How to Watch Your Favourite UK TV Shows Abroad: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you a fan of UK TV shows like Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and more? Do you find yourself missing these shows when you're on holiday? You're not alone. Many people face the same issue when they travel abroad. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to watch your favourite UK TV shows abroad using platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, and Channel 4.
Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, it's always nice to have a piece of home with you. And what better way to do that than by catching up on your favourite TV shows? With our guide, you'll never have to miss an episode again, no matter where you are in the world.
Table of Contents
- Watching UK TV Shows Abroad: The Basics
- Using a VPN to Watch UK TV Shows Abroad
- How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad
- How to Watch ITV Hub Abroad
- How to Watch My5 Abroad
- How to Watch Channel 4 Abroad
- Trending TV Shows 2023 in the UK
- Common Misconceptions About Watching UK TV Shows Abroad
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Watching UK TV Shows Abroad: The Basics
Before we dive into the specifics of how to watch each show abroad, let's cover some basics. UK TV shows are typically broadcasted on UK-based channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. These channels have online platforms—BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 (for Channel 4), and My5 (for Channel 5)—where they stream their shows. However, due to licensing restrictions, these platforms are only accessible to users within the UK.
So, how can you watch these shows when you're outside the UK? The answer is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to the internet through servers located in different countries. By connecting to a UK server, you can access these platforms as if you were browsing from the UK, allowing you to watch your favourite UK TV shows from anywhere in the world.
Using a VPN to Watch UK TV Shows Abroad
Using a VPN is easy. First, you need to choose a VPN service. There are many VPN services available, but we recommend Nord VPN for its fast speeds, robust security features, and extensive server network. Once you've chosen a VPN service, download and install the VPN app on your device.
After installing the VPN app, open it and connect to a UK server. This will make it appear as if you're browsing from the UK. Now, you can open your preferred streaming platform and start watching your favourite UK TV shows. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the streaming platform.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into the specifics of how to watch each show abroad.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad
BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming platform that offers a variety of TV shows, movies, and live events. However, due to licensing restrictions, it's only available to users within the UK. But with a VPN, you can watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
To watch BBC iPlayer abroad, start by connecting to a UK server on your VPN app. Once you're connected, open the BBC iPlayer app or go to the BBC iPlayer website on your device. If you don't have a BBC iPlayer account, you'll need to create one. It's free and easy to do.
After signing in with your BBC iPlayer account, you can start watching your favourite shows on BBC iPlayer. Remember, the key to watching BBC iPlayer abroad is to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the BBC iPlayer app or website. This makes it appear as if you're browsing from the UK, allowing you to bypass the geographical restrictions.
How to Watch Eastenders Abroad
Eastenders is one of the most popular shows on BBC iPlayer. To watch Eastenders abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to BBC iPlayer, search for Eastenders in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening BBC iPlayer to watch Eastenders abroad.
How to Watch War And Peace Abroad
War And Peace is another popular show on BBC iPlayer. To watch War And Peace abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to BBC iPlayer, search for War And Peace in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening BBC iPlayer to watch War And Peace abroad.
How to Watch ITV Hub Abroad
ITV Hub is another popular streaming platform in the UK. It offers a variety of TV shows, including Coronation Street and Emmerdale. However, just like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub is only available to users within the UK due to licensing restrictions. But with a VPN, you can watch ITV Hub from anywhere in the world.
To watch ITV Hub abroad, start by connecting to a UK server on your VPN app. Once you're connected, open the ITV Hub app or go to the ITV Hub website on your device. If you don't have an ITV Hub account, you'll need to create one. It's free and easy to do.
After signing in with your ITV Hub account, you can start watching your favourite shows on ITV Hub. Remember, the key to watching ITV Hub abroad is to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the ITV Hub app or website. This makes it appear as if you're browsing from the UK, allowing you to bypass the geographical restrictions.
How to Watch Coronation Street Abroad
Coronation Street is one of the most popular shows on ITV Hub. To watch Coronation Street abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to ITV Hub, search for Coronation Street in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening ITV Hub to watch Coronation Street abroad.
How to Watch Emmerdale Abroad
Emmerdale is another popular show on ITV Hub. To watch Emmerdale abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to ITV Hub, search for Emmerdale in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening ITV Hub to watch Emmerdale abroad.
How to Watch My5 Abroad
My5, formerly known as Channel 5, is a UK-based streaming platform that offers a variety of TV shows, including All Creatures Great and Small and Anne Boleyn. However, due to licensing restrictions, My5 is only available to users within the UK. But with a VPN, you can watch My5 from anywhere in the world.
To watch My5 abroad, start by connecting to a UK server on your VPN app. Once you're connected, open the My5 app or go to the My5 website on your device. If you don't have a My5 account, you'll need to create one. It's free and easy to do.
After signing in with your My5 account, you can start watching your favourite shows on My5. Remember, the key to watching My5 abroad is to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the My5 app or website. This makes it appear as if you're browsing from the UK, allowing you to bypass the geographical restrictions.
How to Watch All Creatures Great and Small Abroad
All Creatures Great and Small is a popular show on My5. To watch All Creatures Great and Small abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to My5, search for All Creatures Great and Small in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening My5 to watch All Creatures Great and Small abroad.
How to Watch Anne Boleyn Abroad
Anne Boleyn is another popular show on My5. To watch Anne Boleyn abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to My5, search for Anne Boleyn in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening My5 to watch Anne Boleyn abroad.
How to Watch Channel 4 Abroad
Channel 4, also known as All 4, is a UK-based streaming platform that offers a variety of TV shows, including Hollyoaks and The Inbetweeners. However, due to licensing restrictions, Channel 4 is only available to users within the UK. But with a VPN, you can watch Channel 4 from anywhere in the world.
To watch Channel 4 abroad, start by connecting to a UK server on your VPN app. Once you're connected, open the Channel 4 app or go to the Channel 4 website on your device. If you don't have a Channel 4 account, you'll need to create one. It's free and easy to do.
After signing in with your Channel 4 account, you can start watching your favourite shows on Channel 4. Remember, the key to watching Channel 4 abroad is to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the Channel 4 app or website. This makes it appear as if you're browsing from the UK, allowing you to bypass the geographical restrictions.
How to Watch Hollyoaks Abroad
Hollyoaks is one of the most popular shows on Channel 4. To watch Hollyoaks abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to Channel 4, search for Hollyoaks in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening Channel 4 to watch Hollyoaks abroad.
How to Watch The Inbetweeners Abroad
The Inbetweeners is another popular show on Channel 4. To watch The Inbetweeners abroad, follow the same steps as above. After signing in to Channel 4, search for The Inbetweeners in the search bar. You can then select the episode you want to watch and start streaming. Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening Channel 4 to watch The Inbetweeners abroad.
Trending TV Shows 2023 in the UK
As we delve into the world of television, it's important to note that 2023 has been a fantastic year for UK TV shows. Here are some of the trending shows across various channels:
BBC
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| Doctor Who | The iconic sci-fi series continues to captivate audiences with its blend of adventure, drama, and time travel. The show is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary with the return of Russell T. Davies as showrunner and David Tennant reprising his role as the Tenth Doctor. |
| Rain Dogs | A new series from Daisy May Cooper, Rain Dogs follows the life of Costello Jones, a single mum who loves her daughter Iris, her Brett Easton Ellis-loving soulmate Selby, and Iris' chaotic godmother Gloria more than anything. |
| The Crown Season 6 | The final season of The Crown is set to revolve around Princess Diana's tragic death and the subsequent fallout. Elizabeth Debicki returns as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, and Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II. |
ITV
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| Nolly | A new show from Russell T. Davies, Nolly follows the life of famous '70s soap star Noelle Gordon, portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter. The series explores her rise to stardom and her sudden and mysterious axing in 1981. |
Netflix
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| Lockwood & Co. | A supernatural series based on Jonathan Stroud's book series. The show revolves around young entrepreneur Anthony Lockwood who runs his own business offering assistance battling ghosts. |
| Heartstopper, Season 2 | The sweet teen romance of Heartstopper continues in its second season, exploring queer identity amid steadfast heteronormativity. |
| Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | A spin-off from the popular Bridgerton series, this show focuses on Queen Charlotte's rise to power, taking place before the events of Bridgerton. |
| Top Boy, Season 5 | The gritty drama returns for its final season, following London drug dealers Dushane and Sully as they navigate the dangerous world of the drug trade. |
Channel 4
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| We Are Ladyparts, Season 2 | The acclaimed comedy series returns for a second season, following the formation of an all-women Muslim punk band. |
Amazon Prime
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| The Power | Based on Naomi Alderman's dystopian novel, The Power takes place in a world where women develop an electrical current within their bodies that can cause excruciating pain and even death, changing the male-female dynamic. |
| Good Omens Season 2 | The fantastical duo of the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale return for a second season of this fun, apocalyptic storyline. |
Disney+
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| Extraordinary | A new show where everyone has superpowers except for the protagonist, Jen, who is on a journey to find hers. |
These are just a few of the many exciting shows that are trending in the UK in 2023. Whether you're a fan of drama, comedy, or supernatural thrillers, there's something for everyone.
Common Misconceptions About Watching UK TV Shows Abroad
There are several misconceptions about watching UK TV shows abroad that we'd like to clear up. First, many people believe that it's illegal to use a VPN to watch UK TV shows abroad. This is not true. While it's against the terms of service of most streaming platforms to use a VPN, it's not illegal. However, the streaming platform may block your account if they detect that you're using a VPN.
Another common misconception is that all VPNs are the same. This is not true. Different VPNs have different features, speeds, and server networks. Some VPNs may not have servers in the UK, making them unsuitable for watching UK TV shows abroad. That's why we recommend Nord VPN, as it has a robust server network with many servers in the UK.
Finally, some people believe that they can watch UK TV shows abroad without a VPN by simply changing the location settings on their device. This is not true. Streaming platforms use your IP address to determine your location, and changing the location settings on your device does not change your IP address. The only way to change your IP address is by using a VPN.
Key Takeaways
Watching your favourite UK TV shows abroad is easy with a VPN. By connecting to a UK server on your VPN app, you can bypass the geographical restrictions of UK-based streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, and Channel 4.
Remember to always connect to a UK server on your VPN app before opening the streaming platform. This makes it appear as if you're browsing from the UK, allowing you to watch your favourite UK TV shows from anywhere in the world.
Finally, while using a VPN to watch UK TV shows abroad is not illegal, it's against the terms of service of most streaming platforms. So, use a VPN at your own risk. If the streaming platform detects that you're using a VPN, they may block your account.
Conclusion
Watching your favourite UK TV shows abroad doesn't have to be a hassle. With a VPN, you can enjoy shows like Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and more, no matter where you are in the world. All you need to do is connect to a UK server on your VPN app, open your preferred streaming platform, and start watching. It's that simple.
Remember, while using a VPN is not illegal, it's against the terms of service of most streaming platforms. So, use a VPN at your own risk. If the streaming platform detects that you're using a VPN, they may block your account. That's why it's important to choose a reliable VPN service like Nord VPN that offers robust security features to protect your privacy and prevent detection.
We hope this guide has been helpful in showing you how to watch your favourite UK TV shows abroad. Safe travels and happy watching!