How to Watch UK TV from Abroad with the Best VPN in 2021

You’ll find that some of the best entertainment channels or shows are broadcast in the UK, and if you need to know how to watch UK TV from abroad, a VPN is the only way.

The moment you step outside the United Kingdom, you are not going to be able to stream or watch any of those shows that you’ve been eagerly awaiting. Most UK TV content isn’t aired worldwide due to license agreements, copyright laws, and geo-restrictions.

Even if you have a UK TV subscription, you still won’t have access to it. But, how’s that fair for UK ex-pats or those traveling outside the country for vacation, business, or permanently?

However…

The good news is, you don’t have to miss out on all your favorite shows. You can easily access them with the best VPNs for UK TV. Take BBC iPlayer, for starters. The service is only available within the UK and a few territories, and you’ll only be able to access BBC iPlayer with a VPN that works for it.

Similarly, when you connect to a VPN, you’ll be able to catch up with all the latest UK TV channels and shows from anywhere in the world.

However, there’s something you need to know: Not all VPNs work with UK TV, some aren’t reliable, a few offer low speeds and buffering issues, etc. So, you’ll need to be extra careful while choosing one.

If you look at the tutorial below, you’ll learn how to watch UK TV using the best VPNs for it.

How to watch UK TV from abroad (quick tutorial)

If you follow this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to watch UK TV in no time! Keep in mind to choose a VPN with numerous UK servers, fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and top-grade security features, with consideration to the top VPN list above. Here’s how you get started:

• Subscribe to the best VPNs for UK TV, and create your account.
• Next, download and install the VPN app on a supported device.
• Launch the VPN app, and sign in to your account.
• Connect to the best UK server.
• Open any UK TV service, channel, or show that you like!
• That’s all!

Make sure to clear your cookies and cache, just in case it doesn’t work at first. There are times when you leave around little footprints like GPS, date, or time that might hamper the VPN from working successfully. Once that’s out of the way, refresh your page and start over.

The best VPNs for UK TV in 2021

If you see metaphorical signs like “we’re sorry this service only works in the UK” or “Please disconnect to your proxy or VPN to access this service” when trying to access UK TV services, then you need a VPN.

However, the reason we see warning signs to disconnect the VPN, even though we’re using one, is largely because the software you’re using isn’t good enough.

This is why I tested and rounded up only 5 of the best VPNs that work with UK TV platforms. These providers were also tested with BBC iPlayer and Netflix UK, and they work great with them! They were also chosen based on great features, speeds and more. Take a look at the details below:

1. Surfshark – Top choice for UK TV

• 1700+ servers in 64 countries, including coverage in the UK
• Optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Good speeds
• Unlimited device connections
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• NoBorders and Camouflage Mode, GPS Spoofing, Smart DNS
• Works with Netflix UK, ITV, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, All4, Eurosport Player, Sky go

Surfshark VPN has never failed to perform exceptionally well in the past and worked equally well for streaming UK TV from anywhere in the world.

This service offers a smaller network coverage compared to other providers on my list, but that didn’t stop it from helping me access numerous streaming services and UK TV channels. I was able to unblock Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, and UKTV Play within minutes without any restrictions. It was almost as if I were in the UK itself.

The speeds weren’t as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, but that a lot to do with my local internet speeds. Without a connection to the VPN, my speeds were 37.44 Mbps. And, with connection to the UK server, I got a 24.40 Mbps, which isn’t that bad. A VPN is only supposed to create stable speeds that your ISP usually throttles.

The speeds are good enough for you to stream content on ITV Hub or series on BBC iPlayer. You won’t experience any buffering issues, which is the main concern other than access. You’ll be able to stream on multiple devices at the same time since Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections. This won’t hamper your speeds even if you’re connected to the same UK server.

Additionally, you’ll be able to access UK TV platforms or channels without any restrictions, mostly because of the Surfshark security and unblocking features.

For instance, to protect you from getting detected, Surfshark runs on 256-bit AES encryption. Then there’s also the NoBorders feature that will allow you to watch UK TV from high surveillance countries.

Do you have a streaming device that doesn’t support VPN apps? That’s alright because, with Surfshark’s Smart DNS options, you’ll be able to connect to it through router support. However, you’ll only be able to add this technology to one IP address at a time – in this case, a UK IP.

Need to try the VPN? Surfshark offers a 7 day free trial and a 30-day money back guarantee. There are many more features that make Surfshark one of the best VPNs for UK TV.

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2. NordVPN – Unblocks UK TV services with the best security

• 5500+ servers in 59 countries, with over 440+ servers in the UK
• Optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Extremely fast speeds
• Multi-connections up to 6 devices
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• SmartPlay, Obfuscated servers, CyberSec feature, Leak protection
• Works with Netflix UK, ITV, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, All4, Eurosport Player, Sky go

NordVPN too is a popular choice among users, and for good reason! It works exceptionally well to watch UK TV content from abroad.

What’s great about NordVPN, is that you won’t experience server congestion especially with the massive network coverage it offers. Within its list of 5000+ servers, it has over 500 in the UK. When I tested the VPN, I unblocked All4, BritBox, UKTV Hub and more

If you want fast speeds, bypassing your ISP throttling, then you’ll be happy with NordVPN. My local connection speeds without the VPN was 105.05 Mbps. When I connected to the UK server, I got a 99.93 Mbps. How impressive is that!

With speed results like this and unlimited bandwidth, you’ll be able to stream or watch UK TV without worrying about buffering. Let’s just say you can enjoy hours and hours of streaming the Classic EastEnders on UKTV Play.

The best part about NordVPN numerous UK servers to connect to, means you won’t experience overcrowding. Plus you can watch unlimited hours of UK TV content on multiple devices at the same time since NordVPN allows up to 6 multi-device connections.

Now, coming to one of NordVPN’s main attractions, its security and unblocking features. NordVPN is known for its strong security backing.

With that said, it offers a unique SmartPlay DNS feature. With this, you’ll be able to unblock UK TV within those countries that are barred with major online censorships and surveillance laws.

NordVPN also offers Double VPN protection and a CyberSec feature to block malicious ads if you require extra online security. Plus, you could always test NordVPN during its free trial and 30-day refund period. Then you’ll be able to see why NordVPN is considered a great choice among users.

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3. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN speeds for UK TV

• 3000+ servers in 94 countries, including servers in 4 UK locations
• Optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Fastest streaming speeds
• Simultaneous connections up to 5 devices
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• MediaStreamer feature, Split-tunneling, Perfect Forward Secrecy
• Works with Netflix UK, ITV, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, All4, Eurosport Player, Sky go

If your main concern is fast streaming speeds and access to numerous UK TV content from anywhere in the world, then ExpressVPN will fit right down your alley. ExpressVPN is a strong VPN that bypassed most geo-blocked services when I tested it.

ExpressVPN, as mentioned above, offers a good network coverage of 3000+ servers in 94 countries, with many servers in 4 UK locations (Docklands, East London, London, and Wembley). You can connect to any of them to watch UK TV, regardless of where you’re located. When I tested the VPN, I unblocked UKTV Hub, BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, All4, BritBox, and more

You won’t experience any speed or bandwidth throttling, especially considering how the ExpressVPN UK servers performed during my tests. I got an 83.73 Mbps on download speeds over a 106.82 Mbps local internet connection. With those results, you can watch EastEnders, Last of the Summer Wine, and a lot more on HD with UK TV Play.

If ExpressVPN can balance out speeds like these on a normal speed internet, can you imagine the rate on a faster one? This is only one reason why ExpressVPN is considered one of the best to watch UK TV.

You and the whole family will be able to stream UK TV content from anywhere in the world, even if you’ll are living across the borders from each other. This is because ExpressVPN allows up to 5 multi-device connections over one subscription.

Apart from fast speeds and device compatibility, ExpressVPN is also great in the security department. For instance, a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer allows you to stream on devices that don’t support VPN apps.

You’ll be able to add the connection to the device with the help of a router. For example, LG Smart TVs don’t support VPN apps, and the MediaStreamer ExpressVPN feature can help with that. Other than that, the ExpressVPN apps come with a Kill Switch, leak protection and Split-Tunneling.

This VPN comes with a strict no-logs policy and is located in a safe region, called the British Virgin Islands. These factors play an important role in securing your online anonymity while streaming UK TV. All-in-all, I got extremely satisfactory results while testing and reviewing the ExpressVPN app.

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4. CyberGhost – Servers optimized for streaming on UK TV

• 6000+ servers in 59 countries, including 691 servers in 3 UK locations
• Optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Good speeds for 4K streams
• Simultaneous connections up to 7 devices
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• DNS / IP leak protection, Kill Switch, Military-grade encryption
• Works with Netflix UK, ITV, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, All4, Eurosport Player, Sky go

CyberGhost is one of the best and most user-friendly VPNs for streaming, and makes an especially great client to watch UK TV abroad. The speeds and security might not be as great as Surfshark or NordVPN, but I assure you, this provider doesn’t fall short either.

Firstly, CyberGhost offers a large network of 6000+ servers in 59 countries, with 691 servers in the UK alone. This means users won’t have to worry about server congestion when trying to watch UK TV, nor have to experience slow speeds. With any CyberGhost UK server, we managed to unblock UKTV Hub, BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, All4, BritBox, and more.

Okay, now coming to the speed tests. Remember I mentioned that a VPN’s speed has a lot to do with the internet connection you pay for? I ran CyberGhost speed tests with a poor internet connection to see how drastically the speeds dropped after connecting to the VPN.  So, on a connection of 13.45 Mbps, I got an 11.73 Mbps after connecting to the VPN’s UK server. That’s pretty impressive, considering my speeds were slow, to begin with. The results only dropped 2% lower than expected.

If the speeds only dropped a little with a slower internet, imagine the speeds on a faster one? You’ll be able to bypass ISP speed throttling and enjoy uninterrupted access to UK TV Play, BBC iPlayer or All 4.

What’s more, is that even if you’re traveling abroad, you and your family back home will be able to stream UK TV on the same VPN account simultaneously. This is because CyberGhost allows you to connect up to 7 devices.

Other than that, to make your experience on UK TV a whole lot safer, CyberGhost is known for its privacy and anonymity building security features. Firstly, it runs on the best military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy to secure and mask your identity and data.

There are other advanced features like Kill Switch support and a Split-Tunneling feature called Exceptions. The CyberGhost apps also come with connection features like Ad and malicious website blocking, online traffic blocking, automated HTTPS for safe browsing, and data compression to ensure unlimited data.

CyberGhost follows a strict no-logs policy to ensure your privacy online, which means your data is in safe hands. The provider is also located in Romania, free from any 14-eyes countries. You can test CyberGhost with UK TV platforms using the 45-day money-back guarantee or its free trial. It will give you a feel of this user-friendly and secure app!

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5. PureVPN – Large coverage of UK servers for UK TV

• 6500+ servers in 140+ countries, with over 557 servers in the UK.
• Optimized for streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Stable speeds
• Simultaneous connections up to 10 devices
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Chromecast etc.
• Split-tunneling, DDoS protection, Kill Switch
• Works with Netflix UK, ITV, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, All4, Eurosport Player, Sky go

Last but not least, we have PureVPN. You might know PureVPN for having adequate network coverage, but this user-friendly app offers a lot more, which makes it one of the best VPNs to watch UK TV from anywhere in the world.

Let’s talk about its server coverage.  PureVPN offers a massive coverage of 6500+ servers in 140+ countries. Its list has over 550+ servers in the UK, which is more than the others on this list. It means unlimited access to UK TV content on platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, or Eurosport.

When I tested the PureVPN app for speeds, I was able to get really great results from the UK server. On a local internet connection I got 58.37 Mbps, and after connecting to the VPN’s UK server, got a 41.26 Mbps. This will let you stream UK TV without any buffering issues.

Compared to other VPNs that usually score extremely slow speeds on a UK server, these results are definitely a plus point for PureVPN. To test it, I watched an entire season of EastEnders without any buffering or interruptions.

Need to protect more than one device with PureVPN? Or, you’d like stream UK TV content on multiple devices in or outside the UK? Well, you’ll be able to. Another pro is that PureVPN allows its users to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously over one account.

If you’re wondering what the PureVPN security features are like, then you have nothing to worry about. PureVPN offers top of the line AES 256-bit encryption. It’ll safeguard all your activities and digital trails from your device to the internet. You can even choose which protocol to connect to for faster speeds and better security, which in this case, is OpenVPN or IKEv2.

The PureVPN apps offer other security protection like a Kill Switch feature and Split-Tunneling to secure your connection to UK TV services. Don’t worry about your IP or data being exposed, PureVPN is leak protected. I even ran some tests to confirm that. There are other features, like Port Forwarding and DDoS protection, but that comes with a price.

You can test the app using its paid trial period of 7-days or the 31-day money-back guarantee. Plus side is, PureVPN is a no-logs VPN, meaning free from storing or stealing any user data. Overall, PureVPN made a wonderful VPN client for accessing UK TV and many other plus points, making it popular among users.

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FAQs

How to use the VPN to watch UK TV?

Once you are connected and subscribed to the best VPNs for UK TV, there are two ways for you to watch UK TV content. One way is through streaming websites, and the other through UK TV apps.

Through UK TV apps

Accessing UK TV through apps or website aren’t really that different. For apps, you first need to subscribe to a UK TV VPN, and connect to the UK server.

Next, download the streaming app that you need, for instance BBC iPlayer or Netflix UK. Once you’re connected to the UK server, you’ll automatically be able to access these apps. However, mobile devices often have GPS settings to the location you’re physically residing in. Make sure to turn the GPS settings off before starting.

Through streaming websites

There are few things to note when trying to watch UK TV through streaming websites. Make sure that you’re connected to a UK TV VPN and to a UK server for starters. Now, there are some services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer that require a paid subscription.

However, as long as you are connected to a UK server, you will be able to create your account. If you are asked to provide a postal code or address while signing up for these services, make sure you add a UK one.

Other than that, when you’re connected to a UK server and already have a paid subscription to a UK TV service, all you have to do is clear your cookies and cache. Lastly, start streaming!

Why do you need a VPN to watch UK TV?

These 5 providers have all been tested and work smoothly with UK TV platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, ITV Hub, and many more. By connecting to any one of these VPN services, you’re connection is automatically secured through an encrypted tunnel. It protects all your traffic from your device to the internet.

When trying to access geo-restricted or blocked services or even if you’d like to watch UK TV abroad, there are many obstacles that you need to stay clear of.

Firstly, because UK services are subjected to license agreements, accessing them anywhere outside the UK can be troublesome. However, you can solve all those issues by masking your physical IP address, replacing it with a VPN IP address, when you connect to a UK server.

Additionally, you’ll also receive better security protection while streaming or surfing the internet. If you try and access UK TV from a country with high surveillance or censorship laws, there could be consequences. However, a VPN will shield or mask all your activities from prying eyes.

Then there’s something called ISP throttling, have you heard of it? You may have wondered why your speeds are constantly fluctuating, especially if you paid for fast internet speeds. This is caused by your internet service provider infiltrating the overall performance of it. With a VPN, you could bypass ISP throttling.

Can I use a free VPN to watch UK TV abroad?

Yes, you can, but it’s not something I’d recommend.

You’ll find some of the best entertainment, TV shows, or movies on UK TV channels / services. And, you’ll probably need to access them at some point while travelling or living outside the UK. However, to watch UK TV from abroad, means you need to connect to the best VPN for it.

Most UK content is subjected to copyright laws and license agreements, which lead to geo-restrictions in countries worldwide. Using a VPN is one way to access these UK TV services, but as mentioned above, not all VPNs work the same, nor make reliable options.

If a paid working VPN is so difficult to find, imagine the task in finding a free one that works with UK TV? Even if there are a handful of good free VPNs that might allow you to unblock limited UK TV content, there are always restrictions that come with it.

For starters, the speeds won’t be as fast compared to a paid VPN. So, that means you will experience buffering issues. Secondly, because the speeds are slow, you’re going to want to switch UK servers, but you won’t be able to. Free VPNs may or may not offer UK servers, but the IP addresses will be extremely limited.

Free VPNs also fail to offer adequate security features like AES 256-bit encryption. You’re most likely to land up with something lower than expected. There aren’t additional features like a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling or Ad-Blocker that are important for accessing geo-restricted services.

You should consider using a paid free trial VPN instead of a completely free one.

What are the best channels to watch UK TV?

You’ll find numerous British content on several UK TV apps or channels. But, if you’re only looking for the best, they are:

• BBC iPlayer
• Netflix UK
• Eurosport Player
• All 4
• Sky Go
• BT Sport
• ITV Hub
• Film4

To conclude

Now that we’re at the end of this tutorial, you now have the easiest ways showing you how to watch UK TV abroad. Regardless of you living outside the UK or blocked out from using your paid UK TV subscription service, the 5 top UK TV VPNs mentioned on this list are strong enough to get you there. All you need to do is connect to a UK server and start streaming!