Kiwis can watch some fantastic British shows thanks to Acorn TV.
Acorn TV was launched on 11 December 2108 in New Zealand. The streaming company starts in all new territories by offering key titles, and there are nearly 40 in New Zealand. It then adds new content weekly to build up the library, which happens reasonably quickly. It is a great destination for fans of British programming. The streaming platform offers a selection of TV shows from the United Kingdom and beyond at an affordable monthly price. There’s a good chance you’ll find something in Acorn’s library to keep you busy for hours on end, and all without spending more than you would on a few cups of coffee.
What is Acorn TV?
Acorn TV is a subscription video-on-demand service which focuses on British programming. Users pay a monthly or annual fee and can watch as much content from Acorn’s library as they want. The platform primarily offers TV series from the United Kingdom, but subscribers can also watch shows from New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and Australia.
The company started distributing British television in the United States in 1994 – first on VHS, then DVD and Blu-Ray. It eventually launched a streaming platform in 2013 and quickly became the largest service focused on British and international TV in North America. Acorn TV offers world-class dramas, comedies, mysteries, and documentaries, all commercial-free.
The service also invests in original programming. Its most successful original programme was an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Poirot in summer 2014, which was nominated for an Emmy. That’s a huge accomplishment for a niche streaming service.
How much does Acorn TV cost?
Due to its niche approach to content, Acorn TV comes at an affordable monthly price. For US$4.99 (around NZD$7.25)/month, you can binge a selection of classic and contemporary British TV shows. There’s a free one-week trial available to new customers, so you can test the platform to figure out if it’s for you. Moreover, it involves no lock-in contracts, so you can cancel your subscription at any time. Alternatively, users can purchase a yearly Acorn TV membership for the price of 10 months – US$49.99 (approximately NZD$72.59).
How much content does Acorn TV offer?
In short, Acorn TV is ideal for anyone who likes international productions. The service in the US boasts thousands of hours of programming, including dozens of exclusive shows and the latest seasons of your favourite series. Here in New Zealand, you can binge-watch fan favourites like Foyle’s War, Poldark and Line of Duty.
The library is neatly organised into categories, eg Most Popular and Mystery, so you can easily find something to match your preferences. The platform allows you to browse the library before you sign up for a free trial, so you can gain a picture of the content you have access to once you subscribe. Acorn TV adds new content every month, so keep an eye on the service to discover new favourites.
How much data does Acorn TV use?
As with every streaming service, watching content with Acorn TV burns through your data allowance. The platform doesn’t offer any official information on data usage, but streaming can consume burn anywhere from 300MB/hour for the lowest video quality to 3GB/hour for a high-quality HD stream.
What devices are compatible with Acorn TV?
Acorn TV works with several devices, ensuring a smooth user experience regardless of what screen you’re watching on. Check to see if your device is listed below: