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Try the best VPN for BBC iPlayer

Q: Why does BBC iPlayer not work with VPN?

BBC iPlayer works best when you’re connected to the UK server location closest to your geographic location. If you’re connected to a UK location and still having difficulty, please contact Support.

Q: Can I use ExpressVPN to listen to BBC Sounds (aka BBC iPlayer Radio)?

Yes! ExpressVPN is fully compatible with BBC audio programming. Use ExpressVPN with BBC Sounds to listen to Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra, plus podcasts, audiobooks, children's programming, documentaries, sports, and more.

Fast streaming on all devices
Secure, private access on any network
24-hour live chat support

Fast streaming on all devices
Secure, private access on any network
24-hour live chat support

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Watch BBC One live in 3 easy steps

Step 1

Step 2: Connect

Globe showing Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Connect to one of our secure VPN server locations in the UK.

Step 3: Stream

Let ExpressVPN run in the background as you watch shows on BBC iPlayer.

Stream BBC One, BBC Two,
and more

BBC iPlayer gives you access to BBC content spread across 11 channels:

BBC One

The original channel, featuring programmes for a wide general audience.

BBC Two

More intellectual programming like documentaries and critically acclaimed series.

BBC Three

Reality TV shows and other programmes geared toward a younger, hipper demographic.

BBC Four

Arts, music, and science. Formerly the educational BBC Knowledge channel.

CBBC

CBBC stands for Children's BBC, aimed at children 6-12.

BBC News

With national, international, sports, and political coverage.

BBC Radio 1

Also has visual content like music videos and celebrity interviews.

BBC Parliament

Covering live and recorded sessions of Parliament.

BBC Alba

A Scottish Gaelic-language channel.

Cbeebies

CBBC's sister channel, geared toward children younger than 6.

S4C

A Welsh-language channel.

FAQ: How to watch BBC with a VPN

Does ExpressVPN work with BBC iPlayer?

Yes! As the best UK VPN, ExpressVPN has ultra-fast servers in the United Kingdom offering a secure and private connection free from throttling. ExpressVPN also works seamlessly with ITV, Channel 4, Sky, and NOW.

Why does BBC iPlayer not work with VPN?

On what devices can I watch BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN?

BBC iPlayer is available on a wide range of devices, including:

Smartphones and tablets, including iOS and Android
Computers, including Mac, Windows, and Linux
Smart TVs and TV box systems, including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV Stick, and Samsung Smart TV
Game consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox

ExpressVPN has easy-to-use apps for many of these devices and covers up to eight devices simultaneously with a single subscription. But even if your device cannot install ExpressVPN directly, you can still enjoy full VPN benefits by connecting it to a router running ExpressVPN.

Want BBC iPlayer on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.

Can I use a free proxy for BBC iPlayer?

Accessing BBC iPlayer with a free proxy service is not recommended. Free proxies are under no obligation to protect your privacy, and some might even sell your online activity to third parties to make money. Many free proxy services are also very slow and don’t function as advertised.

Learn more about the downsides of free proxy services.

Does ExpressVPN come with a BBC account?

No. ExpressVPN doesn’t come with a BBC account, but you can register for free on the BBC’s website with a UK postcode, even if you’re abroad. ExpressVPN complements your BBC account to help you watch content online with zero ISP throttling.

How do I watch BBC live?

To watch live programming on BBC, log in to your BBC iPlayer account, look at the TV Guide to see what’s playing right now, and select the program you wish to stream live. You can stream live content from BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC Scotland, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Alba, and S4C.

Can I use BBC iPlayer to watch sports?

Yes! With BBC iPlayer, you can watch highlights and documentaries featuring top sports like football, athletics, rugby, and more.

Learn more about using ExpressVPN to watch live sports.

Can I watch live events on BBC iPlayer?

Yes! You can watch live streams of events like the Glastonbury Festival, the BAFTAs, and Eurovision on BBC iPlayer. Royal events like the King's Coronation also stream live on BBC iPlayer.

Will a VPN slow down my BBC streams?

All VPNs add a layer of encryption, which can potentially slow your connection, but ExpressVPN consistently ranks as one of the fastest VPNs around, so you probably won’t notice a difference. Our network of servers is constantly optimized to give you the best streaming experience.

In fact, if your ISP throttles video-streaming services, then using a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer might actually make your connection faster.

Can I use ExpressVPN to listen to BBC Sounds (aka BBC iPlayer Radio)?

What is BritBox?

BritBox is a subscription streaming service for British television, jointly launched by ITV and the BBC. With BritBox, viewers can stream programming from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. BritBox airs older content from the BBC and ITV to avoid competing with ITVX (formerly ITV Hub) and BBC iPlayer. It is available to viewers in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, who can watch BritBox content on their phones, tablets, computers, Chromecast, Apple TV, or Roku.

Learn more about streaming BritBox with ExpressVPN.

What British TV channels can I watch online with a VPN?

With ExpressVPN, you can securely stream free-to-air British TV channels like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Sky Go, Channel 4, My5, and Now TV. ExpressVPN also works with premium streaming services that specialize in British content like BritBox and Acorn TV.

What else can I do with ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN helps you enjoy secure and private access to services worldwide. You can use it to bypass censorship in some countries that block access to sites like YouTube, Google, and Twitter. You can also use it to help improve your gaming experience, or to stream services securely, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Choose Plan

ExpressVPN is optimized to work with BBC iPlayer so you can enjoy online privacy and security all the time, without the VPN interfering. It should not be used as a means of copyright circumvention. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our service, so you are responsible for complying with our Terms of Service, your content provider’s terms, and any applicable laws.

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