UK version.

Both the ITV and BBC have extensive back catalogues, so expect BritBox's content library to go deep.

The service will also commission its own original content, though there's no word on exactly what this will entail. While it would be great to see world-class productions, neither broadcaster has pockets as deep as Netflix, so don't expect lavish big-budget efforts to rival The Crown.

How does BritBox compare to iPlayer?

Hang on, you might be thinking, surely I can get all this on iPlayer and ITV Hub? Some of it you can, but not all. Recent shows are added to both services but they disappear after 30 days. 

You also can't get the classic shows. iPlayer has a smattering of classic boxsets (like Blackadder II, at the time of writing), but it's fairly random in what it decides to make available. With BritBox, you'll have access to those vintage shows for an extended period of time.

BritBox doesn't have adverts either. That's not a problem on BBC iPlayer, but ITV Hub has more than its fair share of ads. At the moment, to watch ITV shows without ads you need ITV Hub+, which costs £3.99 a month.

What devices will BritBox work on?

In the US, BritBox is currently available as an app on iOS and Android, as well as on Roku, Apple TV and Google Chromecast. 

Expect this list to grow when it reaches these shores - we would expect to see it on games consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, for example, as well as smart TVs made by the likes of LG, Samsung and Panasonic.

When does BritBox launch in the UK?

This hasn't been confirmed. According to the press release put out at the end of February, BritBox hopes to launch in the second half of 2019. Though it's worth noting that the BBC and ITV are in "the concluding phase of talks", so it's not yet a done deal. 

The service will also need to get the green light from the Competition and Markets Authority (which has since taken the place of the Competition Commission) and media regulator Ofcom.

How much will BritBox cost?

As for the BritBox price, all we have is "competitive". Netflix starts at £5.99 a month in the UK for the basic package, so we would expect it to come in under a fiver.

Even considering the heaving back catalogues of both the BBC and ITV, it would be insane for BritBox to charge any more than that, considering all of the BBC and ITV's current shows are available for free on their respective catch-up platforms.

BritBox: Early verdict

The reaction has not been overwhelmingly positive. Writing in The Guardian, media commentator Mark Lawson calls BritBox "hugely risky", and points out the many challenges facing the service: deep-pocketed US rivals; the fact the BBC doesn't 'own' most of its hit shows as they're made by independent production companies (some of which are actually part of ITV Studios); and the fact the BBC also can't spend licence fee money on the service.

It's an uphill road ahead, then. We'll be updating this page with more BritBox news and developments as they happen.

MORE: 

The best 4K movies and TV shows to watch right now

Best video streaming services

Best TV streaming boxes