IT Blog

You love British TV—even if you don’t know it.

For decades, British programming has enjoyed massive success in the United States, with breakout hits such as Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who, The IT Crowd, and more. Even indirectly, British shows have influenced culture stateside. There are the oft-cited adaptations such as The Office, Veep, Shameless, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and Skins, where both versions usually coexist in their fandoms.

But then there some shows so rooted in Americana, it’s easy to forget they too were based on or inspired by British shows: All in the Family (Till Death Us Do Part), Sanford and Son (Steptoe and Son), Three’s Company (Man About the House), and Cheers (Fawlty Towers).

Whether it’s the shows themselves or just the format and plot, British programming has a hold on American audiences—and niche streamer BritBox has been capitalizing on that.

As a joint venture between the BBC and…