How to watch Banned Brit TV!

Mitchell & Brown is helping keep British TV history alive with a DVD player that makes it easy to watch the shows modern platforms won’t touch.

Bolton, UK – 3 May 2025 – As streaming platforms tighten their grip on home entertainment - hiking prices, cutting content, and quietly editing or removing shows that no longer fit today’s cultural standards - a growing number of Brits are heading back to their shelves. DVDs, long dismissed as outdated, are making an unexpected comeback. And with Father’s Day just around the corner, one small British-brand DVD player is helping families rediscover old favourites, in the way they were originally intended.

Meet the JB-DVD1811 from Mitchell & Brown, a no-fuss, compact DVD player made in response to demand from the UK’s independent retailers. Priced at just £49.99, it’s designed to play everything from old films and box sets to music CDs and photo slideshows, all without streaming subscriptions, internet connections, adverts or politically correct censorship. Just insert a disc, press play, and enjoy.

“You’d be surprised how many people still have shelves of DVDs” says Dan Brown, Operational Director at Mitchell & Brown. “We’re hearing from customers who are frustrated they can’t find a favourite film or series on streaming anymore, or worse, that it’s been edited to fit today’s guidelines. With a DVD, you get the original, uncut and unchanged.”

And that’s become a big part of the story. While digital platforms continue to filter content to suit modern sensitivities, many iconic British TV shows from the past — once hugely popular — are now rarely seen on air.

TV favourites from the ’70s and ’80s, like It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Mind Your Language, and Till Death Us Do Part, were once national viewing staples. Today, they’re rarely seen on mainstream television due to shifting standards around cultural representation and humour. While not erased, they’ve been quietly side-lined, available now only on DVD.

“These series may not reflect today’s values, but they’re still part of Britain’s TV history,” says Brown. “For collectors and film fans, DVDs are often the only way to access them, whether for nostalgia or historical context.”

It’s not just older shows, either. Streaming libraries change monthly. A favourite movie can vanish overnight due to licensing issues or simply server space on the platform. Bonus features like director commentaries and behind-the-scenes extras, once a staple of DVD culture, are rarely found on digital platforms.

Consumers are catching on - UK entertainment retailer HMV reported a 5% rise in DVD, Blu-ray and 4K disc sales, bucking the global decline. Analysts point to a mix of collector demand, streaming frustration, and a desire to truly own what we watch.

That’s where the JB-DVD1811 fits in. Compatible with both modern and older TVs, it offers HDMI and SCART connections, stereo RCA audio out, Dolby Audio support, and even plays CDs. It’s compact, simple, and built for the millions of discs sitting in drawers and garages across the country, just waiting for their second act.

And with Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June, it’s a perfect gift for dads who miss the golden age of home cinema. Pair it with a handful of DVDs from a charity shop or eBay, and you've got a gift that’s personal, practical and proudly offline.

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Editors notes

Founded in 1996 by Jim Brown and his sons Matthew and Daniel, the TVD Group started from humble beginnings in a shop in Leigh and has now become a leading UK provider in audio visual solutions. Putting the customer at the heart of everything it does and offering unrivalled service and quality products has acted as a catalyst for growth, which has seen the group go from strength to strength.

In 2016, to celebrate the brand's 20th anniversary and pay tribute to their late father, the two brothers decided to develop their very own exclusive TV brand, names 'Mitchell & Brown' using their father's surname and Jim's mother's maiden name.

Built by Europe’s largest TV manufacturer, who design and manufacture TV’s for almost every major brand around the world, each television undergoes rigorous control processes and testing.

Mitchell & Brown TV sets come in various sizes, including LED TVs from 20” to 75” with build in features such as Freeview Play, Smart TV apps, 4K UHD, WIFI, Hotel Mode and DVD Combi.

The Mitchell & Brown TV range comes with an industry-leading 7-year warranty, so its products have a reputation for client satisfaction and reliability.