Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer 2018

BBC iPlayer is the biggest streaming service in the UK and is free for those inside the UK with a TV license. But this service is currently blocked when you’re abroad. That means if you’re on holiday outside the UK, you’ll run into trouble accessing this BBC’s online streaming service. So how do you get BBC iPlayer on your iPhone, iPad or Mac when you’re outside of the UK? You’ll need a subscription to a VPN. A VPN masks your IP address so that you will appear to be connected from the UK even if you are in China, Canada, Australia or the United States. It also allows you to bypass the firewall and access any website you want, from anywhere. If you are looking for the best VPN for BBC iPlayer 2018, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you can find out the best 5 VPN services that allows you to watch videos on BBC iPlayer in safety.

About BBC iPlayer:

BBC iPlayer is one of the most famous broadcasters in the world and its programming is respected and enjoyed in every corner of the globe. As a popular streaming service, it lets viewers watch some of the best free and legal content on the web, ranging from TV shows and movies to live sports. To give you the best streaming experience, the service is available on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, personal computers, and smart televisions. With BBC iPlayer, you can browse programmes by Schedule, Featured and Most Popular and then download to watch on the move. BBC iPlayer services delivered to UK based viewers feature no commercial advertising. It is UK’s premier streaming service.

However, BBC iPlayer is only available in United Kingdom, therefore accessing BBC iPlayer when you are outside the UK is in theory impossible. When you try to watch BBC iPlayer from China, United States, Canada, Australia or anywhere else you will find it unavailable for sure. Every time you try to access BBC iPlayer outside the UK, you will see this message “BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only.” That is because this popular UK streaming channel is geo-blocked overseas. So how to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK? Experienced travelers or BBC iPlayer subscribers may already have known that the best way to gain access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK is through the use of a Virtual Private Network – a VPN. Once setup correctly, you can watch all your favorite British TV programmes including Top Gear, Eastender, The Dragon’ Den, Doctor Who, The Voice UK, Match of the Day (MOTD), MasterChef, Life in Squares, and Partners in Crime in a minute, no matter where you are. Also a VPN helps evade ISP bandwidth throttling and avoid buffering so you will get the best streaming experience while keeping your data protected. Let’s dive deep into VPNs and find out the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.

What’s a VPN Exactly?

VPN is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes that data through a remote server where that traffic is not blocked. It allows you to connect to different servers located in a large number of locations across the world, then creates a “tunnel” over your internet network to let you access any websites.

You could, therefore, browse from United States, connect to a UK server, and while hiding your IP address, successfully gain access to the streaming service you want. This is known as ‘geo-spoofing’ your location. A VPN is a traveler’s best friend when it comes to traveling and streaming abroad. It is also a very handy trick to bypass the copyright laws of the country you are visiting.

VPN technology employs sophisticated encryption to ensure security and prevent any unintentional interception of data between private sites. a VPN is primarily used for these purposes:

• Protection against cyber criminals when using low-security networks, such as a public WiFi hotspot.
• Enhanced privacy achieved by hiding user’s online activities from their Internet Service Provider (ISP). This way, the ISP cannot pass user’s private information to third parties, such as advertisers or government.
• Secure and uninterrupted streaming experience with no bandwidth throttling or buffering.
• Bypassing Internet censorship set up by a school, workplace or ISPs.
• Using P2P sharing services safely.

Why Use a VPN?

• Get Past Geo-blocking

Geo-blocking is, in a technical sense, a way that service providers, businesses and digital platforms restrict access to their services or products to users within a country or certain geographical area. While watching any type of sporting event, geo-blocking can be a painful thing. Depending on your location, these blocks can prevent you from accessing certain websites or videos due to licensing restrictions or even government censorship. By using a VPN, you can change your virtual location to “trick” the system into thinking you are viewing from a region in which the content is allowed. Simply log into your VPN account, and connect to a server in a region where the game you’re trying to view is viewable.

• Bypass Bandwidth Throttling

Censorship isn’t the only thing getting in the way of watching BBC iPlayer abroad—your ISP can also throttle your connection. Bandwidth throttling occurs when someone intentionally slows down your internet speed. Your ISP might throttle bandwidth to certain websites, apps, or services in order to discourage their use and encourage the adoption of alternative services that benefit the ISP and its affiliates. By using a VPN, your connection will be impenetrable by third parties such as your ISP, making it fortified against any pesky throttling. You will get no buffering, no bandwidth throttling while watching programs on BBC.

• Encrypt Your Connection

Without a VPN, your connection is vulnerable to many forms of cybercrime, such as identity theft. And your streaming account details such as your email address or credit card number could be leaked out without your awareness, especially when you are streaming on a public Wi-Fi network. A VPN not only changes your IP address but also encrypts your data and secures your connection online, protecting you from hackers. It offers the tightest security in the industry so you don’t have to worry about being logged, spied or hacked while you are watching live through BBC iPlayer.

How A VPN Works to Unblock BBC iPlayer Abroad?

The BBC – like almost every other content provider – blocks overseas access to its services because of licensing restrictions. Programs made for BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC News, and BBC Parliament – are not licensed for markets outside the UK. For this reason, the BBC checks your IP address (location) and blocks the service if you aren’t in the UK. A VPN can help watch BBC iPlayer abroad. But do you know how does it work?

Every time you connect to the Internet, all your Internet traffic will first pass through your ISPs, that means they can see everything you do online and they can track your behavior and even sell your personal details to advertisers and other third parties. However, if you connect to a VPN, it will create a virtual encrypted tunnel between you and the remote server. All of the data you sent and received will be encrypted. A VPN provides you with an anonymous web browsing experience and ensures that none of your confidential information is being logged, monitored or exposed and intercepted by third parties. A VPN also allows you to get a new IP address. You will appear to be in the location of the server you connect to. If you are in United States and you connect to a server in the UK, then you will get a UK IP address which allows you to unblock BBC iPlayer and bypass geo-restrictions. There is no difference between being in the UK and using a VPN to pretend to be in the UK. In the same way, you are also able to access restricted services like WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail and Youtube when you are in China only if you connect to a Chinese IP address. With the VPN technology, everything you do while connected to the VPN is fully protected and you will experience true online freedom with no censorship in just a few clicks.

5 Best VPNs For BBC iPlayer 2018

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN service for unblocking BBC iPlayer abroad. It features more than 2000 servers spread across more than 94 countries and delivers a seamless streaming experience. It is probably the most reliable when it comes to speed, consistently scoring among the fastest. Express VPN offers easy-to-use Apps for every device. Users can download it on Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux or even a router. It also offers VPN extensions for your favorite browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari, securing your connection instantly with just a few clicks. ExpressVPN features with all the top-end functionality you require: a kill switch, Domain Name System (DNS) leak protection, split tunneling, stealth mode (to bypass firewalls), and auto connect. Customer support is fantastic and is available 24/7 via live chat support. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to keep your data away from the prying eyes of ISPs, cyber criminals, and government surveillance. ExpressVPN is a good choice for you to watch TV shows on BBC iPlayer with privacy and security at incredible speeds and in HD quality.

Get ExpressVPN Coupon Code 2018: Save 49% +Extra 3 Months Free to start saving when you sign up for a year of unlimited VPN access. Starting with just $6.67 a month, you will be able to enjoy unlimited VPN access and have your stream running faster. All new members are covered by the ExpressVPN 30-day money back guarantee.

Get 49% OFF & Extra 3 Months Free

NordVPN is one of the best VPN that allows you to unblock BBC iPlayer securely and with no restrictions. Based in Panama, where currently has no data retention or reporting laws, NordVPN is a totally no-logs provider. NordVPN keeps neither usage nor session logs. With 4400+ servers in 62 countries, fast speeds, multiple platform options, and new features like CyberSec feature, Double Data Encryption and Onion Over VPN, NordVPN is the best solution for torrenting, P2P file sharing and it is commonly used to bypass geographical restrictions of various media streaming websites. NordVPN offers user-friendly applications for all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also can be configured on different routers and handheld devices. With one single account, you can have up to 6 simultaneous connections on all of your devices at the same time.

NordVPN is a pioneer in the personal VPN space and here you can get 3 years subscriptions for just $2.75 per month. ($99/year in a total, Save 77%) New users are covered by a 30 day money back guarantee. Enjoy every second of the 2018 World Cup at NordVPN!

Get NordVPN 77% OFF

ZenMate is one of the largest and fastest growing VPN providers with over 40 million users worldwide. The German-based VPN offers turbo speed to let you stream, play game, or download files without limits. ZenMate fully secures and encrypts all traffic on your browser (available for Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera), desktop computer (available for Windows and Mac OS X), and mobile devices (available for Android and iOS). Using ZenMate VPN, you can hide your streaming activities from your ISP, advertisers and malicious parties, therefore you do not have to worry about your real location and browsing habits being leaked out. While you are using ZenMate to watch BBC iPlayer, you can always ensure to have an encrypted, stable connection to the internet. The VPN gives you a consistent streaming experience so you never miss a single shot. ZenMate VPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with their service, ask for a refund in 30 days. Try for no risk.

With fast connection to different locations with the power of German engineering and full device security as well as extra Malware Protection, Ad Blocker, and Tracking Protection, ZenMate VPN is your best choice to keep you safe while watching BBC iPlayer. ZenMate VPN is now offering an exclusive deal. Get 40% off ZenMate 1 Year Deal Now!

Save 40% on ZenMate VPN

StrongVPN is a US-based VPN service provider that has around 600 servers in 25 countries across the globe including Singapore, Israel, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, and – of course – the United States. Use StrongVPN to watch all your favorite teams play, no matter where you’re viewing from. Connect to any of the 650+ global servers to change your online location and enjoy access to websites, videos, and sporting events from outside your region. The service provides people with a private and safe internet experience with no strings attached. No logs, no false advertising, and no hidden fees — just VPN security made honest and simple. The VPN offers high-grade encryption providing end-to-end security for people, so you’ll have complete peace of mind while you are watching on-demand content on BBC iPlayer.

If you haven’t gotten started with a StrongVPN account already, it is the best time to sign up now. You will enjoy 20% off StrongVPN just in time to watch shows on BBC iPlayer!

Get StrongVPN 20% Off

IPVanish is also the best VPN for BBC iPlayer. IPVanish claims to be the only true Top Tier VPN service provider. They own and operate the fastest VPN service in the world, with 1,000+ servers in over 85 cities and 60+ countries. IPVanish shields your devices from hackers and cybercriminals, circumvents online censorship and web restrictions and lets you connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots safely and privately. While you are watching TV shows connected to this VPN, it alters your visible online location and helps you evade ISP bandwidth throttling. No lags, No video buffering. IPVanish has great customer service and reliable speeds, as well as a policy that allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. If you’re looking for a VPN to use in order to watch sports, this is the one.

IPVanish is offering an additional 25% off any plans. This means that a new user can subscribe to IPVanish VPN for as little as $ 4.87 per month (a 60% reduction compared to the standard price).

Best VPNs in 2018 Comparison

Tips: By using a premium VPN service provider, you will be able to watch the biggest sports event of the year regardless of where you’re spending your summer holidays. The Top Recommendation for unblocking BBC iPlayer abroad is ExpressVPN – the No.1 Trusted and ultra-fast VPN with 2000+ servers scattered in 148+ countries! No matter which BBC channel or show you want to stream online, ExpressVPN does a pretty decent job for you.

Submitted by 2-VPNChina Editor July 20, 2018