Far be it from me to suggest yet another subscription is the answer to this modern malaise of plenty - and yet, maybe it is? BritBox, a streaming service put together by the UK’s dominant TV networks, BBC and ITV, is something quite different, with limitations that feel like strengths, strong curation and a narrow, culturally specific remit. There’s less choice but more flavour. It’s a vibe, a nostalgic haven from the legions of polished transatlantic dramedies vying for your attention elsewhere. That’s giving quite a lot of credit to something that is essentially a dumping ground for half a century’s worth of British TV library content. BritBox has one or two exclusive new shows, but its appeal is really all in the back catalogue. The thing is, though, that anyone who has grown up watching broadcast TV in this country will find that catalogue stuffed with nostalgic treasures, lost classics and a kind of comfort viewing even the glossiest Hollywood production can’t provide.
