How to Watch BBC iPlayer in the USA With a VPN in 2025: Unblock BBC iPlayer From Anywhere
Since there’s nothing like “BBC iPlayer USA,” you’ll need to use a VPN to access the U.K.-only platform. If you haven’t used BBC iPlayer before, we’ll help you set up an account, select a VPN, and use the VPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in this guide.
Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)
Last Updated:
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Key Takeaways: Watch BBC iPlayer in the USA
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform where you can watch British TV shows. Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is only available in the U.K. Here’s how to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA:
- Sign up for a 72% discounted plan on NordVPN’s website.
- Download and install the VPN client.
- Launch the VPN client and connect to a U.K. Server.
- Log in to BBC iPlayer (you’ll need to get a U.K. post code from Google) and start streaming.
Best VPNs to Watch BBC iPlayer:
- NordVPN — Top-rated VPN delivering exceptional performance. NordVPN offers 72% off on the first two years for new users.
- Surfshark — Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited connections. Sign up now to get 66% (plus 3 months free) off the first two years.
- ExpressVPN — User-friendly VPN with premium performance. ExpressVPN’s best deal is available at a 25% discount.
Want to watch British TV shows like Peaky Blinders or Luther? The best of them are available on BBC iPlayer. Unfortunately, there’s no BBC iPlayer USA. The streaming service is only accessible from the U.K. If you want to access BBC iPlayer in the USA, the easiest way is using a good VPN (virtual private network).
You can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN, but you shouldn’t just pick a service at random and try unblocking BBC iPlayer. The reason is that many VPNs might not be able to unblock BBC iPlayer, and some that do will offer a subpar streaming experience. In this guide, we explain why you need a VPN, how to use it and how to select one that works well.
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10/01/2024 Facts checked
We revised the rankings to account for new security measures and speed enhancements.
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01/26/2025 Facts checked
Added more details about the top VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer USA: Why Do I Need a BBC iPlayer VPN?
You need a virtual private network to access BBC iPlayer USA because the platform uses geoblocks to restrict access only to those who are physically located in the U.K. When you access content on BBC iPlayer in the USA, you’ll see this message:
When you connect to a U.K. server, you’ll be assigned a U.K.-based IP address. Accessing BBC iPlayer with a U.K. IP address allows you to stream content on the platform because it will see you as someone who is physically located in the U.K. If you’re curious, we have a guide on how VPNs work. Along with a BBC iPlayer VPN, you’ll also need to create a BBC iPlayer account.
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How to Create a BBC iPlayer Account
You can register on BBC iPlayer in two easy steps, as illustrated below.
- Go to the Registration Page and Enter Your Details
Start by going to the registration page and entering your details. You’ll need to input details like your age, date of birth, email, gender and country. Select the U.K. as your country and enter any U.K. postcode — the platform won’t require verification. Then, choose a new password and click the “register” button.
- Complete Verification
You’ll receive a verification code via email. You’ll need to click on the “verify your email address” button in the email to complete verification.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer With a VPN From Anywhere
Once you’ve created an account on BBC iPlayer, you’re ready to start streaming. British law does require viewers to have a U.K. TV license, but BBC iPlayer doesn’t proactively verify if you have one.
As long as you have a VPN, you should be able to stream what you want from BBC iPlayer in the USA. When asked if you have a license, select “I have a TV license. Watch now,” and you’re good to go.
continue watching a show on BBC iPlayer.
- Download and Install a VPN
Start by signing up with a VPN provider — we recommend NorVPN. Then, download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a U.K. Server
Once you’ve downloaded and installed a VPN, launch it and connect to a U.K. server.
- Access Content on BBC iPlayer in the USA
Now, try accessing content on BBC iPlayer in the USA. You can use the BBC iPlayer website or the BBC iPlayer app to watch your favorite British TV shows.
Can I Use the BBC iPlayer App on My Mobile or Smart TV?
Yes, watching BBC iPlayer on a mobile phone (both Android and iOS) or smart TV is possible via the BBC iPlayer app. If your smart TV’s OS doesn’t have a BBC TV app but has a browser app, you can access BBC iPlayer on a browser instead.
In either case, you’ll still need to use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer content. Most VPNs have an app for mobile devices, but if your smart TV doesn’t support the VPN app, you can always install the VPN on your router.
We recommend using NordVPN because it’s the best BBC iPlayer VPN. It’s also the best VPN for smart TVs and mobile devices.
The 3 Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer outside the U.K., you should know that it proactively blocks VPN users, so you may find BBC iPlayer not working with a VPN. This is because a lot of VPNs can assign you a British IP address, but few can get past BBC iPlayer’s geoblocks.
Below, we discuss three of the best BBC iPlayer VPNs that not only bypass the platform’s geoblocks, but also offer top-notch streaming performance.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is a top VPN when you want to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA. The VPN service has more than 440 servers in the U.K., which means you’ll always have additional servers to try if one of them is overloaded. NordVPN can even block ads so you can watch Peaky Blinders without interruption.
The double VPN feature also adds another layer of security and minimizes the possibility of BBC iPlayer detecting VPN usage. Alternatively, NordVPN also offers dedicated IPs. You can use a dedicated British IP address to access BBC iPlayer too. Learn more about what NordVPN offers in our NordVPN review.
NordVPN is a great value for the money, especially given its features and performance. However, you can still take it for a spin with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
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2. Surfshark — Best Unlimited Connection VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative for BBC iPlayer streaming, Surfshark delivers impressive performance through its U.K. server network. In our testing, it consistently achieved some of the fastest download speeds while maintaining stable connections to BBC iPlayer. The built-in ad and malware blocking ensures smooth streaming without interruptions.
Surfshark’s competitive pricing at $2.19 monthly for a two-year subscription makes it particularly attractive. The unlimited simultaneous connections policy means you can share your account with family members, effectively reducing the cost per user. New users can test Surfshark risk-free with their 30-day money-back guarantee. Our comprehensive Surfshark review provides additional details.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Easy to Use Streaming VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN provides a premium solution for accessing BBC iPlayer, particularly well-suited to newcomers thanks to its user-friendly interface. The one-click connection process simplifies accessing U.K. servers, while maintaining excellent streaming speeds and reliable BBC iPlayer access. Its integrated ad blocking feature ensures an uninterrupted viewing experience.
While ExpressVPN’s premium features come at a higher price point of $4.99 for a two-year subscription, it consistently delivers high-quality performance for BBC iPlayer streaming. New users can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to test ExpresVPN for a month. For a complete analysis, refer to our ExpressVPN review.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Best Free VPN — PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is one of the rare free VPNs that’s safe to use, won’t sell your data, and can actually access BBC iPlayer. It’s decently fast too, though you only get 10GB of free data, which isn’t quite enough to binge a whole season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, but it’ll get you through a few episodes (or a couple of movies).
If you want to upgrade to a paid plan, you get access to ad and malware blocking for a pittance of just $1.11 per month on a two-year plan. You can use its 30-day money-back guarantee as a free trial as well. Read our full PrivadoVPN review for more.
- 10GB
- 1
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
How Can I Watch BBC iPlayer USA Free?
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service, but to access it from the USA, you’ll need a VPN. The best VPN services aren’t free, but you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee to stream content free for 30 days. If you decide to discontinue using the VPN service, you can always get a full refund.
Can I Use a Free VPN for BBC iPlayer US?
Yes, you can use a free VPN for BBC iPlayer U.S., but there’s a catch. Free VPNs are usually unreliable, slow and insecure. They often fail to bypass geo-restrictions, lack a good server network and offer a poor streaming experience. There are a few good free VPNs, like PrivadoVPN, but most free plans typically come with a few limitations, like a data cap.
What Channels & Shows Can I Watch on BBC iPlayer?
You can watch some of the most popular U.K. TV channels on BBC iPlayer. The list of BBC iPlayer channels includes:
- BBC One (livestream)
- BBC Two
- BBC Three
- BBC Four
- CBBC
- BBC News
- Cbeebies
- BBC Scotland
- BBC Parliament
- S4C
- BBC Alba
- Radio
You can watch British TV shows on BBC iPlayer without a TV license. Here’s a list of the most popular shows available on BBC channels, but you can also watch the Olympics on BBC iPlayer for free and the documentary ‘No Other Land’:
- Peaky Blinders
- Top Gear
- Bodyguard
- Line of Duty
- Fleabag
- Panorama
- Killing Eve
- Breakfast
- Baptiste
- The Last Mountain
- EastEnders
- Doctor Who
- Luther
- The Salisbury Poisonings
- The Drop
Can I Watch BBC iPlayer Offline?
You can only watch BBC iPlayer content offline if you’ve downloaded it. Otherwise, you’ll need an active internet connection for streaming TV shows on BBC iPlayer.
The BBC iPlayer app for mobile and tablet devices has a built-in download option under each episode. If you want to download BBC iPlayer content on a computer or laptop, you’ll need to download the BBC iPlayer downloads app.
Final Thoughts
BBC iPlayer has an excellent collection of popular British TV shows. It’s a free service, so you can view your favorite shows on demand, as long as you have a reliable VPN. Using a VPN allows you to bypass the platform’s geoblocks. It’s also important to not just choose any VPN.
An ideal VPN service should be able to bypass geoblocks on BBC iPlayer and offer good connection speeds. We recommend NordVPN. Skeptical? Put NordVPN to the test yourself — its 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try it without any financial commitment.
Have you used a VPN for streaming TV shows on BBC iPlayer first? If yes, which one, and how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading our guide on how to watch BBC iPlayer in USA.
FAQ
Yes, you can get BBC iPlayer in the USA using a VPN. Since the platform is geoblocked, you’ll need to use a VPN and get a British IP address to be able to get BBC iPlayer content from outside the U.K.
You can watch BBC in the USA by connecting to a British VPN server and then accessing the streaming platform. Doing this will make BBC iPlayer think you’re physically located in the U.K., so it will let you access the content.
No, it’s not illegal to watch BBC iPlayer abroad, and neither is using a VPN to access it. That said, BBC iPlayer’s terms of service do prohibit the use of VPN for accessing the platform. That doesn’t make using a VPN illegal and doesn’t entitle BBC to take any action against you. In the worst cases, the platform will suspend your account.