ITV, one of the leading British television companies, introduced ITVX last year, its brand-new streaming platform that succeeds ITV Hub. ITVX offers a wide range of content, a sleek new design, and superior streaming quality. Thanks to ITVX, UK viewers have witnessed some of the most anticipated shows, accessible on various devices such as phones, tablets, computers (via the Internet), smart TVs, and streaming players.
Now, you might be wondering, “What is ITVX?” Most likely, you’re hearing about this latest ITV streaming app for the first time and want to learn more. Thus, what exactly is ITVX, what are the associated expenses, what content is available for streaming, and how can you view it on your preferred display? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
What is ITVX Channel?
As ITV envisions the future of television and aims to compete with companies like Netflix and Prime Video, ITVX has evolved into a digital destination for all ITV programs and more. The video-on-demand streaming service was gradually rolled out for compatible devices on December 8, 2022.
ITVX boasts over 10,000 hours of content, including original series added weekly. At the platform’s launch, premieres included “Spy Among Friends,” a Cold War drama adapted from Ben Macintyre’s acclaimed novel, and “Confessions of Frannie Langton,” a historical thriller based on Sarah Collins’ gothic bestseller.
Since then, at least one flagship content piece has been released every week, such as Riches, Without Sin, Tell Me Everything, Litvinenko, Nolly, Stonehouse, The Reunion, Deep Fake, Loaded in Paradise, and several others.
Like ITV Hub, it offers additional episodes of past and present ITV channel shows. It also adds exclusive original content, premiering on linear TV six to nine months later. ITVX allows viewers to binge-watch entire ITV show series from their original air dates, meaning you can enjoy them at your own pace.
ITVX Premium subscribers also gain access to many British TV box sets from another ITV-owned service, BritBox, adding thousands of hours of additional high-quality content.
What Else Can You Watch on ITVX?
In addition to popular dramas, soaps, thrillers, and comedies, the catalogue features a solid selection of blockbusters. Films like the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Despicable Me” trilogy, and others were available right after the launch, and the complete “Fast and Furious” series recently debuted.
ITVX boasts diverse documentaries, including Stephen Fry’s “A Year on Planet Earth,” showcasing captivating stories about nature worldwide. The platform also has a dedicated “True Crime” section, including “Monster in My Family,” allowing an in-depth look at the lives of serial killers from a new perspective.
The platform recently added “The Case Against Cosby,” a limited documentary series uncovering allegations against the once-famous comedian. Later this year, ITVX will also feature films like “Rolf Harris: Out of Sight,” “Rise and Fall of Boris Becker,” and “Murder in the Family,” among others.
Can You Watch Live on ITVX?
Yes! ITVX provides streaming access to ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, ITVBe, and CITV, along with over 20 “FAST” linear channels, showcasing handpicked top content from ITV. Occasionally, live sports content and special events are also broadcast, accompanied by news releases throughout the day with short clips and comprehensive reports.
The lineup of free ad-supported streaming TV stations will change over time based on popularity and viewer preferences. However, ITVX channels like Classic Movies, Crime/Drama, ITV Classics, Saturday Night Every Night, and True Crime International will remain.
To find out which channels are currently available on ITVX and how to watch them, check out our guide to the best ITVX channels.
How Much Does ITVX Cost? (Spoiler: It’s Free!)
ITVX is available for free streaming. You can enjoy new and classic shows, documentaries, movies, exclusive content, and live streaming on the ITV platform – all without charges. That said, it primarily operates on an ad-supported model, meaning ads will unexpectedly appear during your viewing sessions.
However, it’s worth noting that a significant portion of the ITVX library (over 5000 hours of video content) is reserved exclusively for premium users. ITVX operates similarly to All4, where viewers can watch content with ads or opt for an ad-free experience by paying a certain fee.
If you despise ads and want access to more shows and BritBox box sets, subscribe to ITVX Premium. You can learn more about the premium tier in the section below.
What Does ITVX Premium Offer?
For those seeking ad-free streaming, ITVX providesThe choice to enroll in ITVX Premium is available for £5.99 per month or £59.99 annually.A 7-day complimentary trial is offered for individuals interested in exploring the service before committing to a subscription, eliminates ads during your viewing experience, though live TV or in-show ads will remain. ITVX Premium allows you to watch your favourite content on the go without an internet connection. You can download shows for viewing on mobile devices, a feature not available to those opting for the free tier.
In addition to ad-free streaming, the premium tier grants access to the extensive Britbox library – an impressive collection of shows and movies from ITV, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5, along with exclusive originals. The subscription proves to be a great deal, considering it is comparable to the standalone cost of BritBox. Explore our article on BritBox on ITVX for additional information.
How ITVX Compares to Other Streaming Apps in Terms of Accessibility?
ITVX offers flexible viewing options, serving as both a free, ad-supported streaming platform and providing an ad-free premium subscription. It caters to a broad audience.
As mentioned earlier, ITV will premiere many of its new shows on ITVX before airing them on traditional television, with the preparation time ranging from six to nine months.
The streaming platform also extendsa distinctive service for the deaf community – ITV Signed, the world’s inaugural BSL (British Sign Language) supported channel. The channel broadcasts exclusive programs, signed and regularly updated with many current and archival shows.
Additionally, in coordination with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, audio descriptions are available for approximately 20% of programs, including all new ITV dramas.
ITVX has promised captions for more than 90% of its on-demand content, and about 80% of viewers utilize live subtitles. It will also be available on 20 ITVX live channels, providing linear scheduled viewing with curated programming. The VOD platform is actively working to make this feature available to users on all supported devices.
On Which Devices Can You Watch ITVX?
As per ITV’s information, audiences have the flexibility to access ITVX on a comprehensive range of devices and platforms, including Android phones and tablets (including Amazon Fire Tablet), iPhones, iPads, and computer web browsers. Moreover, the app is compatible with Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming player, and LG or Samsung Smart TV models.
Devices with built-in Freesat and Freeview Play features and some BT, Sky, and Virgin Media set-top boxes are also supported. Even Xbox One and current-generation game consoles are compatible. We have prepared step-by-step guides for anyone interested in trying ITVX on their favourite devices.
If your Smart TV can no longer access the old ITV Hub app, you may find that ITVX is also incompatible, as the new ITV VOD platform uses more stringent content protection technology. You can connect a streaming device (such as Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Roku) to cast your favourite videos from the ITVX app.
How to Register for ITVX?
Those who previously used ITV Hub can use the same credentials to log in to ITVX, including the username and password you created when ITV Hub was available.
New users must create a new account, a simple process requiring you to provide a few details, including your date of birth, email address, and UK postal code. After submitting the information, you need to confirm your email address.
Following these steps, you can set up for live streaming by clicking “Watch Live” or selecting on-demand content in the “Categories” section.
Wrapping Up
The introduction of ITVX signifies significant changes in the UK streaming landscape, offering a universal solution for viewers who seek ad-supported or premium-class content. ITVX became the first streaming platform created by a traditional broadcaster that provides such flexibility in one optimized, unified place.
ITVX is not just a specific channel; it’s a standalone streaming app available on various devices, much like the currently discontinued ITV Hub platform. If ITVX lives up to its promises, it has the potential to quickly grow into one of the most popular streaming services in the UK, as it is already home to a range of highly rated and well-received programs.