A Clear Answer on the Cost of ITVX
Let’s get straight to the point. If you’re wondering how much ITVX is per month, the simple answer is that it has two main options: it can be completely free, or it costs £5.99 per month for the Premium version. The choice really boils down to whether you’re happy to watch ads and what kind of content you’re looking for.
Of course, there’s a lot more to it than just that. ITVX isn’t just one service; it’s a two-tiered platform designed to cater to different viewers. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down exactly what you get for your money (or for your time, if you choose the free route), explore the annual subscription savings, see how it stacks up against competitors like Netflix, and ultimately help you decide if upgrading to ITVX Premium is the right move for you.
The Two Tiers of ITVX: Free vs. Premium Explained
Before ITVX launched in late 2022, you probably remember using the ITV Hub. Think of ITVX as the supercharged evolution of that service. It was created to be a genuine streaming destination rather than just a simple catch-up service. The key to understanding its pricing is to understand the fundamental difference between its two versions.
ITVX Free: What Do You Get for £0?
For a huge number of people in the UK, the free, ad-supported version of ITVX is more than enough. This is the default experience you get when you sign up for an account without entering any payment details. It’s funded entirely by advertisements, which play before and during the on-demand shows you watch, much like traditional broadcast television.
But don’t let the “free” tag fool you; it’s actually a pretty substantial offering. Here’s what’s included:
- Full Catch-Up Service: You get access to shows from all of ITV’s channels (ITV1, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4, and CITV) for up to 30 days after they first air. If you missed last night’s Corrie or the latest episode of a Sunday night drama, this is where you’ll find it.
- A Vast Library of Box Sets: Unlike the old ITV Hub, ITVX offers thousands of hours of on-demand content for free. This includes classic ITV dramas, reality shows, and comedies from the archives.
- ITVX Originals and Exclusives: To compete in the streaming world, ITV now commissions its own exclusive shows, branded as “ITVX Originals.” Many of these premiere on ITVX for free (with ads) months before they ever appear on the traditional ITV channels.
- Live TV Streaming: You can watch all the ITV channels live directly through the app or website, perfect for if you’re away from a television but don’t want to miss a big event like the FA Cup final or the I’m A Celebrity… final.
- Curated FAST Channels: These are “Free Ad-supported Streaming Television” channels. They are themed, 24/7 channels dedicated to specific shows or genres, like a non-stop channel for The Chase or a channel dedicated to crime dramas.
In short, the free tier is a powerful catch-up service and a decent streaming library rolled into one. The only real “cost” is the time you spend watching adverts.
ITVX Premium: Unlocking the Full Experience
This is the paid subscription service and the one most people are curious about when asking “how much is ITVX per month?”. ITVX Premium is designed for viewers who want more content, more features, and fewer interruptions.
The Core Question: How Much is ITVX Premium Per Month?
The standard price for ITVX Premium is refreshingly straightforward, especially compared to the multi-tiered, complex pricing of some other streaming services.
Here are the current UK prices for ITVX Premium:
- Monthly Plan: £5.99 per month.
- Annual Plan: £59.99 per year.
If you opt for the annual plan, you’re essentially paying for 10 months and getting 12, which works out to a saving of £11.89 over the year compared to paying monthly. This brings the effective monthly cost down to just under £5, making it a great option if you know you’ll be using the service long-term.
| Subscription Plan | Cost | Equivalent Monthly Cost | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITVX Premium (Monthly) | £5.99 | £5.99 | N/A |
| ITVX Premium (Annual) | £59.99 | ~£5.00 | £11.89 |
What Do You Get for Your Money? The Benefits of ITVX Premium
So, what does that £5.99 a month actually get you? The upgrade is about much more than just removing commercials. It fundamentally changes the content and user experience.
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Completely Ad-Free On-Demand Viewing*
This is the biggest and most obvious benefit. All on-demand box sets, movies, and catch-up content can be watched without a single ad break. You can binge-watch an entire series without being interrupted every 10-15 minutes.
*It’s crucial to note that live TV still has ads. Because you are watching a direct simulcast of the broadcast channel, the ad breaks are part of that live feed and cannot be removed. -
The Entire BritBox Library
This is perhaps the most significant value-add of the Premium subscription. ITVX Premium includes a full BritBox subscription. Before ITVX’s launch, BritBox was a separate service (a joint venture between ITV and the BBC) costing £5.99 a month on its own. Now, its vast catalogue of classic British television is integrated directly into ITVX Premium. This adds thousands of hours of iconic shows from the archives of the BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5. Think Fawlty Towers, classic Doctor Who, Spitting Image, Pride and Prejudice, and countless other beloved programmes. -
Access to StudioCanal Presents
In addition to the TV shows, Premium subscribers get access to a curated selection of over 400 films from the acclaimed StudioCanal library. This includes critically lauded British and international films, offering a solid movie library that the free tier lacks. -
Download Shows to Your Device
For commuters, frequent flyers, or anyone with unreliable Wi-Fi, this is a game-changer. Premium allows you to download most shows and films to your smartphone or tablet. You can then watch them offline wherever you are, without using any mobile data.
Testing the Waters: The ITVX Premium Free Trial
If you’re on the fence, the good news is that you don’t have to commit straight away. ITVX almost always offers a free trial of its Premium service, which is typically 7 days long.
This allows you to experience all the benefits firsthand: binge-watch some ad-free box sets, explore the BritBox catalogue, and download a few episodes for your journey to work. It’s a completely risk-free way to determine if the service is worth the monthly cost for you.
How to Sign Up for the Free Trial:
- Go to the ITVX website or open the app on your preferred device.
- Create a free ITVX account if you don’t already have one.
- Navigate to the “Premium” section or look for a button that says “Start Free Trial.”
- You will need to enter your payment details (credit/debit card or PayPal). This is to ensure a smooth transition to a paid plan if you decide not to cancel.
- Enjoy your 7 days of Premium access!
A very important note: You must remember to cancel your subscription before the 7-day trial period ends if you don’t wish to be charged. Set a reminder on your phone! If you don’t cancel, you will be automatically billed for the first month’s fee of £5.99.
ITVX vs. The Competition: A Price Showdown
At £5.99, how does ITVX Premium’s cost compare to the other major players in the UK streaming market? Its value proposition is quite unique, focusing heavily on British content.
| Streaming Service | Starting Price (with ads) | Standard Ad-Free Price | Primary Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITVX Premium | N/A (Free tier exists) | £5.99 | British TV (New & Classic), UK Exclusives |
| Netflix | £4.99 | £10.99 | Global Originals, Hollywood Movies, TV Shows |
| Amazon Prime Video | £5.99 (included with Prime) | £8.98 (Prime + Ad-Free) | Global Originals, Live Sport, Movie Rentals |
| Disney+ | £4.99 | £7.99 | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic |
| NOW (Entertainment) | N/A | £9.99 | Sky & HBO Exclusive Shows |
| Apple TV+ | N/A | £8.99 | High-Budget Apple Originals |
As you can see, the ITVX Premium price is highly competitive. It’s cheaper than the standard ad-free plans from Netflix, Disney+, NOW, and Apple TV+. Its closest rival in price is now Amazon Prime Video’s ad-supported tier. However, its true strength lies in its specialized library. If you’re looking for the best of British television, past and present, no other service comes close for the price.
Signing Up and Managing Your Subscription
Getting started with ITVX Premium is straightforward. The primary way is to sign up directly on the ITVX website. However, you can also subscribe through third-party platforms, which can sometimes cause confusion.
- Direct Subscription: This is the simplest method. You visit the ITVX website, go to the Premium page, and enter your payment details. You then manage your subscription—including cancellation—directly through your account settings on the ITVX website.
- Through an App Store (Apple/Google): If you sign up via the ITVX app on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, your payment and subscription will likely be managed by Apple or Google. To cancel, you would need to go into your device’s “Subscriptions” settings, not the ITVX website.
- Through Amazon Prime Video Channels: You can also add ITVX Catch-up (which includes BritBox content, similar to Premium) as a “Channel” within your Amazon Prime Video account. The price is the same, but your billing and cancellation are handled entirely by Amazon.
The Final Verdict: Is an ITVX Premium Subscription Worth It for You?
We’ve covered the cost, the features, and the competition. So, what’s the bottom line? Is paying the monthly fee for ITVX Premium a worthwhile investment? The answer really depends on your personal viewing habits.
An ITVX Premium subscription is likely worth it for you if:
- You Despise Adverts: If you find ad breaks jarring and they ruin your viewing experience, the £5.99 fee is a small price to pay for uninterrupted binging.
- You Are a British TV Aficionado: The inclusion of the full BritBox catalogue is the killer feature. If you love classic comedies, nostalgic dramas, and deep dives into British TV history, Premium is an absolute bargain.
- You Want to Download Shows: For anyone who relies on offline viewing for travel or commuting, this feature alone can justify the cost.
- You Want a More Curated Movie Selection: The StudioCanal Presents library adds a touch of class and provides a solid, well-regarded collection of films that you won’t find on the free tier.
You might be better off sticking with the free ITVX tier if:
- You Primarily Use it for Catch-Up: If you only hop on ITVX to watch a show you missed last night, and you’re not interested in deep catalogue content, the free tier does the job perfectly well.
- You Aren’t Bothered by Ads: If you grew up with broadcast TV, you might be perfectly accustomed to ad breaks. If they don’t annoy you, then there’s no need to pay to remove them.
- Your Streaming Budget is Already Stretched: With so many services available, sometimes another subscription is one too many. The free ITVX tier is an excellent, budget-friendly option that still provides a huge amount of content.
Ultimately, the move from ITV Hub to the dual-tiered ITVX platform was a smart one. It allows ITV to offer a robust, free, ad-supported service that serves the needs of the majority of its audience, while also providing a compelling, competitively priced premium option for those who want the ultimate British television streaming experience.