Australia is a breathtaking country with a thriving economy, which is why the pipeline leading to it from the United Kingdom is so strong. In fact, it’s the number one relocation destination for UK citizens. But there’s something missing. Whether you’re moving there or just a fan of British content, you can’t watch UK TV in Australia.
That’s because British TV networks are immediately out of reach when you step out of the region. It’s due to geo-restrictions, which enforce rights and licensing agreements limiting access to these channels.
Luckily, there’s a way to circumvent this, and that involves using a VPN service. This article provides a step-by-step guide to watching live (and on-demand) British TV channels from Australia.
How to Watch UK TV in Australia in 4 Steps?
Here’s our brief tutorial on how to unblock UK TV channels in Australia:
- Subscribe to a VPN. NordVPN is our #1 pick.
- Set up a VPN on your device.
- Connect to a UK VPN server.
- Watch BBC, ITVX, Channel 4, and many more.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch UK TV in Australia
The United Kingdom offers vibrant and diverse television, featuring an array of networks to cater to various tastes, including household names like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky. They all come with different channels, with content ranging from the news to sports and entertainment.
But once you step outside the United Kingdom’s borders, geo-restrictions kick in, immediately barring access to these channels. This limitation results from licensing agreements and copyright regulations, which tightly control where and how their content can be accessed.
As a result, British expats, UK travelers, and avid fans of British programming in Australia find themselves deprived of their preferred content. And while there are some decent Aussie channels, they don’t quite come close.
This is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes in. When you connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom, the provider masks your actual location and reroutes your internet connection through that server.
In doing so, it makes it appear as if you are accessing UK TV channels from the comfort of your British living room — even when you’re thousands of miles away in Australia. That way, you get the content that resonates with you, no matter where you are in the world.
How to Watch UK TV in Australia — 4 Easy Steps
To watch British TV channels anywhere outside the UK (in this case Australia), you must download and install a VPN service. It’s pretty straightforward, as you’ll see from the steps below.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Start by selecting a reputable VPN service with servers in the United Kingdom. In addition, the provider must come with robust security and privacy functionality, fast connection speeds, and excellent unblocking capabilities. NordVPN ticks all the boxes.
Step 2: Sign Up and Install the VPN
Go to the VPN website. Purchase a suitable subscription plan and create an account. Download and install the VPN application on your device from the official website or app store.
Step 3: Connect to a UK Server
Launch the VPN application and log in with your credentials. Choose a British server from the list of available locations to get a UK IP. This will virtually place your internet connection within the country.
Step 4: Access UK TV Channels
Once connected to a UK server, return to the website or app of your desired TV channel. You now have access to a ton of British content, just as if you were browsing from within the United Kingdom.
The 3 Best VPNs to Watch UK TV in Australia
There’s an overwhelming number of providers in the market. However, you can only trust a few to consistently offer access to the content you want. We tested dozens of VPNs to narrow things down and compiled a shortlist of the best options to help you watch British TV channels in Australia.
We focused on premium VPN services for this selection.
1. NordVPN
Renowned for its exceptional performance and reliability, NordVPN is your best bet to enjoy UK TV channels in Australia.
It comes with a vast network spanning 111 countries and 6,500+ servers. That includes a substantial presence (more than 440 servers) in the United Kingdom to ensure seamless access to live and on-demand content.
You never have to worry about unreliable service thanks to high bandwidth infrastructure and its custom protocol. Even considering the distance from Australia to its UK servers, the VPN is fast enough for uninterrupted streaming, allowing you to immerse yourself in your football game, TV show, or news.
NordVPN’s capabilities extend beyond British TV. It effortlessly unblocks major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Following several tests, we’re yet to see a service with blocking technology that has proven insurmountable.
On top of that, it strongly emphasizes privacy and security. Using advanced encryption protocols, NordVPN ensures your online activities remain private and secure from potential threats. The strict no-logs policy provides additional privacy assurance, underscoring its commitment to protecting user data. In addition, the provider’s toolkit is full of advanced features.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to claim a refund if you’re unsatisfied with its service.
2. ExpressVPN
British Virgin Islands-based ExpressVPN is an extraordinary pick, so it’s no surprise it nearly tops this list of the best VPNs for watching live British TV from Australia.
It offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries across the globe. For the UK, there are servers in 5 cities. It doesn’t say how many, but considering how rarely you’ll experience server congestion and slowdowns, we can assume it’s a sizeable collection.
The VPN consistently bypasses geo-restrictions on websites and online services, and UK TV networks are no match. That ability is reflected on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
Expect blazing-fast connection speeds. That means you can binge-watch Love Island (the real one, not Love Island Australia) in high definition without experiencing annoying lags.
Privacy and security-wise, ExpressVPN is a fortress. It employs military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced security features like a kill switch and split tunneling. Your online activities remain private and protected from potential threats while you indulge in your favorite British TV programming.
The provider offers comprehensive compatibility, allowing you to enjoy UK TV channels from Australia on a wide range of supported devices. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee attached, so you can try it risk-free.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is steadily climbing the VPN leaderboard thanks to its ease of use, performance, and top-notch features. The VPN even stands out in certain areas, such as the massive network of servers it offers. There are 12,000+ in total, spanning 100 countries.
Of those, more than 700 are in the UK, which is pretty impressive coverage. Its dedicated streaming servers provide fast connections, ideal for uninterrupted streaming of your favorite British TV content in Australia. If you run into slow servers, there are plenty more that are speedier.
CyberGhost scales the geo-fences imposed by UK TV channels and networks hassle-free to grant easy and reliable access. Whether it’s Sky, ITV, BBC, or Paramount, you’ll have no issues streaming the content you enjoy. But it doesn’t stop there. The VPN unblocks several popular streaming services, from Netflix to HBO Max, Disney+, and more.
On the privacy and security front, CyberGhost is stacked. Using bank-level encryption, it protects your online traffic from hackers and other shady entities. There’s also an airtight kill switch to prevent exposure when your connection drops. Plus, its no-logs policy has undergone third-party verification.
CyberGhost’s compatibility with a wide range of devices ensures you can watch British TV on any preferred platform. To top it off, it offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, underscoring its confidence in providing a top-tier VPN service.
Can You Watch British TV in Australia With a Free VPN?
You can, but we don’t recommend it. Why? They consistently fall short of delivering reliable and enjoyable viewing experiences. While some decent free VPNs exist, most are not worth the effort despite being cost-free.
To begin with, they typically offer limited server options, slower speeds, and inconsistent performance. Consequently, you’re often stuck with frustrating buffering and reduced video quality, which drastically reduces your entertainment.
Moreover, most free VPN services struggle to circumvent the restrictions on British TV channels in the first place. A couple of free VPN providers can unblock BBC iPlayer, but that’s the best you get.
Furthermore, free VPNs might compromise your online privacy and security. Many of them offer sub-par security features and even more log your data. It’s generally best to stay away. You could try using cheap VPN services instead.
Conclusion
British TV has it all: gripping dramas, hilarious comedies, and exciting live sports events. Unfortunately, that trip to Melbourne cuts off your access to your favorite content until you’re back on the island. If you don’t use a VPN, that is. The technology bypasses the restrictions placed by television networks to offer all the content you know and love.
The best VPN service to help you watch UK TV in Australia is NordVPN. The provider offers an extensive network of servers, is incredibly fast, and easily bypasses geo-restrictions. On top of that, it keeps your data safe and private while you stream.
