What Acorn TV is and how the subscription works

Acorn TV is a streaming service that shows British and Irish television programs, films, and documentaries. You pay a monthly or annual fee to watch on demand — meaning you choose what to watch and when, rather than following a broadcast schedule. The service is run by RLJ Entertainment, a US-based media company, not by a UK or Irish broadcaster.

When you subscribe, you create an account and can stream on multiple devices using the same login. The number of screens you can watch on at once depends on your plan — most plans allow one or two simultaneous streams. You can cancel at any time; there is no contract or lock-in period.

Acorn TV is available in the United States, Canada, and Australia. If you live outside these countries, the service will not work even if you try to sign up, because it is licensed only for those regions. The content library changes monthly as programs are added and removed.

Key Takeaways

  • Acorn TV costs between $5.99 and $8.99 per month in the US, depending on whether you pay monthly or commit to an annual plan, with prices varying slightly in Canada and Australia.
  • You need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal) to set up an account, and charges recur automatically each billing cycle unless you cancel.
  • The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but the number of devices you can watch on at the same time is limited by your plan.
  • Acorn TV is only available in the United States, Canada, and Australia; it will not work if you try to access it from other countries.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings, and you will keep access until the end of your current billing period.

Pricing and payment options

Acorn TV offers two main pricing tiers in the United States: a monthly plan at $8.99 per month, or an annual plan at $59.99 per year (which works out to about $5 per month if you pay upfront). Prices in Canada and Australia are similar but converted to local currency. Some promotional offers appear periodically — for example, a discounted first month — but these are not permanent.

You can pay using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Acorn TV does not accept other payment methods like gift cards or prepaid codes. Your payment method is charged automatically on the same day each month (or year) unless you cancel before that date. If a payment fails, Acorn TV will usually try again a few days later; if it fails a second time, your account may be suspended until you update your payment information.

There are no hidden fees. The price you see is the total cost — there are no additional charges for watching content, and you do not pay extra to watch on different devices.

What devices Acorn TV works on

Acorn TV can be watched on smartphones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, Android), computers (Windows and Mac via a web browser), and some smart TVs. The service has apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. You can also use Airplay or Chromecast to send video from your phone or computer to a TV if your TV supports those features.

The quality of the video depends on your internet connection and the device you are using. Acorn TV streams at up to 1080p (Full HD) on most devices; 4K is not available. You need a stable internet connection of at least 2.5 Mbps for standard quality and 5 Mbps for HD.

Most plans allow you to watch on one or two screens at the same time. If you try to watch on more screens than your plan allows, the oldest stream will stop. You can download some programs to watch offline on the Acorn TV app, though this feature is not available on all content.

How to set up your account

To start, go to the Acorn TV website or download the Acorn TV app on your device. Click "Sign Up" and enter your email address and a password. You will then choose your plan (monthly or annual) and enter your payment information. Acorn TV will charge your payment method immediately, and your account will be active right away.

After you sign up, you can log in on any supported device using the same email and password. If you use multiple devices, you can switch between them without signing out on the others — your account will remember where you left off in each show or film.

You can update your payment method, email address, or password at any time by going to your account settings. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it.

Cancelling your subscription

To cancel, log into your Acorn TV account on the website or app, go to your account settings, and look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" option. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm. You will not be charged again after you cancel, but you will keep access to the service until the end of your current billing period.

For example, if you subscribe on the 15th of the month and cancel on the 20th, you can still watch until the 15th of the next month. If you subscribed to an annual plan and cancel partway through, you do not get a refund for the unused portion — the subscription runs until the anniversary of your sign-up date.

If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can sign up again using the same email address. Your viewing history and saved shows will be there if you use the same account.

Content and what to expect

Acorn TV focuses on British and Irish television, including detective dramas, comedies, period pieces, and documentaries. The library includes both recent programs and older series. Some content is exclusive to Acorn TV; other programs are also available on other streaming services or through traditional broadcast.

New content is added regularly, and older content is sometimes removed when licensing agreements end. Acorn TV publishes a list of what is coming and what is leaving each month on their website. If you are watching a series and it gets removed, you will not be able to finish it unless it comes back later.

Acorn TV does not produce original content in the way that Netflix or Amazon Prime Video do. It licenses programs from British and Irish broadcasters and production companies.

Regional restrictions and VPN use

Acorn TV only works in the United States, Canada, and Australia. If you try to access it from another country, you will see a message saying the service is not available in your region. This is because Acorn TV has licensing agreements that limit where the content can be shown.

Using a VPN (virtual private network) to make it appear you are in an allowed country violates Acorn TV's terms of service. If Acorn TV detects VPN use, it may suspend or cancel your account without a refund. The same applies if you subscribe in an allowed country and then move to a country where the service is not available — your account may stop working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Acorn TV password with family members?

Acorn TV's terms of service say the account is for personal use only and should not be shared. However, the service does allow multiple simultaneous streams depending on your plan, so family members in your household can watch at the same time using the same login. Sharing your password with people outside your household is against the terms and could result in your account being suspended.

What happens if I don't cancel before my next billing date?

You will be charged for the next billing period automatically. If you want to avoid this, you must cancel before that date. Check your account settings to see when your next charge is scheduled. If you are charged by mistake, contact Acorn TV's support team to request a refund; they typically respond within a few business days.

Can I watch Acorn TV outside the US, Canada, or Australia?

No. The service is not licensed to operate in other countries, and it will block access if you try to use it from outside those regions. Using a VPN to bypass this restriction violates the terms of service and may result in your account being cancelled.

Is there a free trial?

Acorn TV occasionally offers a free trial period for new subscribers, but this is not always available. Check the sign-up page to see if a trial is currently being offered. If one is available, you will need to enter a payment method, and you will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.

What should I do if I can't log in?

First, check that you are using the correct email address and password. Use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password if you are not sure. If you still cannot log in, contact Acorn TV support through their website. They can help you regain access to your account or troubleshoot technical issues.