It's fair to say UK TV not only offers some of the best - quintessentially British - entertainment, but it also generously gives much of it away for free! Whether it's reality TV hits such as Celebrity Big Brother and The Traitors, award-winning British dramas like Gavin & Stacey or live sport, UK TV has it all.
However, TV licence payers and expats alike will find themselves blocked if they try to access the likes of BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5 when outside of the UK. This is due to content on these on-demand platforms being tightly geo-restricted.
These free streaming platforms – plus premium services like Netflix UK – don't work from overseas. Worry not, though, because the use of one of the best VPNs will ensure you can always watch UK TV from abroad – and we explain how below.
- Use NordVPN to watch UK TV from abroad now (Save 70% off)
Why can't I watch UK TV abroad?
Anyone trying to use any of the UK's on-demand streaming services - whether it's free-to-air channels or satellite packages - will likely run into issues.
That's because UK live and on-demand content is designed to only be accessed when you're physically within the UK. This is due to licensing agreements (i.e. Netflix bought the rights for Peaky Blinders international release outside of Ol' Blighty).
For example, if you try to watch BBC News from abroad, you'll get the message: This content is not available in your location. And if you try to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad, it will say: BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.
Similar error messages will appear across ITVX, Channel4.com, and My5/Channel5.com. You may also run into restrictions when trying to access your usual Netflix and Disney Plus accounts from abroad. Again, it's down to those pesky geo-restrictions.
That's where the likes of a BBC iPlayer VPN come in - and the best one is likely to work across the board with BBC proving the most tricky for VPNs to circumvent in our past testing.
Our top VPN – the excellent NordVPN – unlocks all of these streamers and more, so you watch UK TV from abroad without any hassle.
How can I watch UK TV from abroad?
Short answer: invest in a trusted VPN. That way, you won't Premier League live streams, weekly soaps, epic dramas such as Wolf Hall, or the latest instalment of Married at First Sight UK.
While the inner workings of a VPN may sound complex, in laymen's terms a VPN is able to alter your IP address (the very thing that identifies where you're browsing from), encrypt your data, and make it appear as though you're somewhere else.
In the case of watching UK TV abroad, this means (virtually) transporting your device away from a sun-lounger in Spain, or your hotel in the States, and landing you slap-bang in the middle of the UK.
The software is a doddle to use: simply sign up, install the VPN app on your device and select a UK location (all good VPNs offer a choice of servers UK locations, so you're well covered).
Which is the best VPN for watching UK TV abroad?
Step-by-step guide on using a VPN to watch UK TV abroad
Using a VPN to watch UK TV abroad is super simple...
- Sign up and install a VPN on your device (NordVPN is our top pick)
- Connect to one of its UK servers
- Head to the website or app of the UK streaming service you wish to use
- Hit play and enjoy!
When it comes to the order in which you do this, it's a good idea to connect to the UK VPN server first before heading to the website or app of the streaming service you wish to watch. This covers all bases in case the platform otherwise detects use of a VPN and continues to shut you out.
Top tip: if you use the Google Chrome browser, open the streaming service in an Incognito window - this may help the VPN work its magic.
It's also worth noting that, while many of the UK's streaming platforms are free to watch, you'll likely need to make an account first before you can stream. But don't worry, you won't be asked for any card details. Usually all that's needed is an email address and UK postcode (e.g. W1A 1AA).
What sport can I watch on UK TV from abroad?
Even Brits would struggle to watch all high-quality sport available on UK TV. It's endless – and many UK channels offer free live streams of premium sporting events such as Wimbledon (BBC iPlayer), the Tour de France (ITV) and the Six Nations (BBC). You can even watch free F1 highlights of every race on Channel 4.
What dramas can I watch on UK TV from abroad?
British TV dramas are the envy of the world right now. There's the award-winning Mr Bates vs The Post Office, the binge-worthy Peaky Blinders (you have to pay to watch it elsewhere on Netflix) and the stunning adaptation of JK Rowling's Strike: The Ink Black.
Love crime? From classics such as Sherlock to cosy crime hit Beyond Paradise you won't be short of options. You can even watch every episode of Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer.
So, whether you're missing home or want to tune into UK TV, news and sport from anywhere, a VPN will ensure that you get your Brit-fix.
