One thing that a lot of people like to do when abroad is catch up on their favourite shows, but if you’re travelling out of the UK, you may notice that you can’t watch BBC iPlayer at all. Here’s what you can do about that.
Why BBC iPlayer is Blocked Outside the UK
One reason why you can’t watch UK television platforms like BBC iPlayer and ITVX outside the UK is due to geo-restrictions. This usually comes down to licensing agreements, as BBC is a British channel that is only broadcasted in the UK. It’s not just television that geo-restrictions can affect either. Websites that offer games might also limit their offerings. Not all Netflix games are accessible in every country, for example.
Sometimes, sites also impose geo-restrictions on paid games, because the site doesn’t accept the primary currency from that country. This isn’t the case for all games, however. If you play roulette online on a UK website, for example, you may notice specific variants, like 20p Roulette. Games like this cater specifically to a UK audience, but can still be played by people from other regions, as multiple currency deposits are supported. This allows people to play the games that they love even if travelling, but it’s up to the site’s discretion whether they decide to do this, or impose geo-restrictions for ease and convenience.
Although in the UK, the BBC isn’t the only platform to impose geo-restrictions, the sheer amount of content available can make it a hard adjustment if you’re a regular user. Regarding the BBC, it’s a case of television restrictions. The BBC is in agreement with numerous other television services to only stream their content within the UK, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t workarounds.
How to Watch UK Television Platforms When Travelling
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK, then you’ll need to use a VPN. If you don’t then you’ll be presented with the “content isn’t available in your country” message. Using a VPN is relatively simple, and if you have an account already, all you need to do is log in to the VPN of your choosing, access a UK server and begin streaming. Using a VPN isn’t just a good way for you to access your favourite shows either. It also helps to protect you when travelling, as your data is encrypted and cannot be tracked.
If you are logging into online banking or if you are in a situation where you are on public transport and have to use free Wi-Fi, then this can help you to safeguard your personal details. This is a major benefit when using unsecured networks.
Using a VPN to access platforms, including BBC iPlayer, is also perfectly legal. You just need to make sure that you have a valid UK TV licence. If you do, because the UK is your home residence, then you shouldn’t have any issue in using a VPN to catch up on your favourite TV shows, whether it be The Traitors, The Apprentice, Black Snow, or Suits.
