How to Watch BBC iPlayer in the USA With a VPN in 2024: Unblock BBC iPlayer From Anywhere
Since there’s nothing like “BBC iPlayer USA,” you’ll need to use a VPN to access the U.K.-only platform. If you haven’t used BBC iPlayer before, we’ll help you set up an account, select a VPN, and use the VPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in this guide.
Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Editor)
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)
Last Updated: 2024-02-20T10:30:30+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Want to watch British TV shows like Peaky Blinders or Luther? The best of them are available on BBC iPlayer. Unfortunately, there’s no BBC iPlayer USA. The streaming service is only accessible from the U.K. If you want to access BBC iPlayer in the USA, the easiest way is using a VPN (virtual private network).
Key Takeaways:
- BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform where you can watch British TV shows.
- Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is only available in the U.K.
- You can access BBC iPlayer in the USA using a VPN — we recommend ExpressVPN.
- If you’re looking for something low cost and almost as good as ExpressVPN, consider NordVPN.
You can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN, but you shouldn’t just pick a service at random and try unblocking BBC iPlayer. The reason is that many VPNs might not be able to unblock BBC iPlayer, and some that do will offer a subpar streaming experience. In this guide, we explain why you need a VPN, how to use it and how to select one that works well.
BBC iPlayer USA: Why Do I Need a VPN for BBC iPlayer?
You need a virtual private network to access BBC iPlayer USA because the platform uses geoblocks to restrict access only to those who are physically located in the U.K. When you access content on BBC iPlayer in the USA, you’ll see this message:
When you connect to a U.K. server, you’ll be assigned a U.K.-based IP address. Accessing BBC iPlayer with a U.K. IP address allows you to stream content on the platform because it will see you as someone who is physically located in the U.K. If you’re curious, we have a guide on how VPNs work. Along with a VPN, you’ll also need to create a BBC iPlayer account.
How to Create a BBC iPlayer Account
You can register on BBC iPlayer in two easy steps, as illustrated below.
- Go to the Registration Page and Enter Your Details
Start by going to the registration page and entering your details. You’ll need to input details like your age, date of birth, email, gender and country. Select the U.K. as your country and enter any U.K. postcode — the platform won’t require verification. Then, choose a new password and click the “register” button.
- Complete Verification
You’ll receive a verification code via email. You’ll need to click on the “verify your email address” button in the email to complete verification.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer With a VPN From Anywhere
Once you’ve created an account on BBC iPlayer, you’re ready to start streaming. British law does require viewers to have a U.K. TV license, but BBC iPlayer doesn’t proactively verify if you have one.
As long as you have a VPN, you should be able to stream what you want from BBC iPlayer in the USA. When asked if you have a license, select “I have a TV license. Watch now,” and you’re good to go.
- Download and Install a VPN
Start by signing up with a VPN provider — we recommend ExpressVPN. Then, download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a U.K. Server
Once you’ve downloaded and installed a VPN, launch it and connect to a U.K. server.
- Access Content on BBC iPlayer in the USA
Now, try accessing content on BBC iPlayer in the USA. You can use the BBC iPlayer website or the BBC iPlayer app to watch your favorite British TV shows.
Can I Use the BBC iPlayer App on My Mobile or Smart TV?
Yes, watching BBC iPlayer on a mobile phone (both Android and iOS) or smart TV is possible via the BBC iPlayer app. If your smart TV’s OS doesn’t have a BBC TV app but has a browser app, you can access BBC iPlayer on a browser instead.
In either case, you’ll still need to use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer content. Most VPNs have an app for mobile devices, but if your smart TV doesn’t support the VPN app, you can always install the VPN on your router.
we recommend using ExpressVPN because it’s the best VPN for BBC iPlayer. It’s also the best VPN for smart TVs and mobile devices.
The 3 Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer proactively blocks VPN users. A lot of VPNs can assign you a British IP address, but few can get past BBC iPlayer’s geoblocks. Below, we discuss three of the best BBC iPlayer VPNs that not only bypass the platform’s geoblocks, but also offer top-notch streaming performance.
1. ExpressVPN
More information about Provider:
- Pricing: $6.66 per month, plus three free months
- Website: expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Lightning-fast speeds
- Multiple servers in the U.K.
- Excellent security
Cons:
- Expensive
ExpressVPN easily unblocks BBC iPlayer. It offers an excellent combination of lightning-fast connection speeds and unparalleled ability to get past BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions, which means you’ll never have to wait while the video loads on the screen. The VPN service has British servers across several locations in the U.K. so you can always try a different VPN server to stream BBC iPlayer content.
In addition to helping you watch some good old British TV, ExpressVPN also offers excellent security and other features. We talk more about them in our ExpressVPN review if you’re curious. Given the premium feature set, ExpressVPN commands a higher price tag. If you don’t mind spending a little extra, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to try it out before committing.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
More information about Provider:
- Pricing: $3.48 per month
- Website: nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Fast
- Large U.K. server network
- Double VPN
Cons:
- Lacks phone support
NordVPN is another excellent VPN when you want to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA. It’s almost as fast as ExpressVPN in the U.S. and even faster than ExpressVPN in some regions. The VPN service has more than 440 servers in the U.K., which means you’ll always have additional servers to try if one of them is overloaded.
The double VPN feature also adds another layer of security and minimizes the possibility of BBC iPlayer detecting VPN usage. Alternatively, NordVPN also offers dedicated IPs. You can use a dedicated British IP address to access BBC iPlayer too. Learn more about what NordVPN offers in our NordVPN review.
NordVPN is a great value for the money, especially given its features and performance. However, you can still take it for a spin with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Windscribe
More information about Provider:
- Pricing: Free; $2 per month with build-a-plan option
- Website: windscribe.com
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Streaming-optimized servers
- Fast
Cons:
- 3-day money-back guarantee
If you want to stream BBC iPlayer free, Windscribe is one of the best free VPN services. Free VPNs are typically insecure, unreliable and slow, but not Windscribe. On the contrary, Windscribe offers fast connection speeds and reliably bypasses geo-restrictions.
You get 10GB of data on the free plan, which renews every month, and access to two U.K. server locations. Plus, Windscribe’s servers are optimized for streaming and can also access other popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You can learn more about this excellent free VPN service in our Windscribe review.
Windscribe has a generous free plan, but if you decide to add more server locations, you can use the build-a-plan option. The option allows adding server locations for $1 each and a minimum checkout value of $2. If you need more server locations, you can opt for one of its paid plans as well.
Windscribe only offers a three-day money-back guarantee, but that’s understandable given the generous free plan.
- Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
- 15GB
- Unlimited
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
How Can I Watch BBC iPlayer USA Free?
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service, but to access it from the USA, you’ll need a VPN. The best VPN services aren’t free, but you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee to stream content free for 30 days. If you decide to discontinue using the VPN service, you can always get a full refund.
Can I Use a Free VPN for BBC iPlayer US?
Yes, you can use a free VPN for BBC iPlayer U.S., but there’s a catch. Free VPNs are usually unreliable, slow and insecure. They often fail to bypass geo-restrictions, lack a good server network and offer a poor streaming experience. There are a few exceptions like Windscribe that are excellent, but free plans typically come with a few limitations like a data cap.
What Channels & Shows Can I Watch on BBC iPlayer?
You can watch some of the most popular U.K. TV channels on BBC iPlayer. The list of BBC iPlayer channels includes:
- BBC One (livestream)
- BBC Two
- BBC Three
- BBC Four
- CBBC
- BBC News
- Cbeebies
- BBC Scotland
- BBC Parliament
- S4C
- BBC Alba
- Radio
You can watch British TV shows on BBC iPlayer without a TV license. The most popular shows available on BBC channels include:
- Peaky Blinders
- Top Gear
- Bodyguard
- Line of Duty
- Fleabag
- Panorama
- Killing Eve
- Breakfast
- Baptiste
- The Last Mountain
- EastEnders
- Doctor Who
- Luther
- The Salisbury Poisonings
- The Drop
Can I Watch BBC iPlayer Offline?
You can only watch BBC iPlayer content offline if you’ve downloaded it. Otherwise, you’ll need an active internet connection for streaming TV shows on BBC iPlayer.
The BBC iPlayer app for mobile and tablet devices has a built-in download option under each episode. If you want to download BBC iPlayer content on a computer or laptop, you’ll need to download the BBC iPlayer downloads app.
Final Thoughts
BBC iPlayer has an excellent collection of popular British TV shows. It’s a free service, so you can view your favorite shows on demand, as long as you have a reliable VPN. Using a VPN allows you to bypass the platform’s geoblocks. It’s also important to not just choose any VPN.
An ideal VPN service should be able to bypass geoblocks on BBC iPlayer and offer good connection speeds.
Have you used a VPN for streaming TV shows on BBC iPlayer first? If yes, which one, and how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
Yes, you can get BBC iPlayer in the USA using a VPN. Since the platform is geoblocked, you’ll need to use a VPN and get a British IP address to be able to watch BBC iPlayer content from outside the U.K.
You can watch BBC in the USA by connecting to a British VPN server and then accessing the streaming platform. Doing this will make BBC iPlayer think you’re physically located in the U.K., so it will let you access the content.
No, it’s not illegal to watch BBC iPlayer abroad, and neither is using a VPN to access it. That said, BBC iPlayer’s terms of service do prohibit the use of VPN for accessing the platform. That doesn’t make using a VPN illegal and doesn’t entitle BBC to take any action against you. In the worst cases, the platform will suspend your account.