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(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
That means, if you’re a Brit abroad or are wanting to stream content from overseas, you’re fresh out of luck. However, with the help of aVPN, you can watch UK TV no matter where you are - and we’re here to tell you how.
So whether you’re wanting to watch Peaky Blinders for its final season on BBC, don’t want to miss a moment of the Premier League action, or need your fix of Vitamin D and binge last year’sLove Islandon the ITV Hub, utilizing a VPN will get you access to the 100% free catch-up platforms, as well as being able to unlock those services you pay for including Sky Go, Now TV, and BT TV. Keep reading as we explain exactly how.
(Image credit: BBC)
(Image credit: BBC)
How can I watch UK TV abroad?
When you’re in the UK, while you may need a valid TV licence for certain broadcasters, watching on-demand services is as easy as visiting its website, registering a free account and hitting play. However, when you’re on outside of the country for whatever reason, it’s a different story.
For instance, if you try to watch something on BBC iPlayer, you’ll be presented with the following message:BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.
Simply hop onto a UK server and the VPN will alter your IP address and encrypt your outgoing internet data. Sounds complicated, but in layman’s terms, this means it will spoof both your device and the platform itself into thinking you’re in the country, opening the doors to a whole host of UK TV you can watch abroad.
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But which VPN is up for the job? We’ve put providers through rigorous testing and this is the one that comes out on top…
Which VPN can I use to watch UK TV abroad?
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is the best for unblocking UK TV abroad, gaining access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, and My5, on top of paid for streaming services like Now, Sky Go, and BT TV.A top provider all round, ExpressVPN also offers a seamless interface, great privacy features and impeccable speeds. Best of all, T3 readers can benefit from3 months free on 12-month plansandrest assured of their purchase with ExpressVPN’s100% risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
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How to use a VPN to watch UK TV abroad
While the innerworkings of a VPN may sound complicated, the process of using a VPN to watch UK TV abroad really isn’t.
All you need to do issign up and install your VPNon your chosen device. This takes a matter of minutes, especially if you go for ExpressVPN as recommended above.
Once it’s installed on your device, you simply need to select and connect to a server based in the UK. Werecommend connecting to it before visiting the streaming platform’s websiteor launching its app to avoid any slight chance of the site detecting you’re using a VPN. While unlikely with ExpressVPN, this has been an issue for other VPNs in the past.
You’llneed to login or create an account, but this is free to do so, and, of course, you won’t be asked to provide any payment details. While you will have to enter in a postcode, if you’re not happy to use your own, you can always look one up online, which will more than suffice.
From there, pick what you want to watch, hit play, and enjoy watching UK TV no matter where you are in the world.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Is watching UK TV abroad legal?
In the UK, Brits will need to be in possession of a valid TV licence in order to watch the UK’s free-to-air channels live. The same goes for when you’re abroad and wanting to watch any live broadcasts from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, or just about any other Freeview channel.
That said, while you will need a TV licence to also watch anything on BBC iPlayer, other on-demand platforms don’t require one for streaming catch-up content.
Compare the overall best VPN providers:+4 MONTHS FREEExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthViewNordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView+4 months freeSurfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthViewProton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView+4 MONTHS FREEPrivate Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Compare the overall best VPN providers:+4 MONTHS FREEExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthViewNordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView+4 months freeSurfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthViewProton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView+4 MONTHS FREEPrivate Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Compare the overall best VPN providers:+4 MONTHS FREEExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthViewNordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView+4 months freeSurfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthViewProton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView+4 MONTHS FREEPrivate Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Compare the overall best VPN providers:
+4 MONTHS FREEExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthViewNordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView+4 months freeSurfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthViewProton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView+4 MONTHS FREEPrivate Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthView
+4 MONTHS FREEExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthView
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
ExpressVPN 24 month$4.99/mthView
ExpressVPN 24 month
ExpressVPN 24 month
$4.99/mth
$4.99/mth
$4.99/mth
/mth
View
NordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView
NordVPN 2 Year$3.39/mthView
NordVPN 2 Year
NordVPN 2 Year
$3.39/mth
$3.39/mth
$3.39/mth
/mth
View
+4 months freeSurfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthView
+4 months free
+4 months free
+4 months free
+4 months free
+4 months free
Surfshark 24 Months$2.19/mthView
Surfshark 24 Months
Surfshark 24 Months
$2.19/mth
$2.19/mth
$2.19/mth
/mth
View
Proton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView
Proton VPN 24 months TG$3.59/mthView
Proton VPN 24 months TG
Proton VPN 24 months TG
$3.59/mth
$3.59/mth
$3.59/mth
/mth
View
+4 MONTHS FREEPrivate Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthView
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
+4 MONTHS FREE
Private Internet Access 24 Month$2.03/mthView
Private Internet Access 24 Month
Private Internet Access 24 Month
$2.03/mth
$2.03/mth
$2.03/mth
/mth
View
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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