View Bbc Iplayer Outside Uk
How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad – Tech Advisor
BBC iPlayer is only available if you’re in the UK, or if you downloaded videos before you left the country. However, there is a way to watch internationally
You can watch shows on iPlayer from anywhere in the world with these tips
By
| 23 Jun 2021
Whatever your opinion on the BBC’s selection of shows to watch, the online streaming service iPlayer is immensely popular. It isn’t free: viewers have to pay a licence fee, but oddly you can still create an account without needing to prove you’ve paid – you just need a UK address.
For paid-up viewers, watching within the UK’s shores is no issue, and they can download shows to watch offline anywhere in the world. But if you’re abroad and want to watch Doctor Who, Line of Duty or the tennis homecoming event, then you’ll find yourself faced with message saying you can’t.
The Beeb says the correct way to watch iPlayer content abroad is to “download a programme on BBC iPlayer when you’re in the UK, you can watch it anywhere in the world. ”
That’s all fine and good, but what if you’re abroad before the next episode of your favourite show is aired? You can’t download it, so you’ll have to wait until you return home.
Except, of course, you can watch it: you just need to route your internet connection through UK server so your real location is hidden from iPlayer and it thinks it’s serving up Eat Well For Less or EastEnders to a viewer in the UK.
A VPN is the tool that will do this job for you. There were other options in the past, such as proxy servers, but the BBC has clamped down and will simply block any attempts to use one.
It works hard to block VPNs too, which is why the Beeb and VPN services play a cat-and-mouse game of blocking and evading being blocked. The bottom line is that you just need to install a VPN on your device, connect to at UK server and, as we say in the UK, Bob’s your uncle. Now you can watch whatever you like, wherever you are.
Use a VPN to watch iPlayer
VPNs may be complicated, but as far as you’re concerned, it’s as easy as downloading the app on your phone, tablet or laptop and tapping in your login details.
Getting those details means a simple sign-up process. Unfortunately, there are very few (by which we mean we can count them on the fingers of one hand) free VPN services which will let you watch iPlayer. You can find out why in our roundup of the best free VPNs.
This means watching iPlayer abroad isn’t going to be free, but for a couple of Pounds, Dollars, Euros or whichever currency you use, you can watch as much as you like each month. And you can use your VPN service for a lot besides just iPlayer.
As mentioned, whether or not a VPN service unblocks iPlayer depends upon whether its UK servers have been detected by the broadcaster. If you have problems, get in touch with the VPN’s customer service and they’ll typically tell you of a different server you can use, or another solution.
At the time of writing, the following services successfully allowed us to watch, but do bear in mind that it’s not a guarantee it will work for you on a particular day.
NordVPN, (which also tops our overall best VPN round-up)
Surfshark
CyberGhost
Private Internet Access
That’s not an exhaustive list: lots of other will also unblock iPlayer.
If you’re watching iPlayer via a smart TV or streaming device (such as an Amazon Fire TV), it’s worth choosing a service that offers a VPN app you can install on your TV. or device as otherwise you’re limited to watching on your phone, laptop, PC or other device for which there’s an app.
Once you’ve got your chosen VPN service up and running, you’ll need to choose the UK as the country (or server) and tap the Connect button. Then you can switch to the iPlayer app or the iPlayer webpage to start watching.
Here are more recommendations for VPN providers with UK servers.
Change DNS settings to watch on Xbox or PS4
If you want to watch iPlayer outside the UK on an Xbox or PlayStation then you might be able to change your console’s DNS settings to some which will unblock the service.
If you head to the network settings and manually enter the DNS addresses you might then find iPlayer will play videos for you. We’re not going to recommend any here, but you can search online for these (they change fairly regularly).
They can be free but are typically overloaded and therefore slow. If you really can’t watch on another device, your best option is to configure VPN settings on your router, which will let you connect your console through the VPN’s UK server. But this method has plenty of other drawbacks, so you have been warned.
BBC iPlayer accounts and the UK TV Licence
The BBC requires that anyone using iPlayer is a UK TV Licence holder. We have a separate guide to who needs a TV Licence.
You also need a BBC account, which requires a UK postcode (and you need to be over 13 years old).
When you register for a BBC account (which is free) you’ll need to give your date of birth, gender, and email address, along with a valid UK postcode.
The BBC says that the aim of the account isn’t to pursue iPlayer users who haven’t paid for a TV Licence, but admitted that it will cross-reference the email addresses with people who’ve previously claimed not to need a licence.
If you’re a British resident with a paid-up licence fee, simply sign into your BBC account and use a VPN service as described above. You’re still breaking the Ts and Cs by watching via a VPN, just like anyone abroad who signs up with a fake UK address.
Related articles for further reading
Start a group watching session using BBC Together
Best VPN services
What is a proxy server?
What is a VPN?
Author: Jim Martin, Editor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services, antivirus and web hosting. He also covers electric bikes, dash cams and smart home tech.
Can I use BBC iPlayer when I’m outside of the UK?
Due to rights agreements, you need to be in the UK to stream and download programmes or watch BBC TV channels on BBC iPlayer.
Want to watch an on-demand programme while you’re travelling? If you download a programme on BBC iPlayer when you’re in the UK, you can watch it anywhere in the world. You can download programmes on your computer, or on your mobile or tablet using the BBC iPlayer app. Find out more in our How can I watch programmes when I’m offline? page.
There are still BBC services you can use outside of the UK, including:
BBC Sounds
BBC Podcasts
BBC News
BBC Sport
BBC Three YouTube channel
Please note that some content may not be available outside the UK.
While we are interested in being able to allow UK licence fee payers to access BBC iPlayer when they are abroad, there are complex technical issues to resolve which we are investigating, and it will be dependent on what legislation is in effect in the UK in the future.
If you’re in the UK and you get a message saying you’re not, have a look at our Why does BBC iPlayer think I’m outside the UK? FAQ.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer From Anywhere in the World
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service that offers live and catch up TV from all of BBC’s channels. This includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, cBBC, BBC News, and Radio 1. BBC iPlayer is exclusively available to UK residents. British expats living in US, Australia, Canada, Germany, UAE, or Spain cannot watch any content on BBC.
Simply configure your devices to use Unlocator Smart DNS. Once done, you will be able to watch BBC iPlayer outside UK regardless of where you currently reside.
How To Watch BBC iPlayer Outside UK Using Unlocator Smart DNS
If you try to access BBC iPlayer outside the UK, you will see this message “BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only. ” That is because the popular UK streaming channel is geoblocked overseas. However, it’s straight forward getting around this issue by using Unlocator Smart DNS.
First you need to sign up for a free Unlocator trial and then follow the setup guides here. Don’t forget to restart your device once you have configured it.
That is really all there is to it. Now you can stream BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world. This method is particular helpful if you are one of the many UK expats in Spain, Portugal, UAE and so on. It really is a live safer if you want to stay in touch with current events from back home. But in fact BBC iPlayer is just a great streaming service with fantastic content no matter where in the world you are located.
What is particular great about using Unlocator Smart DNS to unblock BBC iPlayer is that fact that your regular streaming services will continue to work. We unblock streaming services on a case by case basis. This means that you can appear in multiple locations around the world at the same time. It really is a transparent and painless approach.
Using VPN to Unblock BBC iPlayer
If you prefer you can also use one of our VPN apps for Android, iOS, Mac or Windows to unblock BBC iPlayer. When you connect to a VPN server of your choice then all your data traffic becomes encrypted and it will leave trough the selected server. In the case of BBC iPlayer you should choose a UK server, which will make you appear to be located in the UK. This will give you access to BBC iPlayer and any other UK streaming service or website that has geo restrictions.
One added benefit to using VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer is the fact that your data becomes encrypted. See if you are connected to public WiFi at a hotel, conference center, airport, hostel or anything of that nature then you are putting your data at risk. These types or networks are prone to attacks by identity theft so using VPN to encrypt your data is vital.
Whichever method you choose to use is up to you. Both Smart DNS and VPN are included in the free Unlocator trial so you can give both a try and see which you prefer.
The Following List of Devices Work With Unlocator Smart DNS and BBC iPlayer
DeviceSetup GuideSupported
For a full list of compatibility between Unlocator Smart DNS, channels and devices please see our
Channels &
Devices
Page
Frequently Asked Questions about view bbc iplayer outside uk
Can I watch BBC iPlayer outside UK?
If you download a programme on BBC iPlayer when you’re in the UK, you can watch it anywhere in the world. You can download programmes on your computer, or on your mobile or tablet using the BBC iPlayer app. … There are still BBC services you can use outside of the UK, including: BBC Sounds.
How can I watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK for free?
The quick answer to your question: British expats living in US, Australia, Canada, Germany, UAE, or Spain cannot watch any content on BBC. Simply configure your devices to use Unlocator Smart DNS. Once done, you will be able to watch BBC iPlayer outside UK regardless of where you currently reside.
Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer abroad?
No. BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV licence and its use is restricted to UK residents only. While you can’t watch TV programmes, here’s a list of services you can use if you live outside the UK: BBC Sounds.
