Acorn TV Review: British & International TV, Movies & More

If you are looking for a niche streaming platform with content from British and International television, Acorn TV is one of your best shots. The service offers an extensive content library featuring mysteries, dramas, comedies, and documentaries. Most of this content is sourced from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and even Canada. The best of all is the content library caters to a dedicated audience that values quality storytelling and offers a complete entertainment package.

One of the things that distinguishes Acorn TV from other mainstream networks is its curated selection. So, here, you will find a massive library where each title is handpicked for a particular kind of audience. The platform also has exclusive rights to several popular series and partnerships with other networks, which only makes it a go-to choice for a movie night. However, how well the service is is something we are going to discuss in this review, helping you make a pick on whether you should be subscribing to it or skipping it. 

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Acorn TV: British & International TV, Movies, and More

Pricing and Plans

Acorn TV offers an attractive pricing structure with two subscription tiers: $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (+ taxes, wherever applicable). The annual plan brings down the monthly cost to about $6.67, excluding taxes, which is a fair compensation for regular viewers. It is unlikely that such competitive pricing will be seen for streaming British cinema works, especially for its niche focus. 

The platform also offers a 7-day free trial, allowing new users to test the platform first, look around to find something of interest and subscribe if they find it a right fit. Also, it is a low-risk option for those on the fence. For fans of British and International TV, Acorn TV’s pricing is a bargain, mainly when new content is regularly updated.

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Content Library

Acorn TV offers a huge content library, mainly focusing on British and International dramas and genres such as mysteries, thrillers, comedies, and documentaries. The library includes iconic shows like Midsomer Murders, Vera, and Agatha Raisin, which are some of the popular mystery and crime picks among the audience. For emotional narratives and immersive experiences, dramas such as A Place to Call Home and The Indian Doctor are a few of the best recommendations. 

While the platform partners with several top production houses, Acorn TV is also popular for its originals, such as “Queens of Mystery and Deadwater Fell,” which appeal to fans of mysteries and thrillers. In addition, Acorn TV offers early access to certain shows, giving subscribers the opportunity to watch brand-new episodes before they become available elsewhere.

Acorn TV also features several period dramas and international series, bringing a well-rounded, global selection to its subscribers. Whether you’re into historical dramas like The Indian Doctor or cozy mysteries like Agatha Raisin, the platform’s focused content makes it a top choice for those who want a curated British TV experience. Though it doesn’t have a massive content library like Netflix, Acorn TV shines in its ability to provide viewers with high-quality, niche programming that’s harder to find on larger platforms.

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User Experience

Acorn TV offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for viewers to browse through its categories and discover new content. The homepage is structured around genre-specific sections, such as Mysteries, New Releases, and Dramas, which help users quickly find the types of shows they’re most interested in. However, the personalization algorithms are not as strong as those of mainstream channels like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. These recommendations are based on general viewing and categories rather than user-specific habits.

You can effectively look for your favorite title using the search function, which allows users to find content by title, genre, or even the actor. Once you start finding more titles, you can quickly add them to your watchlist and save them to view later.

However, Acorn TV does not offer offline viewing, which limits flexibility for those who want to stream shows while traveling or without a stable internet connection.

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Streaming Performance

Acorn TV offers HD-quality streaming, with most shows available in 1080p. For a service focused on storytelling and character-driven dramas, the lack of 4K support is not a deal-breaker. However, users accustomed to the crystal-clear visuals of ultra-high-definition streaming might find the platform’s video quality somewhat lacking. Still, the consistent HD quality is more than sufficient for the type of content offered, which tends to rely more on dialogue and atmosphere than flashy visual effects.

Streaming on Acorn TV is smooth, with minimal lag and interruptions, even on slower internet connections. The platform automatically adjusts video quality based on the user’s internet speed, ensuring a stable viewing experience. The audio quality is also reliable, with clear dialogue that enhances the immersive experience of watching British dramas and mysteries.

We also tested streaming Acorn TV outside the streaming region using NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and they worked flawlessly. British streaming platforms like Acorn TV or BBC iPlayer are quite strict with geo-unblocking, and most free or paid VPNs fail. We were able to stream with minimal buffering or connection drops, and this is a huge upside.

Although HD streaming is standard, the platform’s lack of offline viewing is a downside for viewers who like to watch content while traveling or in places where Wi-Fi might be unreliable.

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Exclusive Features

Acorn TV’s biggest strength is its collection of exclusive British television shows and original series that can’t be found on other streaming platforms. The platform is home to several critically acclaimed Acorn TV Originals, including Queens of Mystery, Dead Still, and Keeping Faith. These exclusives, along with its early access to popular British shows, give Acorn TV an edge over other services like BritBox, which focuses on a broader range of British TV content.

One unique aspect of Acorn TV is its ability to offer early premieres of certain shows before they’re made available on other platforms, giving subscribers first access to new episodes of fan-favorite series. The platform also features several documentaries on British history, culture, and notable figures, adding depth to its content library and providing a more well-rounded viewing experience for subscribers who want to learn more about British and international culture.

Acorn TV does not offer a lot of bonus content like behind-the-scenes features or director’s commentary, but the quality of its exclusive programming makes up for this. For fans of British television, the platform’s exclusive access to certain series is one of its most appealing features.

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Device Compatibility

Acorn TV is widely accessible on multiple platforms, making it easy for users to stream content from various devices. The platform is compatible with iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and web browsers on both Mac and Windows. This versatility ensures that users can watch their favorite British shows, whether they’re on their phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer, as per their comfort and convenience.

Similar to most mainstream platforms, Acorn TV allows users to start watching a show on one device and continue watching it on another device without losing the playback progress. This feature is called cross-platform syncing and is a must-have these days.

However, one of the platform’s biggest limitations is the absence of offline viewing. While many streaming platforms now offer the option to download content for viewing without an internet connection, Acorn TV requires users to stream content online, which can be a big downside for those who frequently commute/travel or have limited internet access.

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Parental Controls

One area where Acorn TV could improve is in its parental controls. The platform does not currently offer specific options for restricting content or filtering shows based on age ratings. Since much of the content on Acorn TV is geared toward adults—particularly in genres like crime, mystery, and drama—this lack of parental controls might be a concern for families sharing a single account.

While the platform’s content is generally suitable for adults and older teens, parents may need to manually supervise their children’s viewing, as there are no built-in tools for blocking specific shows or restricting access to mature content. For a platform that targets a more mature audience, this may not be a major issue, but it’s worth considering for families who share accounts or have their accounts logged in on a common device.

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Customer Support

Acorn TV provides email support and a comprehensive Help Center that offers detailed answers to common questions about account management, subscriptions, technical issues, and more. The Help Center is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it a useful resource for users looking to troubleshoot issues on their own.

For users who require additional support, Acorn TV offers email-based assistance, with response times typically within 24 to 48 hours. However, the platform does not provide live chat or phone support, which can be a drawback for those who need immediate help. While email support is effective for most general inquiries, users experiencing more complex issues may find the lack of real-time support frustrating.

Overall, Acorn TV’s customer service is efficient and generally meets the needs of its subscribers, but the addition of live chat or phone support would greatly improve the user experience.

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Competition

Acorn TV operates in the niche of British and international TV, where it faces competition primarily from services like BritBox. While both platforms offer a wide range of British content, BritBox focuses more heavily on classic BBC and ITV shows, whereas Acorn TV offers a more curated selection of originals and exclusive series not available on BritBox.

In comparison to larger platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Acorn TV’s library is much smaller and more focused, making it an ideal choice for viewers who prefer high-quality dramas and mysteries over mainstream content. Additionally, Acorn TV frequently offers early access to new series, giving it an edge over broader streaming platforms that may not prioritize British content.

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Most Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

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Wrapping up: Acorn TV is Excellent Choice for British and International TV

Acorn TV is an excellent choice for fans of British and international television, offering a carefully curated library of mysteries, dramas, and comedies. Its affordable pricing, exclusive series, and original content make it a strong contender in the niche streaming market. While it lacks features like offline downloads and 4K streaming, the platform excels in delivering quality British programming that is hard to find elsewhere.

If you’re a fan of crime dramas, period pieces, or cozy mysteries, Acorn TV is well worth the investment. However, it may not be suitable for viewers seeking a more diverse range of content or those who need family-friendly controls.