How To Get Bbc Iplayer To Work Outside Uk
How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad – Macworld UK
Want to watch iPlayer from outside the UK? BBC iPlayer is one of the biggest streaming services, and is free for those inside the UK with a TV licence – here’s how to stream it when you’re abroad too, from anywhere in the world including the US.
By
| 20 May 21
If you’re trying to watch BBC iPlayer from outside of the UK, you’ll find that it’s not as easy as logging in and pressing play. It’s a frustrating problem, but there is a workaround and it’s quite simple; here, we show you how to watch BBC iPlayer when travelling abroad to anywhere in the world.
iPlayer is one of the biggest streaming services in the UK, offering a range of high-quality television both live and on demand across popular channels including BBC One and CBeebies, radio shows and feature films, direct from the BBC, entirely free from advertising.
The shame is that it’s limited to UK viewers, and – in principle – you can only watch it from inside the UK. Funded by a licence fee, UK TV owners pay for the BBC – so it makes sense to limit BBC iPlayer to UK viewers.
But what about holidaymakers and those with homes in two countries? If you’ve paid for it, then you might want to be able to watch BBC iPlayer when overseas in countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US, Spain, Italy and more.
Hit shows including Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice and more are available to watch live and on demand on BBC iPlayer, and many will be sad to miss an episode or two while they’re away from the UK.
You need a TV licence to watch on-demand content on the iPlayer. Previously, you only needed a licence to watch TV being broadcast live, but now the rule change means all iPlayer content requires you to pay up. Our sister title Tech Advisor explains here: do I need a TV licence?
How to get BBC iPlayer abroad
Here’s a quick rundown of the steps you’ll need to follow to access BBC iPlayer on your iPhone, iPad or Mac if you’re outside of the UK. This will also work on a PC, and on Android devices too.
Be aware though, this breaks the terms and conditions of BBC iPlayer so you should go ahead at your own risk. You’re not going to get fined or arrested, but you could have your account suspended – though in practice it’s unlikely.
In summary:
You’ll need a subscription to a VPN We’d recommend NordVPN or Surfshark but you can find our whole top ten in our round-up of the best VPNs.
Download your VPN app of choice on your Mac, iPhone or iPad.
Log in.
Choose a server based in the UK.
Browse to BBC iPlayer and log in.
You should now find that you are able to access BBC iPlayer content.
How to watch iPlayer with a VPN
Just as Netflix dominates US traffic, BBC iPlayer dominates in the UK, with up to six percent of all our internet traffic going the BBC. So you lot apparently love it. But you can’t watch the BBC while you’re overseas.
When you open the BBC iPlayer app on your iOS device or log on to iPlayer on your Mac or PC, it checks your public IP (Internet Protocol) address. This address is a four-part number, such as 91. 108. 140. 168 (a quick way to find yours is by typing “IP Address” into Google).
This figure relates to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or cellular connection, linked to the server that is sending you data. Enter the digits into IP Location and you’ll find where the server is located as well as the host. If this location isn’t in the UK, then BBC iPlayer will refuse to show you content.
To use BBC iPlayer abroad, you need to convince the BBC that you’re using an IP address based in the UK.
Don’t worry – this is a lot easier than you think, thanks to VPNs (or virtual private networks). Instead of connecting directly to iPlayer’s servers, you log into the VPN, and that connects using a British IP address, letting you access all the iPlayer content you normally would.
As mentioned, this breaks the terms and conditions of BBC iPlayer so you should go ahead at your own risk.
Here are some of the best VPN services for BBC iPlayer, in our experience. All of these have apps for both Mac and iOS, so you can use them to watch from just about any Apple device.
If you want to watch from Apple’s set-top box it’s a little trickier, but we have a dedicated guide to using a VPN with the Apple TV that should help.
Surfshark: This is the best value VPN on our list, and currently sits at number one in our VPN chart. It’ll work well for BBC iPlayer, but it does miss out on the speciality servers offered by NordVPN. Sign up here.
NordVPN: This service offers a complete VPN service at a fair price. Your data is encrypted so you can surf worry-free wherever. Not only can you access iPlayer abroad with it, but you can also benefit from services such as secure online banking when on public Wi-Fi hotspots. It offers speciality servers designed for streaming, so is ideal for watching BBC iPlayer. Sign up here.
ExpressVPN: Another of our favourite VPN services with top security and privacy features and simple-to-use apps. It is a bit more pricey than NordVPN and Surfshark but is certainly a premium service. Sign up here.
You might also like to find out how to get American Netflix in the UK.
Author: Jim Martin, Associate editor
Jim is editor of Tech Advisor and a contributor to Macworld. Jim has been testing and reviewing both hardware and software for 15 years. These days his specialities include tablets, smartphones and gadgets as well as writing and commissioning reviews, features and tutorials.
8 Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer to Watch Abroad (Working in 2021)
We explain how to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad (outside the UK) with a VPN and the best VPNs to use. With BBC iPlayer detecting and blocking more VPNs, we’ve updated this article for 2021 with the latest working VPNs.
@pabischoff UPDATED: July 27, 2021
BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming service that lets viewers watch some of the best free and legal content on the web, ranging from TV shows and movies to live sports like the Euro 2020 Championship. Much of that content, however, can only be streamed on devices with a UK IP address. This means a workaround is needed if you want to watch BBC iPlayer outside of the UK. Due to content licensing restrictions, certain videos are restricted by geography. This applies to viewing on the iPlayer website as well as through the iPlayer app.
The simple solution is to employ a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer which will allow you to watch as normal from the USA or anywhere else abroad. However, not all VPNs work with BBC iPlayer.
We’ll cover eight BBC iPlayer VPNs in detail, but for those of you looking for a quick answer, our testing showed these to be the best options.
We found these to be the 8 best VPNs for BBC iPlayer:
NordVPN Best option for accessing BBC iPlayer from anywhere. Extremely fast and secure, with a large selection of servers and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark Our top budget pick. Speedy VPN with no connection limit that unblocks various streaming services including BBC iPlayer.
CyberGhost Works well with BBC iPlayer and other streaming services. Easy to use.
PrivateVPN Good up-and-coming VPN that works well with BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.
Hotspot Shield A solid budget option that offers fast speeds and unblocks BBC iPlayer and other services.
ExpressVPN Stream geo-blocked content from anywhere in the world with no restrictions. Veteran provider with excellent security credentials.
Private Internet Access Works well with BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
VyprVPN Unblocked BBC iPlayer in our tests.
GET A 30 DAY FREE TRIAL OF NORDVPNNordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for BBC iPlayer for a month, without restriction. As such, it’s ideal for anyone looking to binge their favorite shows as they travel.
There are no hidden terms—just let support know within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
Short for virtual private network, a VPN service encrypts a device’s internet traffic before routing it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. In the case of BBC iPlayer, the user just needs to pick a British server. They’ll be assigned a UK IP address to make it appear that’s where they’re located.
But this workaround is getting less effective by the day as BBC iPlayer starts cracking down on the circumvention software and detecting when a VPN is used. The site has followed in the footsteps of Netflix when it comes to banning VPN users. For this reason, it’s important to subscribe to a VPN service that bypasses iPlayer’s firewall and will actively work to fix the problem if it gets blocked.
Often only some servers from a specific VPN service can accomplish this, so if one VPN server is blocked for you then just try another or ask customer service which ones work.
We’ve curated the following list of the best VPN providers for watching BBC iPlayer outside the UK based on the following key criteria:
Servers in the UK – to be able to watch BBC iPlayer you need a UK IP address which you can get by connecting to a server in the UK.
Works with iPlayer – it might sound obvious but due to BBC iPlayer’s region blocking not every VPN always works with iPlayer so we will keep this list up to date with working options.
Fast connection speeds – there’s nothing worse than your connection dropping mid-stream or not loading in the first place. Fast and reliable connection speeds are key for a quality streaming experience.
Competent customer service – useful and speedy customer service from your VPN provider is necessary in case you have any issues with your VPN. There’s little point in paying for a service if you can’t get help when you need it.
If you would like to understand exactly how we analyze and rank VPNs you can find out more in our article on how we test VPNs.
Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
These 8 VPNs will work with BBC iPlayer outside the UK. Just connect to a suitable UK server and start streaming.
1. NordVPN
Oct 2021
Unblocks iPlayerTested Oct 2021
Apps Available:
PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
NordVPN is a reliable service for watching BBC iPlayer abroad with plenty of UK servers to choose from. In fact, it operates almost 700 servers in the UK, and some of them are even optimized for streaming. Check the NordVPN website’s official knowledge base to find out which servers currently unblock BBC iPlayer content. Live chat support can be contacted 24/7.
This service scored one of the highest results in our speed test, so you shouldn’t have any issues streaming in HD or even 4K. Security is excellent thanks to strong encryption, and a strict zero-logs policy means your personal information (including your IP address) remains private. What’s more, public wifi users will love NordVPN’s automatic wifi protection feature. Servers are available in over 60 countries. NordVPN allows up to six concurrent internet connections on a single subscription, making it a great option for a small household or office.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android.
NordVPN speed test data
NordVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)111. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)122. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)112. 0 Mbps
Pros:
Plenty of servers in the UK unblock iPlayer from almost anywhere in HD
Also great for unblocking a wide range of UK geo-blocked content
Strict no-logs policy and solid security on apps
Connect up to 6 devices at the same time
Live chat support 24/7
Cons:
Desktop app can sometimes take a while to connect
BEST VPN FOR BBC IPLAYER ABROAD:NordVPN is our top choice. for an iPlayer VPN. Works reliably with BBC iPlayer and most popular streaming sites. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. App doesn’t offer server switching choice. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review here.
NordVPN CouponSAVE 72% + 3 months freeGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
2. Surfshark
unblocks iplayerTested Oct 2021
Surfshark currently has over 1, 700 servers in 60 countries, including the UK. It’s fast enough to stream live HD content with no noticeable buffering, and can reliably access major services including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and Netflix US. Best of all, though, Surfshark has no connection limit, meaning you can secure every one of your streaming devices simultaneously.
This service uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks to keep your online activities private at all times. There’s also a zero-logs policy and the option to block ads, trackers, and malware automatically. With 24/7 support available over live chat, you’re never more than a few seconds away from help with any problems
Surfshark offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on supported wireless routers.
Surfshark speed test data
SurfsharkAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)170 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)230 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)220 Mbps
Decent speeds
Strong unblocking ability
Powerful security and online privacy features
Secure every device you own simultaneously
Very affordable
Has the occasional slow server
Doesn’t have the largest network
Read our full Surfshark review
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our favorite low-cost option. It’s quick, versatile, and able to unblock a huge number of streaming services from abroad. Better still, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark CouponSAVE 81% on a 2-year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost makes unblocking geo-locked content easier than most other VPNs. Instead of contacting customer support or guessing at which server to connect to, CyberGhost’s apps let you choose a server based on the video site you want to unblock. Clicking the streaming option upon opening the app will bring up a lengthy list of popular streaming sites, including BBC iPlayer. Just click that option to get connected, and the app will even open iPlayer in your browser for you.
CyberGhost also boasts a strong security and privacy pedigree, which is perfect for security-conscious users. It keeps no logs and uses strong encryption with perfect forward secrecy. Leak protection and a kill switch ensure none of your internet traffic ever leaves the encrypted tunnel. CyberGhost boasts solid speeds that should be more than sufficient for streaming video in high quality.
A single plan allows up to seven simultaneous connections. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
CyberGhost speed test data
CyberGhostAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)78. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)54. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)39. 3 Mbps
No issues unblocking BBC iPlayer from various test locations
Operates a global network of more than 5, 900 servers in 90 countries
Low-cost option with beginner-friendly apps
Very good speeds
Doesn’t work reliably in UAE or China
May not be customizable enough for experienced users
easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost has a simple set up. CyberGhost has a simple set up and offers high speeds at a low cost. Good on privacy. Streams BBC iPlayer in HD video reliably and works with other popular streaming services. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
CyberGhost CouponSAVE 83% and Get 2 Months FREE on the 2 year planGet Deal > Discount applied automatically
4. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is a zero-logs VPN with a good track record for streaming BBC iPlayer, Netflix and other content. It makes short work of BBC iPlayer’s VPN firewall, and also works with other streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. It boasts extremely high speeds and round-the-clock live chat support in case of any issues.
Speeds are excellent despite the comparatively small network of servers. Security doesn’t fall short, either, sporting 256-bit and 128-bit encryption options guarded with perfect forward secrecy. PrivateVPN stores no logs of user activity and won’t record your IP address.
You can connect up to six devices on a single plan. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
PrivateVPN speed test data
PrivateVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)94 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)56. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)61. 7 Mbps
Unblocks BBC iPlayer at decent streaming speeds from abroad
A growing reputation for unblocking popular streaming sites from anywhere
Keeps no logs whatsoever
Privacy and security are high-grade
Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat
GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Unblocks many popular UK shows and allows up to 6 devices on the same account. Small network of servers but fast, encrypted connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
PrivateVPN CouponSave 77% on the two year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
5. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice for streaming. It works with BBC iPlayer and lots of other popular streaming platforms, including Netflix UK and US, ITV Hub, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Plus, it has blazing fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth so streaming HD video is no issue. Live chat is available 24/7 should you run into problems.
This service has a checkered privacy past but has improved its policy and doesn’t log any personally identifiable information past your session duration. It backs this up with strong security features, including military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch (in the Windows app). Additional security features include automatic wifi protection (in the mobile apps) and protection against DNS and WebRTC leaks.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS and you can connect five desktop or mobile devices at a time.
Hotspot Shield speed test data
Hotspot ShieldAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)48 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)49 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)48 Mbps
Large global network of servers
Very fast speeds for streaming HD content
Strong encryption and other security features
Allows 5 simultaneous connections
45-day money-back guarantee
Had past digital privacy issues
Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments
Great low-cost VPN:Hotspot Shield comes at a low price and its fast speeds and excellent unblocking abilities make it a great option for streaming content from BBC iPlayer and other platforms. It even comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review
Hotspot Shield CouponSpecial Deal – save 77% on the 3 year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
6. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has a good server choice with six locations in their server network across the UK alone. While it’s one of our favorite all round VPNs, ExpressVPN has been less reliable with BBC iPlayer recently. Its speeds remain exceptional, though, plus it offers live chat-based support 24 hours per day.
ExpressVPN logs no identifying personal information and boasts top-notch security standards. It operates servers in over 90 countries, each optimized for maximum speed. If you want to watch iPlayer on a streaming device that doesn’t natively support VPNs, ExpressVPN makes its own router firmware which customers can either download and install free of charge or purchase with a pre-flashed router on the website.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain wifi routers.
ExpressVPN speed test data
ExpressVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)135. 7 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)134 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)136 Mbps
Servers in the UK are great for streaming in HD quality
Unblocks most popular streaming sites with ease
Best-in-class encryption makes for solid security and privacy
24/7 live chat support staff are on the ball
Not the cheapest choice on this list
Worth trying, but less reliable at avoiding the VPN ban than it once was
RELIABLE SPEEDS:ExpressVPN is fast and secure, making it perfect for unblocking popular services. Offers top-notch security, reliable download speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN here.
ExpressVPN CouponSPECIAL OFFER: 49% off plus 3 months Free! Get Deal >Coupon applied automatically
7. Private Internet Access
Background
FireTV
Private Internet Access boasts dedicated streaming servers for the UK, and unblocks BBC iPlayer without breaking a sweat. Speeds are fast enough for live HD streaming, and there are no bandwidth limits at all. Further, PIA has a generous 10-connection limit and offers live chat support around the clock.
This service offers plenty of security features, including adjustable encryption (up to 256-bits), a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and even support for the extremely fast Wireguard protocol. There’s a strict no-logs policy in place too, so your privacy is in good hands.
PIA apps are available for iOS, MacOS, Linux, Windows, and Android.
Private Internet Access speed test data
Private Internet AccessAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)116. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)50. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)38 Mbps
Generally fast connections with unlimited bandwidth
True no-logs policy
Works wide a wide range of streaming services
Streaming speeds can be inconsistent
SOLID ALL ROUNDER:Private Internet Access achieves decent speeds although they can be variable. Reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and has great digital privacy credentials. Lacks some popular features. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PIA review.
Private Internet Access CouponSave 83% on the 3 year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
8. VyprVPN
VyprVPN has high-speed servers making it a great option for unblocking the BBC iPlayer streaming service. It also works to stream content from other popular sites, including Netflix. This VPN even works in China, where most of its rivals are blocked outright. As a bonus, plans include access to online storage and encrypted messaging apps.
This VPN service uses strong encryption and includes DNS leak protection and a kill switch. It does store some logs, including the user IP address which might be a turnoff to more privacy-conscious users. It scored well in our speed tests, so you should have no problem streaming the latest season of Peaky Blinders in HD.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
VyprVPN speed test data
VyprVPNAverage Connection Speed – North America (USA)41 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Europe (UK)44. 3 MbpsAverage Connection Speed – Asia (Hong Kong)47. 3 Mbps
Unblocks BBC iPlayer and plenty of other streaming sites
Operates servers in the UK
Great unblocking capabilities, even works well in China
Marginally more expensive than some VPNs
Lacking options for advanced configuration
No cryptocurrency payment options
EASY TO USE:VyprVPN is user friendly. A solid choice. Stores no logs, offers great security and unblocks most streaming services. More pricey than some. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
VyprVPN CouponSAVE 87% on the three year planGet Deal >Discount applied automatically
No valueNordVPNSurfsharkCyberGhostPrivateVPNHotspot ShieldExpressVPNPrivate Internet AccessVyprVPNUnblocks BBC iPlayerimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlimage/svg+xmlReccomended for other streaming servicesHulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO MaxHulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO MaxHulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO MaxHulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO MaxAmazon PrimeNetflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO MaxHuluAverage speed (USA)111. 7 Mbps70. 3 Mbps78. 7 Mbps94 Mbps48 Mbps135. 7 Mbps43 Mbps41 MbpsSimultaneous connections6 devicesUnlimited7 devices6 devices5 devices5 devices10 devices3 devicesMoney-back Guarantee30 Days30 Days45 Days30 Days45 days30 Days30 Days30 DaysLowest monthly cost$3. 49$1. 99$2. 25$1. 89$2. 99$6. 67$2. 85$5. 00
VPNs to avoid using with BBC iPlayer
Our tests show that the following VPN providers do not unblock the BBC iPlayer, according to our tests.
PureVPN
IPVanish
HideMyAss
Betternet
LeVPN
SuperVPN
VPNBook
VPNTunnel
AnonymousVPN
Perfect Privacy
Tunnelr
VPN4All
EarthVPN
GooseVPN
iPredator
Overplay
VPNJack
VPN Master
TorVPN
Although many of the VPN providers in the above list may be excellent for other online activities, you would be wasting your money with them if your main aim is to get videos from the BBC iPlayer over the internet while abroad.
How to use a VPN with BBC iPlayer (video)
Getting a British IP address and unblocking BBC iPlayer is simple if your VPN supports doing so. Sign up with one of the recommended VPN providers above and follow these easy steps.
Here’s how to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK with a VPN.
Download and install the VPN for your device from your provider’s site or an official app store. We recommend NordVPN.
Run the app and choose a VPN server in the UK that works with iPlayer. If you’re not certain which to choose, consult your provider’s website or customer service.
Connect to the VPN.
You should now have a UK IP address (check here).
Clear your cookies and your browser cache. These can store location information from previous sessions.
Open BBC iPlayer and start watching!
If you encounter any issues, contact your VPN’s customer support. You might need to adjust some settings on your device.
What can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Some of the most popular TV shows you can watch on BBC iPlayer with a VPN include:
Top Gear
EastEnders
Doctor Who
His Dark Materials
Planet Earth
Killing Eve
The Graham Norton Show
Dracula
Normal People
Our Girl
A Suitable Boy
Inside No. 9
Euro 2020
See also
Best VPNs for ITV
Best VPNs for Sky Go
How to stream British TV abroad
VPN for BBC iPlayer FAQs
Will free VPNs work with BBC? We’ve yet to find a free VPN that works reliably with BBC iPlayer. VPN services invest considerable sums into keeping their services working with streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video so it’s unsurprising free ones are not up to the iPlayer not working with your VPN? Try thisNote that we can’t guarantee these VPNs will work on the iPlayer website or the iPlayer app. If you run into trouble, it’s often simply a case of disconnecting and trying a different VPN server. If that doesn’t work, there may be bigger issues.
If you’re using the BBC iPlayer app, you should know that apps for iOS, Android, streaming media boxes, smart TVs, and game consoles can force a device onto your internet service provider’s DNS servers instead of the VPN’s. One way to get around this is to set up the VPN on your home wifi router or a virtual router instead of using the VPN app. Check out our tutorials on how to configure VPN-enabled virtual routers using both PC laptops and Macbooks.
Even after you connect to a VPN server, BBC iPlayer might have stored your previous “location” in a cookie that’s still active. If you still see a warning that the streaming content is not available in your location, you might need to clear your cookies. You can do this either in your browser settings or using an extension like EditThisCookie.
Sometimes when using a VPN, the BBC iPlayer page might not load at all and instead return an error page. If this is happening to you, you might need to flush your DNS cache. On Windows, type “cmd” into your search bar and open Command Prompt. Type in the following command and hit enter: ipconfig /flushdns. For Mac users, find the instructions for your version of OSX here.
Finally, clear any cached data that might allow iPlayer to see your real location. You can clean out your entire browser cache in the settings, but usually it’s enough to hold CTRL and hit F5 to perform a “hard” even more troubleshooting tips see our guide on VPNs not working with BBC if I don’t have a UK TV license? When trying to access BBC iPlayer, you might get a notification informing you that a UK TV license is required to watch any program on the site. When prompted, many sources report you can simply click “I have a TV license”.
BBC apparently depends on the honor system to keep viewers honest and does not require actual proof that the user has a TV license. This message was added to iPlayer’s terms of service in September 2016.
Access to the BBC iPlayer streaming service now requires viewers to register a BBC account and input a valid UK postcode. The form does not seem to verify whether or not the registrant actually lives within the postal code they input, so as long as you have a UK IP address, you should be I watch Planet Earth II on BBC iPlayer? Yes, Planet Earth II and Blue Planet 2 are both on BBC iPlayer and available for free. It’s even in HD! Just make sure you have one of the VPNs above if you’re outside of the country. You’ll need plenty of bandwidth to watch the wildlife in stunning high I use a free proxy to access BBC iPlayer? Unlikely. BBC iPlayer is notoriously difficult to access with most VPNs and proxies. It will likely detect that you’re using a proxy and prevent you from watching the show. Stick with the VPNs recommended above for the most reliable access to BBC iPlayer from much Internet does BBC iPlayer use? BBC iPlayer can stream in different resolutions and will adjust quality according to your available bandwidth. The highest resolution is 720p, which requires at least 5 Mbps of available bandwidth. You will need a minimum of 3. 2 Mbps to watch TV shows without I Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, Canada and USA? Yes! But without a VPN, you can only access the international version, which doesn’t include most of the on-demand TV shows and catch-up content. You can use one of the VPNs recommended above to access the full UK version by connecting to a server in the United Kingdom first. Make sure to clear your browser cookies and cache does BBC iPlayer detect and block me when I’m overseas? BBC iPlayer, like many other streaming services, users your IP address to determine your location. Your IP address is a unique sequence of numbers and decimals used to identify your device and its approximate location. A VPN hides your location by changing your public IP address to that of another country, such as the UK.
If you’ve attempted to access BBC iPlayer from abroad and failed, the site might store your blocked status in your web browser. If you’re using one of the VPNs above and still can’t access iPlayer, be sure to clear your browser cookies and web cache.
BBC iPlayer also prompts new users for a UK postal code in order to use the service. The code a user enters is not verified, though; it accepts any genuine UK postal do I stop my ISP from throttling BBC iPlayer? If you believe your internet service provider is specifically throttling BBC iPlayer, then a VPN can help. By encrypting the contents of your internet connection and routing it through an intermediary server, your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re doing online. In turn, it won’t be able to discriminate against a specific type or source of data, such as a BBC iPlayer stream.
However, if your ISP is throttling all your data and not just BBC iPlayer, then a VPN won’t help much. If you’ve reached your monthly data cap, for example, then throttling will be applied to all internet traffic whether it goes through a VPN or does BBC iPlayer Radio block some programs when I listen from outside the UK? Like TV shows and movies, radio content is also restricted according to your location. While most BBC Sounds content is available worldwide, some sports and music can’t be accessed from outside the UK without a VPN. This is usually due to licensing restrictions.
If BBC iPlayer blocks you from listening to radio content, you’ll hear one of two messages:
Live content: “This content is unavailable due to technical or rights reasons. ”
On-demand content: “Sorry, this content can only be played in the UK. ”
Has the BBC iPlayer blocked NordVPN? NordVPN works with BBC iPlayer as of time of writing. That being said, BBC iPlayer occasionally blocks connections from known VPN servers. This might result in BBC iPlayer being temporarily unavailable. This can happen to any VPN, however, and isn’t specific to NordVPN.
If you’re unable to access NordVPN through BBC iPlayer, you can contact customer service so they can start working on a fix. Access is usually restored within a day or ‘s new on BBC iPlayer? Below are just a few of the newest titles available on BBC iPlayer.
Reclaiming Amy
Uprising
Tokyo Olympics 2020
Baptiste Season 2
Mayans Season 3
Lady Bird
Pretty Little Liars Season 1-7
The Watch
How can I watch national and regional programmes? | iPlayer help – BBC
You can watch national and regional programmes on BBC iPlayer no matter where you are in the UK. Here’s how:
Watching on demand
To watch national and regional programmes on demand, just search for the programme in the BBC iPlayer search bar. Most programmes are available shortly after broadcast. You can also easily find a selection of programmes in the Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales categories.
You can also use the TV Guide to find the programme you’re looking for. The TV Guide you see will depend on the location you’ve set BBC iPlayer to, so you might want to change your location. Scroll down to find out how to do that on your device.
Watching live
Once you’ve set your location, you’re all set to watch live local news and programmes from your selected region by going to Channels > On Now.
How to change your location
Website
On the BBC iPlayer website on your computer, mobile or tablet, the Change Location option is located at the bottom left of the BBC iPlayer page.
Having trouble setting your location on the website? If you haven’t accepted cookies for the BBC website, we won’t be able to remember your location settings.
Head to the How can I change my BBC cookie settings? page to make sure your BBC cookies are switched on and to find out more about how we use cookies across the BBC website.
Connected TV
On our BBC iPlayer TV app, you can change your location by going to Settings and selecting Change Location.
Mobile and tablet app
On our BBC iPlayer app for mobiles and tablets, you can change your location by going to Settings and selecting Change Location.
Why does BBC iPlayer forget my location?
If you find you have to change your location each time you use BBC iPlayer, it may be because you’ve opted out of BBC cookies. Check the How can I change my BBC cookie settings? page on the Using the BBC website to make sure your BBC cookies are switched on and to find out more about how we use cookies across the BBC website.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to get bbc iplayer to work outside uk
How can I watch BBC iPlayer outside UK?
8 Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer that still work in 2021NordVPN Best option for accessing BBC iPlayer from anywhere. … Surfshark Our top budget pick. … CyberGhost Works well with BBC iPlayer and other streaming services. … PrivateVPN Good up-and-coming VPN that works well with BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.More items…•Jul 27, 2021
How do I change my country on BBC iPlayer?
On our BBC iPlayer TV app, you can change your location by going to Settings and selecting Change Location. On our BBC iPlayer app for mobiles and tablets, you can change your location by going to Settings and selecting Change Location.
Can I access BBC iPlayer abroad?
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.
