ITVX, the new streaming service from ITV that’s replacing ITV Hub, is finally rolling out to Freeview Play devices – which means millions across the country now have access to it.
However, due to some last-minute issues, a few popular Freeview Play devices – such as the Manhattan T3 and T3-R, won’t be getting the new ITVX app for a few more weeks.
Furthermore, some older Freeview boxes that many households still own, won’t be getting ITVX at all (more on that below).
Since its “soft” launch on November 17, ITVX has been gradually rolling out to various devices – streaming sticks like Roku, certain Smart TVs, the newer Freesat boxes, and even Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
But with the “official” ITVX launch date, December 8, coming and going – Freeview users had to wait longer than most – with some having to now wait even further.
Customers with supported Freeview Play devices should see their ITV Hub app “transform” into ITVX, without needing to manually download a new app.
If you don’t see the ITVX app on your Freeview Play device, it sometimes helps to restart the box/TV by unplugging it and then plugging it back in.
For now, we know ITVX already works on the Humax Aura Freeview Play recorder, as well as on the Netgem Freeview box (which is available either standalone or with several broadband providers, such as TalkTalk), and on a few Freeview Play TV sets.
On some devices, the ITV Hub icon is still showing, with ITVX launching when you actually run the app (I’ve seen that on the Humax Aura, for example) – but that will eventually get fixed (there’s another confusing ITVX issue on the Humax Aura – see more on that below).
As we previously reported, some older Freeview Play devices, including the popular Humax FVP-5000T and the Humax FVP-4000T
– will NOT be getting ITVX at all, as the software on these devices is simply too old to accommodate the new app.
Some older TVs – such as Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 and back, won’t be getting ITVX either.
And, for now, it looks like ITVX isn’t available on YouView boxes yet – including on the new BT TV Pro 4K box.
What Is ITVX?
ITV’s new streaming app, ITVX, is a free-to-watch (with adverts) service that’s replacing the long-running ITV Hub app, and is meant to be a full-fledged streaming service, with the aim of competing with services such as Netflix and Disney+.
ITVX is launching with more than 10,000 free (with adverts) hours of on-demand content, including 35 flagship shows, 200+ series and 250+ films.
In addition to the on-demand content, you can also stream all of ITV’s live channels via the app, as well as several “themed” ad-supported live channels that are dedicated to a single series or theme (including a British Sign Language channel).
However, do note that ITVX’s live channels are NOT available on Freeview Play devices and TVs for now (except for Samsung).
And although ITV is focusing heavily on the ad-supported free tier, ITVX also has a paid Premium tier, which removes all the adverts when you’re watching on-demand content.
Premium tier subscribers will also get access to the entire content library of BritBox, which includes more than 4,000 hours of classic British shows and films.
The Premium tier currently costs £5.99/month or £59.99/year.
What Can I Watch On ITVX?
ITVX includes a mix of classic British shows from ITV’s archives, classic and newer blockbuster films, American TV shows from Warner, Paramount and others, as well as exclusive original productions.
At least one flagship show will launch on ITVX per week (starting from December 8), sometimes months before it airs on ITV’s linear channels.
Some of those premiers include Russell T Davies’ Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter, powerful period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton starring Karla-Simone Spence, Litvinenko starring David Tennant and Mark Bonnar, and the hotly anticipated cold war series, A Spy Among Friends, which is now available in its entirety.
In addition to 35 flagship shows premiering and streaming exclusively on ITVX, the service will also be launching full series’ of upcoming ITV shows on their first day of broadcast, allowing viewers to binge-watch.
Early examples of this include the real-life drama Stonehouse starring Matthew Macfadyen and Keeley Hawes and the new series of Unforgotten.
If you’re into films, ITVX will feature the UK’s largest free film library, with the likes of Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Daniel Day Lewis, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, Sir Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins and even The Muppets.
As mentioned, paying subscribers who sign up for ITVX’s Premium tier will also get 6,000 hours of classic British content from BritBox.
Some of BritBox’s content highlights, from the archives of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, include 600+ episodes of the classic Doctor Who as well as a long list of classic British series and films.
Do note, however, that ITVX Premium subscribers will not be able to access BritBox’s standalone app, which will remain separate for now. Instead, BritBox’s content will simply appear as a premium category on the ITVX app.
ITVX On Freeview Play
Freeview Play is a platform that combines over-the-air Freeview channels with over 40,000 hours of on-demand content that you stream via the internet.
Unlike the “linear” version of Freeview, which only requires an aerial and a Freeview tuner (either on your TV on via a set-top Freeview box), Freeview Play also requires an internet connection.
To watch Freeview Play, you also need a compatible Smart TV or a set-top box, such as the Manhattan T3-R or the Netgem boxes.
Once you have everything connected, both Freeview and Freeview Play are free to watch, without any monthly subscriptions (though you would still need to pay the TV Licence in most cases).
Freeview Play includes 11 on-demand streaming players, such as BBC iPlayer, All4, CBS Catchup – and, now, ITVX – which is replacing ITV Hub.
On most Freeview Play devices and Smart TVs, the ITVX app should replace ITV Hub automatically – but if not, a restart of the device may help.
ITVX Delayed On Manhattan Freeview Boxes
Despite earlier hopes that ITVX will become available on the popular Manhattan T3 and Manhattan T3-R Freeview Play boxes from day 1, we’re told that’s no longer the case.
Instead, due to some unforeseen delays, it now appears that it’ll take a few weeks for ITVX to land on the Manhattan Freeview boxes.
- May 2023 Update: ITVX Is finally available on the Manhattan T3 and T3-R
Interestingly, ITV Hub – which currently still works on these boxes (and on other devices and TVs that haven’t received ITVX yet), now holds some of the new, exclusive-to-ITVX shows.
So, if you’re eager to watch A Spy Among Friends, for example – all 6 episodes are now available on ITV Hub, for those viewers who can’t yet get ITVX.
ITVX Confusion On The Humax Aura
Things can also get a bit confusing for ITVX with devices that have separate streaming apps alongside Freeview Play – such as the Humax Aura.
On the Humax Aura, which is both a Freeview Play recorder and an Android TV streaming device, there are TWO potential ITVX apps. One that you can download from the Google Play app store – and the Freeview Play ITVX app.
Unfortunately, the Google Play / Android TV version of ITVX doesn’t work on the Humax Aura – and users who tried to install it – and then run it – are receiving an error “Application Unavailable” error message:
Therefore, you need to go to the Freeview Play section of the Aura (either via the dedicated remote button, or go to Channel 100) – and run the ITVX app over there – as that’s a different app (of sorts), which does work at this point.
The Freeview Play version of the app should update automatically on your Aura – so there’s no need to actively download anything.
But if you do try to download the Android TV version of the app – that one won’t work for now.
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