Proxy To Watch Bbc
How to Watch BBC iPlayer With a VPN or UK Proxy
These days, watching TV on your computer is a cinch. It is so easy that many people eschew a regular TV altogether and exclusively use online services. Sadly, geo-restrictions limit some of the best content to certain countries.
BBC iPlayer is one such service. The BBC’s video streaming service is only available to viewers in the UK. Attempting to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK displays an error message. However, there are ways to circumvent these location-based restrictions.
Here’s how you can watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN or UK proxy.
1. Watch BBC iPlayer Using a VPN
Your first option is using a virtual private network (VPN). You can use a VPN to make your web traffic appear as if it originates in the UK. Thus, when you attempt to access BBC iPlayer from another country, the service will show the content.
The BBC is no stranger to VPNs. At times, some VPNs struggle to maintain their connections to BBC iPlayer as the BBC blacklists known VPN server addresses. However, all is not lost; there are several excellent VPN providers that keep ahead of the blacklisting.
Are you new to the idea of VPNs? Then first read our explanation of what a VPN is and how a VPN works.
There are three VPN providers you should check out:
ExpressVPN
CyberGhost
NordVPN
In our experience, these three VPNs consistently allow you access to the BBC iPlayer streaming service from another country. While traveling, I use ExpressVPN to make sure I don’t miss my favorite programs. You can grab a special MakeUseOf discount on an ExpressVPN subscription using this link!
Once you subscribe to a VPN provider, download and install the VPN software. Open the VPN software, input your user credentials, and then select a UK-based VPN server. After the connection establishes, you can watch BBC iPlayer.
2. Watch BBC iPlayer Using a Browser Extension
Unfortunately, the number of free UK proxy services able to access BBC iPlayer has fallen dramatically since the BBC stepped up enforcement against known proxy servers. It is a similar situation to the VPN services above, and the Tor exit nodes in the section below.
The BBC actively monitors known proxy server addresses for incoming data, and as such, it makes using a free UK proxy to watch BBC iPlayer incredibly difficult. Difficult, but not impossible.
Beebs
One of the best proxy options at the time of writing is a Chrome extension called Beebs. Beebs is a simple proxy extension for Google Chrome that allows you to access BBC iPlayer, as well as ITV Player and 4oD (two other UK broadcast channels with similar geo-restrictions). You will achieve the best results using Beebs with a single browser window open.
Download: Beebs for Google Chrome (Free)
Wachee
Another handy UK proxy option is Wachee. Wachee is also a Google Chrome browser extension that allows you to watch BBC iPlayer. Furthermore, Wachee enables you to view Netflix and Hulu, depending on your country of origin.
Download: Wachee for Google Chrome (Free)
3. Set Your Browser to Use a UK Proxy Server
Of course, you don’t have to rely on a browser extension. You can tell your browser to use a UK proxy server at all times. Sending all of your traffic through a UK proxy will allow you to watch BBC iPlayer. But if you are in a different country, any services and apps that rely on your location will cease to work.
That’s where a proxy switcher comes into play. With a proxy switcher installed, you can load up several different proxy servers to cycle through until you find one that works. After you finish watching your BBC iPlayer program, turn the proxy switcher off, and your settings return to normal.
Download: Proxy Switcher and Manager for Google Chrome (Free) | Opera (Free)
Download: FoxyProxy Standard for Mozilla Firefox (Free)
Then head to Xroxy and check out their massive list of UK proxy servers. You can copy and paste the details of the proxies into your proxy switcher of choice, then access BBC iPlayer.
4. Use a UK Tor Exit Node to Watch BBC iPlayer
As you can see above, the availability of free UK proxy services to watch BBC iPlayer is low. There is an alternative to a UK proxy server, though. You can attempt to use the Tor browser and the Tor network to access BBC iPlayer.
Please note that connections through Tor are slow. It isn’t like the regular internet, and as such, there is a strong chance you will struggle to watch a live stream. See other ways to unblock live TV streams while traveling for better methods.
Tor works by bouncing your data through different nodes around the globe. The process makes your data untraceable. If someone were to trace your data, they would find the IP address of the Tor network exit node, not your originating IP address. An exit node is where Tor network data re-joins the regular internet.
Here’s our unofficial guide to Tor. Read through it and set your Tor browser up.
Most of the time, you should leave your Tor settings well alone. A poorly configured Tor browser can expose your data. However, you can specify the exit node country. In this case, changing it to the UK (or, GB, as you will see) gives you a chance of watching BBC iPlayer.
After you first open and configure the Tor browser, it creates the “torrc” file. The torrc file contains configuration information, and you find it in the Tor installation folder. For instance, my torrc file is found at: “C:\Users\Gavin\Tor Browser\Browser\TorBrowser\Data\Tor. ” You can edit the torrc file using a text editor, like Notepad or Notepad++. Right-click the torrc file and select Open with > Notepad. (Or your text editor of choice; I’m using Notepad++, but the process is the same. )
Now, you need to add the following lines to the torrc file:
EntryNodes {your country code} StrictNodes 1
ExitNodes {gb}, {uk} StrictNodes 1
You can find your country entry code using the Tor country codes list.
Save the file, overwriting the existing file. When you open Tor, your exit node preferences will update, and you should be able to access BBC iPlayer.
Yes, You Can Watch BBC iPlayer in the US!
As you can see, you can watch the fantastic range of programming from the BBC from wherever you are in the world, including the US.
The BBC is making it increasingly difficult to watch iPlayer, with geo-restrictions, limitations on programming, and known proxy and VPN server blocks standing in your way. However, by using one of the methods outlined above you will be able to unlock BBC iPlayer.
It isn’t just BBC iPlayer that comes loaded with geo-restrictions, mind. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and a heap of other video-on-demand services struggle with geo-licensing restrictions. In all honesty, a VPN is the best option to skirt those restrictions.
With that in mind, here is our guide to the best VPN services to get you started.
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Gavin is the Junior Editor for Windows and Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast, and a regular product reviewer. He has a BA (Hons) Contemporary Writing with Digital Art Practices pillaged from the hills of Devon, as well as over a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.
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Unblocking BBC iPlayer to Watch Abroad | Best Proxy Reviews
Do you live outside the UK but want to watch BBC Shows on any of the BBC iPlayer platforms? Without proxies, you can’t. Come in now and discover the best proxies and VPN you can use to enable you to access BBC iPlayer anywhere in the iPlayer is quite popular among people interested in watching BBC Shows, catchups, and other UK broadcasting. The BBC iPlayer had been made to be available on a good number of platforms, including Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Tv, and a host of other platforms including game consoles such as the PS4, PS3, and Xbox. While they support a good number of platforms, there is an inherent problem and keep a good number of intending viewers away from this streaming service – the BC iPlayer is available only for viewing in the means that the moment you step your foot out of the United Kingdom, you won’t be able to make use of the BBC iPlayer service again. For some users, they can afford to forget about using the service, but for others, they cant, and they are on the lookout for techniques they can use to be able to make use of the BBC iPlayer service outside of the UK. If you are one of such person, then this article has been written for you. You will be learning how to unblock the BBC iPlayer service and access it outside of the UK. Some of the techniques to achieve that are discussed Private proxies choice: MyPrivateProxy, YourPrivateProxy, and Blazing VPN Server choice: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish VPNFree Choice (Not recommend for slow): Hola VPN, Beebs, and Unblocker for BBC iPlayerFree VPNs and Proxies for Unblocking BBC iPlayerWe are starting with the free methods you can use for accessing BBC iPlayer outside of the UK. One thing you need to know about the free options is that you cant be aggressive with the usage, and in some instances, it might not work for you the way it should. However, if you do not have a budget for any of the paid options discussed after this free section, then you can opt-in for one of the 3 free options discussed VPNThe Hola VPN is one of the free VPN in the market. With this, you can connect to the Internet through IPs in the United Kingdom, and as such, your access to BBC iPlayer will be granted. Hola VPN works quite great most times – thanks to the fact that it makes use of residential IPs gotten from its peer-to-peer network. Hola VPN will provide you unrestricted access to websites and provide you a lightning thing you need to know about Hola VPN free option is that your connection to the Internet is not encrypted, and they keep logs of your activities. For this, you need to make sure you only use it for BBC iPlayer and switch to another proxy or VPN for your regular more, Residential VPN: Get Best Free & Paid Residential IP VPN ServicesBeebsUnlike Hola VPN that is not a BBC iPlayer specific service, Beebs is quite specific in its usage as it has been developed to allow people outside of the UK to watch British TV from the comfort of where they are. Aside from the BBC iPlayer service, Beebs also has support for a few other services like the TvPlayer, iTv, and Channel is available as a Chrome extension, and you need to download it and access the service from your browser. Beebs acts as a VPN server that will route your requests through British IP addresses. It is fast enough to give you an uninterrupted streaming experience. Unblocker for BBC iPlayerThe Unblocker application for BBC iPlayer is a Chrome extension that you can use to unblock BBC iPlayer at the push of a button. With this Chrome extension installed in your Chrome browser, you can bypass the “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK” error message and access the service ass if you are accessing the service from the finitely, this service makes use of a proxy or VPN server behind the scene to get it to work. Unblocker is not completely free to use. It free option which we are discussing here only allows you to stream for 20-minute in a day. For unrestricted access, you will have to subscribe to their $12. 99 more, Using Proxies to Stream Netflix and YouTube From Any CountryPaid UK Private Proxies for BBC iPlayerUsing proxies is also one of the best ways you can unblock BBC iPlayer and access its content. However, not all proxies will work. You will have to make use of proxies with servers in the UK as only then will they be functional for this particular use case. While residential proxies are the best for this, they are generally expensive, and most come with limited bandwidth. For this, we are recommending private proxies for PrivateProxyLocations: US and EU region onlyConcurrency Allowed: Up to 100 threadsBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedCost: $1. 49 per proxy for a monthMyPrivateProxy is one of the best datacenter proxy providers in the market. They make use of super-secure servers across a good number of North American cities and a few other locations in Europe. Interestingly, they have proxy servers in the UK. This, coupled with the fact that their proxies are very fast and come with an excellent uptime of 99 percent, makes it perfect for unblocking the BBC iPlayer service. It has been tested with the service, and it has proven to work. While it is paid, it is actually cheap. Make sure the proxy you buy from them is a UK rPrivateProxyLocations: 29 locationsConcurrency Allowed: 20 threads per IPBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedCost: Starts at $6. 97 per proxy for a monthYourPrivateProxy is another provider you can get datacenter proxies that can be used for unblocking BBC iPlayer. Their proxies are strictly dedicated proxies, and you are guaranteed you won’t be sharing IP with someone else. With YourPrivateProxy, you can start using the proxies you paid for within 5 minutes. Their proxies have proven to be very fast, reliable, and comes with unlimited bandwidth just like every other datacenter proxies. However, unlike MyPrivateProxy, YourPrivateProxy datacenter proxies, especially when paying for fewer proxies. They have support for about 29 locations – make sure you just UK when making payment. Blazing ProxiesLocations: 9 countriesConcurrency Allowed: UnlimitedBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedCost: $1. 20 per proxy for a monthFor a streaming service as BBC iPlayer service, speed is a very important factor in ensuring a fluid experience. Blazing Proxies provides the speed required to make sure you do not suffer from any form of interruption while streaming. Blazing Proxies is a brainchild of BlazingSEO LLC. Their private proxies are built on secure servers that come packed with lots of power. With Blazing Proxies, you will enjoy unlimited threads and bandwidth. Blazing Proxies proxy allocation is automatic and delivery instant – this means that you can start streaming immediately after payment. Make sure you choose the UK when making a VPN Services for Unblocking BBC iPlayerAnother option you have when it comes to unblocking BBC iPlayer is to make use of a VPN service. They work the same way proxies work, but you can be sure that your traffic is encrypted, and they are tailored toward personal privacy online – unlike proxies that are tailored toward Internet marketing. the VPNs recommended below are paid VPNs, but they are guaranteed to work with BBC iPlayer rdVPNLocations: 59 countriesBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedSupported Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, FirefoxCost: Starts at $6. 99 for a monthWhen it comes to the world of VPN service provision, NordVPN is arguably one of the best in the market. It provides users private and secure access to the Internet and will help you access websites on the Internet from locations you are not present. NordVPN can help you unblock BBC iPlayer effortlessly. One thing you will come to like about NordVPN is that it has support for multiple platforms, including many of the platforms supported by BBC iPlayer. This means that you can use it with your favorite platform – and you can use the same subscription for up to 6 devices at a more, What’s The Difference Between a Proxy and a VPN? ExpressVPNLocations: 94 countriesBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedSupported Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers, Chrome, FirefoxCost: $12. 95 for a monthExpressVPN is one of the trusted VPN service providers in the market because of its readability and compatibility with many websites on the Internet. ExpressVPN has VPN servers in a good number of locations around the world, with the UK being one of the key locations it supports. Because of this, it can be for streaming BBC iPlayer service without any problem faced. ExpressVPN provides you unrestricted access to the world wide web, and it is available on the major operating systems and platforms. It makes use of ultra-fast VPN servers and provides you powerful protection against censorship. IPVanish VPNLocations: 75 countriesBandwidth Allowed: UnlimitedSupported Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS, Amazon Fire TVCost: $10 for a monthThe last on the list of VPN services you can use for circumventing the “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK” error message is IPVanish VPN service. It might not be a very popular choice among Internet users, but it works excellently. IPVanish will provide you an unmatched private connection to the Internet at a fast speed and unblock a good number of geo-targeted content that has locked you out. IPVanish is quite affordable and still get the job done. Just like every other one discussed above, IPVanish provides you 30 days money-back about BBC iPlayer ProxyWhy Can’t I Access BBC iPlayer Outside of the UK? According to the information provided on the BBC UK official website, the main reason why you cannot access the BBC iPlayer service outside of the UK is due to rights agreements. However, if you have already downloaded content in the UK, you can watch it anywhere in the world. The did state that they are looking forward to letting UK license fee payers access the service when they are abroad. For now, there are some technical issues that need to be resolved before that is BBC iPlayer Allow the Use of Proxies or VPN Services? BBC iPlayer does not permit the use of any proxy service or VPN service. In fact, they are actually on the lookout for proxy/VPN through traffic to block, and they have succeeded in blocking traffic from many of these sources. However, some of the services have turned out undetectable to BBC iPlayer anti-spam system, and as such, they still work Must I Use Proxies from the UK? This is because you must either be surfing the Internet from the UK or appear to be surfing from the UK before you can access the BBC iPlayer service. Since you are outside of the UK, then using proxies or VPN service that routes your requests through UK IP addresses is the only option to Find and Track an IP Address? What Does an IP Address Tell You? ConclusionBBC iPlayer tries to derive people living outside of the UK access to its service. Unfortunately for it, the Internet has gone past that stage of deriving users access based on their location as there are techniques one can use to mimic surfing from any location in the world. Some of the popular methods you can use to unblock BBC iPlayer outside of the UK and access its content are discussed 20 Free Web Proxy Server to surf website anonymouslyHow Do I Unblock Facebook Using Proxies? Proxy Buying Guide: How to Choose a Proxy Provider!
Are VPNs safe to use? And are they actually legal? | T3
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Let’s start this right away by being super clear – you can use the best VPN completely legally. That makes it sound like you won’t need to read on but that’s not the case. You see, guns are legal too in some places, but they can still get you in a lot of analogies aside, a VPN, or virtual private network, is legal to use in itself but it simply depends what you do with it. The VPN gives you privacy online which is, or should be, your right. But privacy is a very difficult area both in real life and online, as it means treading the line between personal freedom and being able to hide illegal activity from the authorities. To avoid getting too political we’ll just focus on what a VPN does that is and isn’t can a VPN do that is legal? A VPN is a very useful legal tool which can protect you online. Say you’re on holiday and want to connect to hotel Wi-Fi. Since this is an open connection it might not be secure so to protect yourself from being snooped on you can use a VPN which will mask your identity. This applies to all open Wi-Fi when you might be at risk and anonymity can be your friend. A VPN can also make you appear somewhere you’re not – whether that be a paid-for or free VPN – allowing you to get around geo-restricted to know more? We’ve gone in-depth with our guide on what is a VPN and how they I watch BBC iPlayer legally on a VPN? Perhaps you’re in another country and want to catch up on a BBC iPlayer show from back home. If you’re a UK TV licence payer then you’re legally allowed to watch, no matter where you are. But, since the BBC controls this by limiting it to the UK, you may be blocked when away. A VPN can simply make you appear to be in the UK by bouncing you through a UK based server. There’s nothing illegal about ever, if you’re not a licence payer and you do this, then you’re technically stealing. And you don’t need us to tell you that’s a bad thing! Using the best Netflix VPN on the other hand is a direct breach of the streaming giant’s terms and conditions. That doesn’t seem to stop people doing it a VPN illegal for torrents? Some, not all, VPNs support P2P or torrent traffic. This is where files are shared between devices across the internet. This is a very difficult territory. While the sharing isn’t strictly illegal, it can be. The point here is what you are actually if you’re downloading a free book which is distributed via a torrent, then fill your digital bookshelves with the stuff. However, if you’re downloading a Hollywood movie it’s more than likely this is being illegally distributed and you are I be caught for illegal VPN use? All the illegal activities you can do with a VPN, you can mostly do without a VPN. It’s the use of a VPN that will keep you anonymous if you do carry out those acts. While that technically means there is less chance of you getting caught, it’s still not impossible should you be just remember, a VPN isn’t illegal, it’s what you do with it that defines if you’re breaking the law or not. And that’s a whole other article, we’re afraid!
Luke is a freelance writer and editor with over two decades of experience covering tech, science and health. Among many others he writes across Future titles covering health tech, software and apps, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and plenty more. He also likes to climb mountains, swim outside and contort his body into silly positions while breathing as calmly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about proxy to watch bbc
Is using a VPN to watch BBC illegal?
Perhaps you’re in another country and want to catch up on a BBC iPlayer show from back home. If you’re a UK TV licence payer then you’re legally allowed to watch, no matter where you are. … A VPN can simply make you appear to be in the UK by bouncing you through a UK based server. There’s nothing illegal about this.Apr 13, 2021
How can I watch BBC outside the 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
Can you watch BBC through Internet?
You can watch live streams and programmes on BBC iPlayer, BBC News and BBC Sport (when available) as they’re being broadcast on television or online. … You will need to be signed in to your BBC account to watch live and on-demand television and streams on the BBC website.
