If you are trying to use the BBC iPlayer outside of the UK then most likely you have received a message saying “BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only.”
How Does BBC iPlayer Block Access?
They use GeoIP filter to determine where you are located. So if your IP address is located outside of the UK, then you won’t be able to access the service.
How Can I get a UK IP address?
There are a couple of different options here. If you simply want to access iPlayer on your computers or mobile devices then a VPN service will work fine. If you plan to use iPlayer on TVs, gaming consoles etc.. Then you would want to use a smart DNS provider. We will provide some reliable options for both below.
VPN Providers
Using a VPN will allow you to have an IP address that is located in the country of your choice. Not all VPNs will allow you to use the BBC iPlayer however, they have taken extra steps to block some VPNs. Below we list a few that are not blocked.
With more than ten years of experience, NordVPN is a leading VPN provider. NordVPN gives you military-grade protection online, and you can access all your favorite sites without restriction.
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What Is The BBC iPlayer?
Since it was founded in 1922, the BBC has established itself as a premiere channel in the fields of television and radio. Available in nearly every country in the world, this public service broadcaster has not only entertained millions of fans over the years with such programs as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Sherlock and Top Gear, but is universally respected for its innovations in the fields of television and radio. Indeed, it was the BBC that served as one of the pioneering forces in the global transition from radio to television.
With BBC iPlayer, the broadcasting company continues their legacy of technological progress. This internet streaming service allows anyone to catch up with their favorite BBC radio and television programs at any time without commercial interruption. While certain news bulletin programs are only available for a 24 hour period following their initial broadcast, BBC iPlayer is nevertheless the most complete source for accessing nearly the entirety of the company’s programming from both past and present on demand.
What Do I Need To Download It?
Available for both iOS and Android Devices as well as PC and Mac along with such home entertainment streaming devices as Google Chomecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, Playstation 4, Wii U, Roku and more; BBC iPlayer has been entertaining millions of users with its nearly unrivaled entertainment library and extensive features.
The only problem is that unless you happen to be a resident of the United Kingdom, you cannot count yourself among its many satisfied users.
Although the BBC iPlayer experimented with what was referred to as the “BBC Global iPlayer” that allowed several European countries to become subscribers, that service was shut down in 2015. Other countries such as the United States never received an equivalent to the Global iPlayer at all due to reported licensing, market and technical issues. While similar streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu offer BBC content – and BBC itself is available as a premium cable channel globally – their beloved iPlayer remains UK only.
However, with a little know-how, it is actually possible to receive BBC iPlayer in just about any country by using a VPN or a amrt DNS service.
What Is VPN and Smart DNS?
As the BBC’s iPlayer restricts use via a computer’s region specific IP address, these programs help to change your IP in order to ensure that you are able to access region-locked content such as the iPlayer wherever you may be. Services like Getflix, Smarty DNS and Private Internet Access can be installed on your Mac, PC, mobile device or home entertainment device in order to modify your information so that BBC iPlayer believes you are in a compatible region.
It should be noted that VPN players are typically reserved for computers and mobile devices while DNS is geared more towards home entertainment devices. Also, while some VPN services such as Hola! are free and can be easily installed as a browser add-on, others will require a monthly subscription fee on top of the subscription fee of iPlayer or any other services that you may want to view.
As these services are primarily designed to allow users to access a secured internet connection that can not be viewed as easily by any monitoring agencies, these programs are not officially sanctioned by the BBC or iPlayer. However, those wishing to access the iPlayer library that do not live in a compatible region will find that locating one of these services that is compatible with your chosen device and installing it is currently the only way to access the BBC’s catch-up streaming service.
Getflix is the way to go. I’ve been using it for a while on my Xbox one and it works great for both Netflix and iPlayer. It was pretty easy to configure. Maybe you can add some info on how to do that for the beginners. Maybe a Smart DNS review and comparison page would be a good addition as well. I’m curious to see what other services are available.
The Smart DNS proxy is very good service to unblock any of the streaming site but a part form the bbc and other popular site . It is not able to unlock the site like cricfree or vodlocker which is not agood thing
Private Internet Access does not work anymore for iPlayer – do not subscribe as they do not do refunds after 7 days.
I’ve been trying to make contact with the BBC IPLAYER using various VPN but none seem to work anymore. Has the BBC changed something?
Have you tried Nord VPN? It’s working for the people I know using it. Try it out and see how it works.
Hi there, it will work with some VPNs but not so many after the BBC did a clampdown on this. PIA doesn’t work, I think that’s right, but really avoid HideMyAss too, which I thought would work, but doesn’t. I don’t really want to name any VPNs that work for iPlayer for fear of the BBC clamping down on them, but some of the best ones do work! You can also get iPlayer on a tablet working fine with a VPN.