There are many classic British television shows available for streaming on the Internet. Perhaps even better, there are recent shows available as well. Some of the best shows in recent years (that are still showing now) include The Return Of Sherlock Holmes and The Archers – but there are many more. Not only are these shows available online, but you can get them on a variety of devices, including your iPhone, Android, Blu Ray, Apple TV, PS3 and of course your standard laptop/desktop setup. All of this is available through the BBC iPlayer. But can you watch BBC iPlayer abroad?
Yes and No. There is to some extent, access to the BBC iPlayer outside of The UK. Recently, they launched a European version, and have plans to move to The US, Canada, and Australia soon. Though this is a bigger step that say, Hulu has made, who has yet to expand beyond The US, but at the same time has disappointed a very expectant user-base abroad. Much like when Netflix finally opened up a site for Canadians, there is less content in the European version of BBC iPlayer. Even worse, its only available in the form of an iPad app.
There are other ways around the block as well – and access to the full version of The BBC iPlayer. Virtual private networks are well known for being able to change the IP address of your phone or computer, and hide your real location online. With this kind of device, it’s possible to get a British IP address and watch UK TV overseas, as if you were actually there. The website won’t see a difference – and seeing as the Wallstreet Journal wrote an article about this, I’m pretty sure that it’s not a big secret that people are able to gain access to the site in this way.
For a virtual private network to watch BBC iPlayer abroad, it will probably cost you about $10 USD (£6 GBP) or $80 USD for a year (£50 GBP), but prices will vary based on service. There are also varying subscription lengths, ranging from a few days to one or two years. This way, you can get yourself hooked up with your favorite shows while you spend a weekend in France, or if you’re abroad for a year for work or school, you can get yourself set up that way too.
Installation is a no-brainer, and this is not a kind of software that you have to be tech-savvy to use. Though it sounds pretty brainy and cool to “pretend” you’re in another country, and behind the curtain there’s a lot going on, on the user end, it’s very “ABC-123”. Also, you should know that this is a perfectly legit service, and changing your IP is in no way illegal or considered “hacking”.
