How to watch UK TV abroad: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more

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There's a super simple way of watching UK TV abroad

UK TV streaming service logo compilation: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, Now
(Image credit: Future)

The UK arguably has some of the best streaming content in the world, with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and more all offering content that's free to stream online anytime. However, if you're away on holiday, you might be wondering how to watch UK TV abroad, and we're here to help.

Whether you want to watch the new season of "Race Across the World" on iPlayer, rewatch "Love Island All Stars" on ITVX (no judgement here), or stay up-to-date with "Married at First Sight Australia" on Channel 4, you'll find it tricky due to something called "geo-blocking".

British streaming services only allow those in the UK to watch, so when you're abroad you'll be geo-blocked and won't be able to tune in – even if you pay for the service, in the cases of Now TV, Sky, or BT TV. 

The only way around this is to either hop on the next flight home, or trick the website into thinking that you're in the UK. We reckon the former's overkill, so here we'll be explaining in full how to watch UK TV abroad.

Brides and grooms of Married at First Sight Australia Season 11

(Image credit: 9Now)

How to watch UK TV abroad

If you're in the UK, watching any British TV streaming service is as simple as heading to the website, logging in, and watching. If you've been trying to watch UK TV abroad, though, you'll have found yourself blocked from streaming. 

Don't lose hope, though – there's an incredibly simple way to get around this. 

By using one of the best VPN services, you can virtually relocate yourself by connecting to a UK VPN server, and then you'll be able to stream any UK TV channel to your heart's content.

A VPN works by changing your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, but you don't need to be a tech whiz to use one. Our highest-rated VPNs are incredibly simple to install and use, and once you're signed up you can watch UK TV from Spain, Singapore or San Francisco within minutes. 

Which VPN is best for watching UK TV abroad?

NordVPN is the best option

If you're looking to unblock streaming sites, NordVPN is the best option. In our expert review it managed to unblock every UK streaming service with ease, as well as others like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. It's also super secure, with plenty of extra privacy tools for staying safe online, and it's usually around $3.50 a month.

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How to use a VPN to watch UK TV abroad

Whether you're a cybersecurity expert or a total luddite, using a VPN to watch UK TV abroad is super simple.

First of all, you'll need to sign up to and install your VPN. This should take less than a couple of minutes with a provider like NordVPN. Then, when it's up and running, connect to a UK server. 

Once you're connected to the VPN, open up your browser and head to your chosen website, or open its streaming app if you're on mobile. Login or create an account.

Then all you need to do is pick a show, sit back, and enjoy the best of what UK TV has to offer!

Love Island logo

(Image credit: ITV)

Once you've signed up for a VPN, you'll be able to watch any UK TV channel wherever you are. However, there are a couple of things that might make your life even easier during the process.

First of all, connecting to the VPN before you head to your chosen TV channel's website is important. This makes it much less likely for the streaming site to notice you're using a VPN – and while we've never had any issues when using NordVPN, this has been an issue with other providers in the past.

If you haven't already got a login to the streaming service, you'll need to make one. During the process you'll be asked to provide a UK post code. If you don't fancy using your own, post codes are easily found online – using one of them will be absolutely fine.

In the unlikely event that you do have any issues with accessing shows, we'd recommend closing the browser window or app, clearing your cookies for that site, disconnecting and reconnecting your VPN, and repeating the process. 

Finally, if that doesn't resolve the problem, get in contact with your provider's live chat support. If there's a known problem, they'll usually try their best to solve it for you.

How to watch UK TV abroad on Fire Stick

Thanks to its portability factor, Amazon's Fire TV Stick is the perfect streaming device to travel with – all you need is a power outlet and an HDMI socket. 

One of the Fire Stick's biggest draws for travellers, though, is the fact that it's compatible with VPNs, meaning you can watch UK TV on a big screen anywhere you want – and thankfully the process is super simple. For a full selection of VPNs, check out our guide to the best Fire Stick VPN services.

To get started, just follow the simple steps below:

  • Sign up to a VPN – we recommend NordVPN.
  • Install your VPN's app on your Fire Stick. For all big providers, you'll find this in the Amazon App Store
  • Open the app, and connect to a UK server
  • Open your chosen streaming app, pick something to watch
  • Enjoy!

As any Brit will be well aware of, to watch any of the UK's free-to-air channels live you should have a TV licence. The same rules apply when you're abroad, so if you want to watch any live BBC content, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, or any other Freeview channel, you need a TV licence.

However, while you do need a TV licence to watch anything on BBC iPlayer, you don't need one to watch catch-up content on other channels.

TOPICS
Mo Harber-Lamond
VPN Editor

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-day he oversees guides on the best VPNs, privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the depths of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of finally putting up those shelves.

9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Fox Tread3
    June 28, 2024 - I won't contradict anything that the reporter said in his article. However, I will say that at least one trustworthy Tech channel host has heavily criticized Nord VPN for various reasons. You can do a search for comments about that particular brand of VPN. Regarding VPNs in general, it has been reported that they are being hacked with increasing regularity, causing problems for their customers. Further, in regards to viewing U.K. TV content outside that country. I can testify that the U.K. is very aggressive in identifying VPNs and blocking them. I pay a U.K. based service an annual fee to watch not only U.K. channels but many others. I won't give their name here, but if searched for, the first letter in the service's name is F. Please keep in mind that the service has a number of paid subscription alternatives. My suggestion over all, is to do your own research regarding VPNs. I believe that Tom's in past months has published an article rating a good number of VPNs.
    Reply
  • tudza
    I can certainly reach iPlayer using a VPN.

    What I can't do is buy a valid license so far as I can tell since I live in the USA. A valid license is required to sign into the service from what I can tell by trying it.

    What do I do about that?
    Reply
  • Fox Tread3
    tudza said:
    I can certainly reach iPlayer using a VPN.

    What I can't do is buy a valid license so far as I can tell since I live in the USA. A valid license is required to sign into the service from what I can tell by trying it.

    What do I do about that?
    July 2, 2024 - I'm not sure what service you are referring to when you say "A valid license is required to sign into the service from what I can tell by trying it." All I can tell you is I have used a service based in the U.K. for a number of years, it is legal, and I live in the U.S. I don't think that this newsletter will allow me to give the name of the service, because that would be like advertising. All I can suggest is that you do a granular search for paid subscription Internet TV services based in the U.K. As a clue I can say that the company's name which is another word for movie, starts with the letter F and ends with the domain .tv I hope this helps you, but I found the service via online search and you should be able to find it also. Good luck and stay well. :giggle:
    Reply
  • tudza
    I mentioned the service in the first line. iPlayer. A VPN will get you past the restriction of connecting from outside the UK, but trying to play the programs I'm interested in requires a TV license. The information required to purchase this license assumes you live in the UK.

    I'll first have to figure out what service you are using before I can see if that same restriction applies.

    Most people I know just sign up for Acorn or BritBox which gets them the shows they are after and doesn't require this fine dance.
    Reply
  • tudza
    OK, can't figure out what service you might be using, but it turns out I can lie about having a TV license and the web site plays a show. Not sure I like the idea though.

    Perhaps I will stumble across F*.tv at some point.
    Reply
  • Fox Tread3
    tudza said:
    OK, can't figure out what service you might be using, but it turns out I can lie about having a TV license and the web site plays a show. Not sure I like the idea though.

    Perhaps I will stumble across F*.tv at some point.
    I would be extremely careful using any "shady" and questionable websites or "services". You could already have compromised your computer or device. If you have gone to any of those websites, I would suggest that you immediately do a security scan of your system and/or device. Further, the name of service I am talking about starts with an f followed by five other letters, no capitals + .com. I can only suggest that you do a search for Alki David. On his Wiki bio page under Business. You will see “David’s projects include:” The first business listed is the one you are interested in, but when you do the search for the service there are no capital letters in the name and .com is the domain to be added to the name. I hope this helps, but it would be inconvenient to be band from this forum, if I were to say more. I have no idea why you mentioned certain U.K. streaming services. The company I am talking about is like an internet “Carrier” that offers a number of channels, but not its own content. Once again good luck, and stay well.
    Reply
  • Fox Tread3
    tudza said:
    OK, can't figure out what service you might be using, but it turns out I can lie about having a TV license and the web site plays a show. Not sure I like the idea though.

    Perhaps I will stumble across F*.tv at some point.
    July 2, 2024 - P.S. Please forgive my earlier error of saying the domain for the service in question was .tv It is actually as I just indicated .com. Sorry for the error and I hope this helps. 😊
    Reply
  • tudza
    No worries. VPN is installed on a virtual machine that I always reset to initial conditions ( Snapshot ) after every use. None of the sites I was looking at were shady in any way. All known services.
    Reply
  • Fox Tread3
    tudza said:
    No worries. VPN is installed on a virtual machine that I always reset to initial conditions ( Snapshot ) after every use. None of the sites I was looking at were shady in any way. All known services.
    July 2, 2024 - Well done you!👍👍😉 You must know by now that I'm a huge anglophile. Soooo.. taking the plunge, at the risk of being banded here. The service that you are looking for which has three different subscription plans, is filmon.com. I hope this is helpful to you... Those that dare.. win! Maybe😁
    Reply