How to Unblock iPlayer Outside the UK (Abroad in 2023)

Nwachukwu Glory Last updated: May 17, 2023 Read time: 14 minutes Disclosure

Want to unblock iPlayer outside the UK and watch BBC programs abroad? A VPN is all you need. This article quickly explains how to do it.

BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming site serving UK citizens, featuring loads of exciting movies, TV shows, and more. Unfortunately, the platform’s geo-restricted availability is often disappointing for its subscribers traveling abroad as they lose access to their favorite media due to a location change. Nonetheless, a robust streaming VPN can help users unblock iPlayer anywhere outside the UK.

Online streaming is on a dramatic rise all around the world. But it seems geo-blocking and media streaming go hand-in-hand.

People often connect to the internet to stream music, movies, live shows, TV Programs, etc. However, increasingly, streaming platforms deploy geo-blocking technologies to restrict access outside a particular region. It causes a lot of frustration for people as they cannot stream their favorite content.

BBC iPlayer is one such restrictive streaming platform. While it offers lots of streaming content from the BBC library, both new and old, it deploys geo-blocking technology and restricts viewers outside the UK.

But just because you’re not in the UK does not mean you shouldn’t have access to your favorite streaming platform. This guide explains how to unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK with simple and effective methods.

Stream BBC iPlayer anywhere with a VPN – Quick guide

In a rush to start streaming your favorite iPlayer TV shows? Here is a quick guide for unblocking iPlayer and watching it in the US or anywhere in the world you want:

  • Subscribe to a quality VPN service. Our number one recommendation is NordVPN.
  • Download and install the VPN application on your device.
  • Pick a UK server and connect to it.
  • Go to BBC iPlayer and sign in to your account.
  • You should have the iPlayer unblocked now. Enjoy your favorite BBC iPlayer content.

Why can’t I stream BBC iPlayer overseas?

BBC iPlayer is a content-rich platform offering a variety of exciting TV shows. It is a subscription-based service from BBC that aims to serve the UK’s people.

Like most other streaming services, BBC iPlayer also applies geo-restrictions to its content. Although numerous attempts were made earlier to expand iPlayer availability, none could succeed. Hence, today, iPlayer is available as a typical UK-exclusive streaming platform. Consequently, you can’t watch BBC iPlayer outside the United Kingdom boundaries.

While this is disappointing for binge-watchers, it is even more frustrating for the iPlayer subscribers who cannot watch their favorite programs only because they have moved outside the UK boundaries. However, with the right tools, you can easily change the IP country and watch iPlayer in America or any other country.

Can I unblock iPlayer abroad?

Unblock iPlayer outside UK in US
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Since BBC pays for its UK TV rights, it restricts viewers from other locations from accessing the streaming platform.

But as a legit subscriber to the service, you may want to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK, which is understandable. Nonetheless, the only strategy the BBC recommends for users is downloading programs offline in the UK before moving abroad.

Of course, this isn’t a permanent solution since you’ll miss out on all the latest episodes.

So, the good news is that you can still watch iPlayer by the BBC outside the UK the way you did back home using some workarounds. You have a couple of methods for this, including free proxy websites and SmartDNS services.

But the most reliable tool to break the robust geo-blocking technology of BBC iPlayer is a VPN. That’s because a VPN helps you mask your IP location with total security. Thus, you can easily unblock any blocked platform at your place by spoofing your online location to a country where that site is available.

Best VPNs to unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK

Although, there is no shortage of VPN services online that protect your privacy. But finding a solid VPN that can bypass the content filtering technology of the BBC iPlayer can be challenging.