BBC iPlayer is a commercial-free streaming platform which offers a huge range of high-quality content including news, TV programmes, and movies. Despite its popularity, the service is only available to devices with a UK IP address. Fortunately, there is a simple solution using VPNs that allows iPlayer content to be streamed from anywhere in the world. Keep reading to find out how to watch BBC iPlayer abroad in 2023!
| VPN Provider | Rating | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | Best value for money | Get CyberGhost | |
| ExpressVPN | Premium VPN | Get ExpressVPN | |
| Private Internet Access | Great VPN, good value | Get PIA VPN |
How to watch BBC iPlayer abroad quick guide
Time needed: 10 minutes.
If you’re a British resident who forgot to download your favourite shows before going abroad, or you just live outside the UK and want access to popular iPlayer programmes then all you need is a new IP address. Here is how you can get one –
- Choose a VPN
There is a wide range of both premium and free VPN services available. But BBC iPlayer uses strong geo-blocking technology. That’s why only the best VPNs will allow you to access all BBC iPlayer content. We suggest CyberGhost as this service has plenty of UK servers, and you should have no trouble using one of these servers to stream iPlayer content in HD or even 4K. You can also read more about our recommended premium or free VPNs to find one which suits you best.
- Connect to a UK server
Once you have chosen your VPN, download the software and install it onto your device. After this, you can select a UK server which will then give you a new IP address.
- Log back into BBC iplayer
Once you have your new UK IP address you can head to the BBC iPlayer website and either login or make a new account. You’ll now be free to stream live and on-demand TV from anywhere in the world.
Do I need a UK TV license to watch BBC iPlayer abroad?
Yes. If you want to stream content on BBC iPlayer in theory you will need to purchase a valid TV license. It costs £159 for a standard UK TV license, and you can find out more information on the TV licensing website. But when signing up on the website for a new account, all you need is a valid UK postcode (any postcode 😉 ).
The best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer abroad
VPNs can allow users to access new IP addresses which are located within the UK. This way, anyone can successfully log into UK streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and watch content from anywhere in the world. A suitable VPN should be able to bypass the geo-blocked content on iPlayer and provide fast connection speeds so that the content you stream is of the highest possible quality. Here is a list of our recommended free and premium VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer from Spain or anywhere else in the world.
If you not only want to access geo-blocked streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, but you also want to ensure that your privacy is protected from cyber threats, then a premium VPN is your best choice. Premium VPNs will provide unlimited data and bandwidth so that users can watch as much content as they wish without worrying about any data caps. VPNs with larger server coverage will make certain that your access will not be blocked by iPlayer as there will be many more UK servers to choose from. Here are our favourite premiums VPNs suitable for watching BBC iPlayer abroad:
- CyberGhost – Unlimited bandwidth, lightning-fast speeds, and over 7000+ servers, are just a few of the reasons why CyberGhost is one of the best premium services that money can buy. This VPN has many UK servers that can access BBC iPlayer content using 7 simultaneous connections. Using CyberGhost, you’ll be able to stream an unlimited amount of content without having to face any lag or buffering. If you’re still not convinced, then you can try CyberGhost for free for 45 days. CyberGhost also works in countries with internet restrictions such as Egypt, Turkey, Russia and China. So even in those countries you can watch BBC iPlayer on holidays.
- ExpressVPN – With an impressive range of servers and some of the fastest connection speeds out of all VPNs in the current market, ExpressVPN is undoubtedly a fantastic choice for bypassing geo-blocked streaming services. They also offer 5 device connections under one subscription so you’ll be able to watch BBC iPlayer on as many devices as you want all at the same time. Their military-grade encryption ensures that your data is not at risk and their interface is clean, reliable, and easy to navigate. All these features plus their reasonable subscription price makes ExpressVPN a great choice for streaming geo-blocked content.
- PIA (Private Internet Access) – PIA is another premium VPN service known for its extensive server network, with over 29,000 servers worldwide including several in the UK perfect for unblocking BBC iPlayer. It allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and also supports P2P file sharing. It employs strong security measures with AES-256 encryption and has a proven no-logs policy. It’s very user-friendly and offers a wide range of apps for various devices. All these make PIA an excellent choice for streaming BBC iPlayer from abroad.
What is BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is a popular, UK-based streaming platform that stands proudly among US-based services such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+. The service includes both live and catch-up content from all of BBC’s channels including BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, Radio 1, Cbeebies, CBBC, and BBC News. All content is available at no cost to UK residents. However, although downloaded content can be watched from devices abroad, new content cannot be accessed without a UK IP address. If the website or app is attempted to be accessed from any other country, then users will receive this message, “For rights reasons, you cannot stream programmes in BBC iPlayer outside the UK, even on holiday”.