Acorn Media U.S. is making its catalog of British mystery and drama programs available to U.S. audiences via a newly launched premium subscription service.
Acorn TV, which is reached through a dedicated tab at AcornOnline.com, delivers unlimited access to a rotating library of content for $25 a year. It is introducing the service with a free trial through Aug. 31.
The Maryland-based Acorn is the latest example of a media company that thrives by targeting a specific and devoted niche audience, in its case by acquiring the exclusive North American distribution rights to high-quality British television like Upstairs Downstairs, Brideshead Revisited, Foyle’s War, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and The Forsyte Saga.
Until now the company focused on collectible DVD packages and related merchandise. Although these programs are already familiar to U.S. Audiences through these DVDs and from broadcasts on PBS affiliate television stations. This is the first time most of them have been available on a streaming service.
Some of the programs are making their North American debut, such as Vera, which stars Brenda Blethyn (Little Voice) as a police detective from northernmost England, and Reggie Perrin, which stars Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) as the dark comedy’s titular white-collar depressive.
Acorn TV is accessible at launch on computers and any portable device with a browser that runs Flash 10 or higher, as well as on iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, and Google TV, with more options set to be added.
