The variety of programming that you can stream on BBC iPlayer is almost unbeatable. From nail-biting dramas to action-packed sports matches and up-to-the-minute news, the streaming service has it all. The only downside is that it’s only available in the UK.
If you’re a UK resident traveling in the US and you’ve already tried and failed to access iPlayer, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you how to use CyberGhost VPN to help maintain access to the platform while keeping your connection private and stable.
Quick Guide: How to Watch BBC iPlayer in the US with a VPN
- Get CyberGhost VPN and install the app on your streaming device.
- Connect to a streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer in the UK.
- Keep watching the best of British TV while you’re in the US.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in the US
BBC iPlayer detects your location based on your IP address. This is why when you try to watch BBC iPlayer in the US, you’ll see the “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK” error message pop up on your screen.
UK residents can use a VPN to get a UK IP address and access BBC iPlayer. That said, not every VPN will work with the platform. CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer that are checked regularly to make sure you can get smooth access and stream while you’re traveling in the US.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer so you can get easy access to the platform when you’re traveling abroad. Our team tests these servers frequently to ensure they give you unfettered access, no matter where you are.
Our ultra-fast VPN servers will always give you a super speedy connection, so you can stream in the highest quality available with no lag or buffering. Our network includes 10-Gbps servers in our busiest locations, so you won’t be affected by overcrowding and slowdowns, even during peak hours.
You also get unlimited bandwidth, so you can watch BBC iPlayer in the US without having to wait out an unintended cliffhanger because your VPN connection drops off.
You don’t need to worry about content-based ISP throttling, either. CyberGhost VPN uses robust encryption to hide your activity. This prevents your ISP from seeing that you’re streaming and slowing your connection based on your activity.
You can connect up to 7 devices with 1 subscription, making it easy to continue watching on your smartphone or tablet while you’re out and about. CyberGhost VPN has native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV, and you can set it up on your router to stream securely on additional devices, like game consoles and smart TVs that don’t support VPNs. Our apps are super-easy to use – even if you’ve never used a VPN before.
Try CyberGhost VPN risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.
How to Sign Up for BBC iPlayer from Abroad
Here’s how to watch BBC iPlayer in the US if you’ve forgotten to create an iPlayer account before leaving the UK:
- Sign up for CyberGhost VPN and download the app to your streaming device.
- Launch the app, open the menu, tap For streaming, then select the BBC iPlayer server in the UK.
- Go to your browser and open the BBC iPlayer website.
- Tap Sign in and then Register now.
- Follow the step-by-step instructions to create a BBC account.
- Head back to the BBC iPlayer home screen and start streaming.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Your Computer
BBC iPlayer supports a range of popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. You can use any of these to watch BBC shows online for free on your computer.
When you’re traveling outside of the UK, you can install CyberGhost VPN on your laptop and connect to our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer to get a UK IP address. This lets you access the platform just like you would back home.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Mobile
The BBC iPlayer app is available on Android and iOS devices. You can stream live on the app or download shows and movies to watch offline.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer on iOS
- Check that your Apple ID location is set to the UK.
- Navigate to the App Store and search for “CyberGhost VPN.”
- Download the app.
- Open CyberGhost VPN, tap the location button, tap Streaming, and select the streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer.
- Return to the App Store and download the BBC iPlayer app.
- Sign in with your BBC account and start streaming.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Android
- Make sure your Google Play Store region is set to the UK.
- Go to the Play Store, search for “CyberGhost VPN,” and download the app.
- Open CyberGhost VPN, tap Streaming in the menu, and connect to the streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer.
- Head back to the Play Store and download the BBC iPlayer app.
- Log in to the iPlayer app with your BBC account details, and find what you want to watch.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer on a Smart TV
You can also use CyberGhost VPN to watch BBC shows in America using the smart TV in your accommodation. We have a native app for Android TV, which you can easily install on your device. All you need to do is:
- Make sure your Google Play Store country is set to the UK.
- Search for CyberGhost VPN in the Google Play Store and install the app.
- Open the app and enter your CyberGhost account details to log in. Alternatively, you can validate the PIN code that appears on the screen in your online account.
- Connect to our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer.
- Log in to iPlayer and start streaming.
If your smart TV uses a different operating system, you can try setting up CyberGhost VPN on your router, casting iPlayer from your mobile, or sharing your VPN connection via a mobile hotspot.
Other Ways to Watch BBC iPlayer
The most convenient way to watch BBC iPlayer on a TV when you’re traveling abroad is to take a portable streaming device you use at home. This gives you the freedom to access BBC iPlayer on any TV with an HDMI input.
CyberGhost VPN has a native app for Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can also configure CyberGhost VPN on your router so that you can stream iPlayer on your Roku, Kodi, or Apple TV device while you’re in the US.
What Channels Do You Get on BBC iPlayer?
Here are the BBC channels on iPlayer and the content they feature:
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- BBC One: News, prime-time entertainment, and sport.
- BBC Two: Docutainment, comedy, drama, and arts shows.
- BBC Three: Music, fashion, adult animation, and drama series.
- BBC Four: Dramas, current affairs programs, movies, and reruns of classic shows.
- CBBC: Educational series and other content for children aged 6 to 15.
- CBeebies: Animated and live-action shows for younger kids.
- BBC Scotland: News, sports, and programs relating to Scotland.
- BBC News: National news and current affairs, business, and political shows.
- BBC Parliament: Live and recorded coverage of UK and Scottish Parliament sessions, the London Assembly, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Welsh Senedd.
- BBC Alba: News, sport, music, children’s programs, and entertainment in Gaelic.
- S4C: Welsh-language news, drama, documentaries, music, and children’s programs.
In addition to live TV, BBC iPlayer has lots of on-demand content, including classic shows from the BBC archives.
What Sports Can You Watch on BBC iPlayer?
If you’re a UK-based sports fan, you’ll want to know how to watch the BBC in the US to stay in the loop while you’re on vacation. On BBC iPlayer, you can stream live football, including the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup matches, rugby, cricket, golf, and tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon.
Besides live matches, you can also watch highlight reels, sports commentary shows, and documentaries. Whether you prefer to watch matches as they happen or catch up a little later, it’s essential to have a reliable VPN for streaming to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the action when you travel abroad.
Can I use a VPN to unblock a streaming service from a different country?
Some streaming fans may connect to a VPN server in the country where a certain streaming service is available in order to watch from a different country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.
FAQ
CyberGhost VPN is the best choice for UK residents vacationing in the US. Our streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer can help you access the service while you’re traveling abroad. You also get fast speeds for seamless streaming. Try it risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.
Most VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer because the platform tracks IP addresses and blocks those it associates with VPNs. To access the platform securely, connect to one of CyberGhost VPN’s streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer. We regularly test these servers to make sure you can easily access the platform.
To watch BBC iPlayer in the US on Apple TV, first make sure your device software is up to date, and that your Apple TV region is set to the UK. Then, you’ll need to set CyberGhost VPN up on your router and connect to our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer. Finally, download the BBC iPlayer app from the App Store and log in to your BBC account.
Go to the application store on your device, search for “BBC iPlayer,” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Your Google Play or App Store account needs to be set to the UK in order to download the iPlayer app.
You can watch a selection of British TV shows on-demand in the US with an Acorn TV subscription. Free streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Channel 4 are only available in the UK, but if you’re a UK resident on holiday in the US, you can use CyberGhost VPN to access these services. We have streaming-optimized servers for most UK streaming platforms!
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