How to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA in 2024

BBC iPlayer is a popular British streaming service. Unfortunately, its content is available only for people in the UK. So, to enjoy it, you’ll need to get an IP address located in the UK. You’ll need a UK account as well. Obviously, that’s not physically possible for residents of any other country.

There is some good news, though. Thanks to top VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), people can now watch BBC iPlayer in the USA and abroad (outside the UK). All you have to do is set up a VPN on your router or computer, connect to British servers, create an account on BBC iPlayer, and then enjoy your shows.

To watch BBC iPlayer outside United Kingdom, you’ll have to use a VPN, which is not at all complicated. If you haven’t used one before, follow the steps listed below.

How to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA

1. Choose a VPN to overcome BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions. We recommend NordVPN, now 69% OFF! We used it to watch BBC iPlayer and and it worked perfectly.
2. Install and set up the VPN service on your device.
3. Choose a British server and connect to it.
4. Go to BBC iPlayer’s website and create an account.
5. Grab your favorite snacks and enjoy BBC iPlayer.

Why do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer is only available for UK residents, so if you live outside the country, the content on the platform will not be available to you. That is unless you get a reputable VPN – it can change your IP address and make it look like you’re from the UK.

If you visit BBC iPlayer from anywhere other than the UK without a VPN and click on a title, this message will pop up at the top of your screen: “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”

Yet again, not every VPN is suitable for bypassing geo-restrictions. You need a service suitable for streaming that can also ensure excellent performance. Continue reading to learn how to choose a VPN for unblocking BBC iPlayer.

Best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer

Looking for the best VPN services for BBC iPlayer may be difficult considering that there are so many options to filter through. However, there are a few characteristics that you should always go for in a decent VPN provider.

Here’s what you should look for in a VPN:

• Unblocks BBC iPlayer and other streaming services
• Uses innovative technology that ensures high Internet connection speed
• Provides reliable security features, such as a kill switch
• Doesn’t keep logs of your browsing activities
• Compatibility with all major operating systems
• Usable on multiple devices at once

While there are multiple VPN services that meet the criteria listed above, I recommend these three VPNs:

1. NordVPN – best VPN service for watching BBC iPlayer in the US
2. Surfshark – reliable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
3. IPVanish – affordable and easy-to-use VPN

How to download and watch BBC iPlayer on your device

The BBC iPlayer download and installation process is not at all challenging. However, it differs from one device to the other. Consequently, I’m going to share how to download and watch BBC iPlayer on the most popular devices:

• Watch BBC iPlayer on Roku
• Watch BBC iPlayer on Amazon Fire Stick
• Watch BBC iPlayer on Chromecast
• Watch BBC iPlayer on Apple TV

Note that if you're planning to enjoy BBC iPlayer on devices that don't support VPNs, you will need to check how to install a VPN on a router and use its protected shared network.

Watch BBC iPlayer on Roku

To watch BBC iPlayer on Roku, you need the BBC iPlayer app. You can find it in Roku’s Channel Store. Keep in mind that you must have a Roku UK account as well.

Here are the steps you must follow to watch BBC iPlayer on Roku in the USA:

1. Reset your Roku device
2. Set up a VPN on your router. NordVPN is our top choice.
3. Connect to a UK server
4. Connect the Roku device to your TV and sign in to your account
5. Access Roku’s Channel Store, find the BBC iPlayer player app, and install it
6. After the installation is complete, open it and sign in using your BBC iPlayer credentials

Note: Roku operating system doesn't support any VPN apps natively so you need to set up a VPN on your router, and connect Roku to that specific router. Otherwise, the BBC iPlayer will not give you access to its content.

Watch BBC iPlayer on Amazon Fire Stick

If you have an Amazon Fire Stick, know that you can watch BBC iPlayer in the USA. You can get the app directly from Amazon, and the installation process is straightforward.

Here’s what you have to do to watch BBC iPlayer on an Amazon Fire Stick:

1. Subscribe to the VPN app of your choice. We choose recommend NordVPN it has native Fire Stick app
2. Install VPN app on your Fire stick and connect to UK server
3. Search the BBC iPlayer app and install it
4. Launch the BBC iPlayer app and enter your login credentials

Note: you may need to create a UK Amazon account to watch BBC iPlayer on an Amazon Fire Stick. That’s not always the case, as some users claim, but it’s sometimes necessary. I recommend you do it right off the bat to avoid any inconveniences.

Watch BBC iPlayer on Chromecast

To cast BBC iPlayer shows to your Chromecast device, you can use the BBC iPlayer app on your Android or iOS device or the Chrome browser on a laptop or desktop on which you enabled the Chromecast extension. And to access BBC iPlayer content abroad United Kingdom you will need to install the VPN on device you want to use Chromecast with.

Here is what you have to do to watch BBC iPlayer on Chromecast in the USA using an Android or iOS device:

1. Download and set up a VPN on your device. NordVPN is the one we trust for this.
2. Choose a server in the UK
3. Open the BBC iPlayer on your device
4. Find a title, open it, and wait for the cast icon to appear
5. Click on the cast icon, and you should be able to watch your show on your TV

Note: Make sure that the device you use to cast BBC iPlayer and the Chromecast device are connected to the same router (on which you set a VPN connection up).

Watch BBC iPlayer on Apple TV

When you want to watch BBC iPlayer on your Apple TV in the USA, you’re required to change the App Store region to the UK. That’s because the BBC iPlayer is not available for an Apple TV in the USA. As a result, you have to download the app from the UK.

The steps you need to follow to watch BBC iPlayer on an Apple TV in the USA are as follows:

1. Connect your Apple TV to your TV
2. Open the Region section in the device’s settings. Go to General > Region
3. Select the UK and provide all the necessary details
4. Go to the App Store, look for the BBC iPlayer app, and download it
5. Download and set up a VPN on Apple TV. We think NordVPN is the best option.
6. Connect the Apple TV to the router on which you installed the VPN
7. Open the BBC iPlayer app and sign in

Don't miss a chance to check our best VPN for Apple TV page to find provider that will meet your needs.

How to watch BBC iPlayer outside UK

If you want to learn how to watch BBC iPlayer abroad the UK, you’ll find this section most helpful. People from all over the world want to have access to this streaming service. I’ll show you how to do that.

Watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere

With a VPN, BBC iPlayer is accessible anywhere. Whether you want to watch BBC iPlayer from Canada, Australia, or other countries in Europe, such as Germany, France, Spain, etc., all you have to do is follow these 4 simple steps:

1. Choose a VPN provider and set the VPN connection up on your router or your computer. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Open the VPN app on your device
3. Choose a server from the UK from the provided list
4. Open your BBC iPlayer app or go to bbc.co.uk to watch your favorite show.

Note: The process described above differs depending on the device on which you want to watch BBC iPlayer. Please refer to previous sections for more details.

How to sign up for BBC iPlayer

The BBC iPlayer signup process is as simple as with any other streaming service. Here is what you have to do to sign up for BBC iPlayer:

1. Go to BBC iPlayer’s website, and click on the Sign in button in the left top corner of the homepage.

2. Since you don’t have an account, you have to click on the Register Now button at the bottom.
3. Select your age group.
4. Provide BBC iPlayer with your date of birth.
5. You have to provide an email address and create a password for your account. Country and postal code are required as well. You can find postal codes online. I used the one for London.
6. Once you finish filling in the blanks, click on the Register button, and you’ll receive a verification email that you'll need to click on. You’re pretty much done by this point.

How to watch BBC iPlayer for free?

While it is possible to watch BBC iPlayer for free, free VPNs are rarely a good choice. Completely free VPNs are questionable. Their funds come from selling tracked data and ads, and they slow down your Internet connection.

Yet, if you still wish to save a dollar, you can find entirely free VPNs online. Keep in mind that ProtonVPN is the only free-of-charge service that we fully trust.

But if you feel like you are on the edge of changing your mind and a premium VPN starts to seem attractive, then you can benefit from the free trials offered by the best VPNs on the market:

• NordVPN – NordVPN is a VPN service that flawlessly unblocks BBC iPlayer and other major streaming platforms with a guaranteed buffer-free experience. The pricing starts from $3.09/month and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
• Surfshark – with Surfshark you can effortlessly unblock BBC iPlayer on unlimited devices simultaneously and watch high-quality videos. You get a risk-free month of trial and plans costing as low as $2.29 per month.
• IPVanish – a reliable VPN service that wouldn’t let you down at bypassing BBC iPlayer geo-restrictions in the US. Plans pricing starts at $2.75/month and a 30-day money-back guarantee is included.

Best streaming service alternatives for BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming service in the UK. If you don’t live there, the best streaming service alternatives for BBC iPlayer are Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and the list goes on.

Netflix is a streaming service accessible from all around the world. However, its library differs from one continent to another. For instance, the USA library is the most extensive. Even so, installing a VPN will let you access Netflix from anywhere in the world.

Hulu is yet another streaming service that geo-blocks its content. Only USA residents have access to it. Once again, you can access Hulu from anywhere as long as you set up a VPN.

HBO Max is the same as Hulu. It streams only in the USA. The only way to access HBO Max outside the USA is to download and set up a VPN.

What can you watch on BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming platforms that includes multiple channels and dozens of great things to watch.

Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on BBC iPlayer:

BBC iPlayeris is constantly uploading fresh content to enjoy, so make sure you keep up with it by checking out BBC iPlayer website!

Conclusion

If you want to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, you’ll need to use a really good VPN that hasn’t been blocked by the BBC. Unfortunately, streaming services are getting better at detecting VPNs, so it’s vital to find one that can unblock the content you want before you commit to a long-term payment plan.

Luckily, there are reliable VPNs, such as our favorite NordVPN, that are able to unblock BBC iPlayer outsite the UK and allow you to enjoy high-quality videos thanks to fast network connection.

Moreover, with a trustworthy VPN, not only you can access all major streaming services but you are also protected from online threats with next-gen security features.

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