As the globe widens, more Brits are going overseas, but there is one minor snag you may encounter when in sunny climes — no access to UK TV!
Whether you want to watch a brand new gritty drama like The Responder or catch the new RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on BBC iPlayer, binge last year’s Love Island on ITV Player (no judgement here), or keep up with Celebrity Hunted on All 4, it’ll be difficult owing to a phenomenon known as ‘geo-blocking.’
British streaming providers only allow individuals in the UK to view, so if you’re outside the country, you’ll be geo-blocked and unable to tune in – even if you pay for the service, as in the case of Now TV, Sky, or BT TV.
The only way to get around this is to either take the next trip home or deceive the website into thinking you’re in the UK. We believe the former is excessive, therefore we’ll explain how to watch UK TV from overseas in detail below. ALSO How to watch Pam and Tommy online From anywhere
How to watch UK TV abroad
If you live in the United Kingdom, you may watch any British TV streaming service by going to the website, signing in, and viewing. However, if you’ve tried to watch UK TV from overseas, you’ll have been prohibited from streaming.
But don’t give up hope — there is an amazingly simple technique to get around this.
You may essentially move yourself by connecting to a UK VPN server using one of the finest VPN services, and then you can stream any UK TV channel to your heart’s delight.
A VPN works by changing your IP address and encrypting your internet data, but you don’t have to be a computer genius to use one. Our top-rated VPNs are really easy to set up and use, and once you’re signed up, you’ll be able to watch UK TV from Spain, Singapore, or San Francisco in minutes.
Which VPN is best for watching UK TV abroad?
How to use a VPN to watch UK TV abroad
Whether you’re a cybersecurity specialist or a complete moron, using a VPN to watch UK TV overseas is a breeze.
First and foremost, you must sign up for and install your VPN. With a service like ExpressVPN, this should just take a few minutes. Connect to a UK server once it’s up and running.
Once you’ve connected to the VPN, launch your browser and navigate to your desired website, or use its streaming app if you’re using a mobile device. Sign in or create a new account.
Then all you have to do is choose a programme, sit back, and enjoy the finest of UK TV!
Do I need a TV licence to watch UK TV abroad?
After you’ve signed up for a VPN, you’ll be able to view any UK TV station from anywhere in the world. However, there are a few things you can do to make the process go more smoothly.
To begin, it is necessary to connect to the VPN before visiting the website of your preferred TV station. This makes it far less likely that the streaming site would realise you’re using a VPN – and while we’ve never had any difficulties with ExpressVPN, this has been an issue in the past with other providers.
You’ll need to create a login for the streaming service if you don’t already have one. During the procedure, you will be required to enter your UK postcode. If you don’t want to use your own, post codes may be easily discovered online — using one of them would suffice.
We recommend closing the browser window or app, erasing your cookies for that site, disconnecting and restarting your VPN, and repeating the procedure if you are having trouble viewing shows.
Finally, if this does not address the issue, contact your provider’s live chat assistance. If an issue is known, they will typically do their utmost to solve it for you.
How to watch UK TV abroad on Fire Stick
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is the ideal streaming gadget for travelling due to its mobility — all you need is a power outlet and an HDMI connector.
One of the Fire Stick’s most appealing features for travellers is that it is VPN-compatible, allowing you to stream UK TV on a big screen from anywhere.
Fortunately, the procedure is as simple as utilising your PC or mobile device. All you have to do is sign up for a VPN and then install it from the Amazon app store on your Fire Stick.
Then, just connect to a UK server, use your preferred streaming app, and begin viewing. That’s all there is to it – for more alternatives, see our entire guide to Fire Stick VPN services.
To view any of the UK’s free-to-air networks live, you must obtain a TV licence, as every British citizen is well aware. The same regulations apply while you’re overseas, so you’ll need a TV licence if you want to watch any live BBC material, ITV, Station 4, Channel 5, or any other Freeview channel.
While a TV licence is required to watch anything on BBC iPlayer, it is not required to access catch-up programmes on other networks.
What is the best VPN for watching UK TV abroad?
