One thing’s for sure: as long as you have access to them, you’ll never run out of television channels and content to watch while you’re in the United States. That said, maybe you’ve relocated across the pond, are taking a vacation, or are just a fan of British television. In any of those cases, chances are that you’ll want to watch UK TV in the US.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as heading over to the BBC iPlayer or ITV websites and clicking play. You see, UK TV channels and streaming services are geo-restricted, which means they are only available to watch in the United Kingdom.
Don’t worry — there are a few ways to get around this, and the most effective approach is using a VPN. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to overcome these restrictions and enjoy the best of British television wherever you are in the United States. But first, an overview of the issue.
Watch UK TV in the United States: A Short Guide
To unblock UK TV channels in the USA, you must obtain a British IP address. You can do this with a reliable VPN like NordVPN, with over 440 servers in the UK and unlimited bandwidth. Here’s how to use it to watch UK TV in the US:
- Get NordVPN.
- Install the VPN and sign in to the app.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Go to BBC, ITVX, or any other UK TV channel and watch it.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch UK TV in the US
Take a trip or relocate from the United Kingdom to the US or anywhere else, and you’ll certainly miss your TV back home. The latest episodes of popular British shows, live coverage of the Premier League and other sports events, breaking news, and talk shows — there’s so much on offer that keeps you entertained and connected to the culture you love.
Sure, there’s a ton of content and variety in the American broadcast and cable space. Still, there’s just something different about the charm and distinctiveness you’ll experience on Sky, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and other channels.
However, most TV channels and streaming platforms are strictly off-limits to anyone beyond British borders. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States is like hitting a UK TV blackout. You can still access the websites and apps, but you’ll be unable to stream television content on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and other platforms.
That’s because each service detects your device’s IP address and recognizes that it originates outside the UK — and geo-restrictions immediately kick into place.
If you want to bridge this gap effectively, the trick is to appear to change your location.
When you connect to a British-based server through a UK VPN, your real IP address is hidden, and you’re assigned an IP address there instead. This tricks the streaming platforms into thinking you’re in the United Kingdom, essentially granting you full access to all the television content you love.
Now that we’ve clarified the situation, let’s take a look at how to watch British television from the USA.
How to Watch UK TV in the US — 3 Easy Steps
If you’re worried about being sucked into a complicated process, you shouldn’t be. Activating British TV in the United States only involves three easy steps. You’ll need a quality VPN with excellent streaming capabilities and UK servers, of course. We recommend NordVPN.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Start by selecting a reputable VPN provider with servers in the United Kingdom. However, your chosen provider must be stacked in other areas, too. For best results, they should offer high-speed connections, strong unblocking capabilities, and robust security and privacy features.
As mentioned above, our top recommendation for watching British TV from the US (live and on-demand) is NordVPN.
Step 2: Download and Install the VPN
Visit the VPN provider’s website and select a suitable subscription plan. Create an account, providing the necessary information and payment details. And then pay for the plan.
Once your subscription is confirmed, download and install the VPN application on your device. Many top VPN providers offer user-friendly installation guides for various platforms, like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Step 3: Connect to a UK Server
This is where the magic happens. After installing the VPN app, launch it and log in using your account details. Head to the server selection menu, choose a UK-based server, and connect to it.
This will mask your IP address and assign you a UK IP address associated with the server, effectively bypassing geo-blocking restrictions.
Now, you’re ready to enjoy UK TV content from your American location. Visit the websites or apps of your favorite channels and follow the usual steps to begin watching.
Best VPNs to Watch British TV in the US — Our Top 3 Picks
Unblocking geo-restrictions is a pretty common claim by VPNs. However, in reality, the results are usually hit-and-miss. If you want smooth sailing, your provider must have no issues providing access to a wide range of television channels and networks.
The VPNs below are the best of the bunch for watching UK TV channels in the USA — and your other streaming needs. But they also pack much more under the hood.
Let’s get down to it.
1. NordVPN
The highly popular Panama-based NordVPN is an excellent choice for accessing UK TV channels from the United States. This provider offers a robust package of features and performance — and it’s earned a reputation for airtight privacy and security.
NordVPN boasts an extensive network of nearly 6,500 servers in 111 countries. Its collection of 440+ servers in the UK ensures you get consistent, dependable access to UK TV channels like ITV and BBC iPlayer. It also excels at unblocking content from international streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, easily circumventing any geo-fences in the way.
In terms of performance, NordVPN blows most rivals away. Even though it’s a long distance between both countries, you can always expect smooth playback without the annoyance of buffering. As long as you have a fast internet connection to begin with, that is. The VPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is WireGuard on steroids, and there’s also its 10 Gbps server infrastructure.
NordVPN prioritizes user privacy and data security. It deploys military-grade encryption to protect your online activities and personal information. Other features, like an app-level automatic kill switch, RAM-only servers, and DNS leak protection, keep your online sessions completely confidential. Plus, the provider’s strict no-logs policy guarantees that your data is not stored or tracked.
Those are industry-standard features for a top VPN. Where NordVPN really stands out is with the array of advanced tools in its arsenal, like native Onion over VPN functionality.
NordVPN allows you to protect up to ten devices at the same time with one subscription, which is around average in the industry. If you encounter any issues, the provider offers 24/7 customer support to address your inquiries and provide assistance.
2. ExpressVPN
The British Virgin Islands-based provider tops most VPN rankings thanks to its compelling combination of features, high performance, and unwavering reliability.
It offers a collection of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. A good chunk of those servers are spread across five locations in the United Kingdom, guaranteeing you’ll never run out of options for stable connections.
ExpressVPN’s rotating IP addresses every 24 hours have even the toughest geo-blocks struggling to keep up. Because of its exceptional unblocking capabilities, you can catch up on the latest British dramas, sports events, or news broadcasts on ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and other channels. The provider is just as adept at unblocking exclusive content on local and international streaming services like Netflix UK, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
There’s no consistently faster VPN around. A blazing-fast proprietary protocol and next-gen infrastructure translate into excellent performance, meaning you don’t have to worry about annoying buffering.
You want your personal information safe and private while you stream, and ExpressVPN prioritizes that. The VPN implements military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep hackers and other malicious hackers out. You also have RAM-based servers and a strict, verified no-logs policy to prevent a trail of digital breadcrumbs.
We like its Threat Manager feature, which is great for protecting your online traffic from malicious websites and pesky trackers.
A single subscription lets you stream UK TV channels on up to eight devices simultaneously. Plus, ExpressVPN’s highly responsive customer support is available around the clock, providing assistance should you encounter any issues during setup or use.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a top-tier alternative for enjoying UK TV in America. And we like that it has a relatively attractive pricing going for it.
There’s also its massive network of servers, with over 9,700 spread across 100 countries. Even more impressive, there are more than 700+ servers in the United Kingdom, effectively cutting down the chances of congestion or sluggish performance.
CyberGhost stands out on this list with its streaming-optimized servers. Dedicated options for BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, and Sky Sports mean you can rely on the provider to consistently access UK TV channels. But streaming platforms are not left out, with dedicated servers for Netflix UK, Amazon Prime Video UK, and more.
They undergo regular testing, too, to ensure you get crystal-clear viewing with little to no buffering. For best performance, you should consider using WireGuard for your TV streaming sessions.
CyberGhost doesn’t compromise when it comes to security and privacy. It employs robust encryption to safeguard your data and online activities from potential threats. What’s more, the provider has a strict no-logs policy and offers DNS and IP leak protection to ensure that your online footprint remains private.
CyberGhost’s user-friendly apps make it easy to set up and start watching UK TV in the US. With one subscription, you can stream content on up to seven devices, including smart TVs and streaming boxes. Should you require assistance or encounter any issues, 24/7 customer support is always available to help.
Can You Use a Free VPN?
Sure, you can. But should you? That’s a different matter altogether. We get the allure of not having to pay for a privacy service with the added benefits of unblocking geo-restricted content. That’s why we compiled a list of the best free VPNs for the United Kingdom.
However, you must consider a few essential points before moving in that direction. To begin with, free providers generally have limited server options in the UK, reducing their chances of unblocking access to TV channels there. Fewer servers also often translate to poor performance due to congestion.
But even if you cross that hurdle, there are others. For instance, while PrivadoVPN may provide access to BBC iPlayer and ITV, you only get 10 GB of data per month. That’s barely enough for several hours of a Peaky Blinders marathon.
In addition, many free VPNs generate revenue by logging and selling user data to third parties, raising concerns about the safety of your personal information. Plus, they may lack the industry-standard privacy and security features premium services offer, potentially leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats.
So, only use free VPN services as a last resort. Otherwise, a cheap VPN service makes a world of difference.
Conclusion
Geo-restrictions may be in the way, but a VPN service provides a reliable way to watch UK TV in the US anyway. All you need is a quality provider with streaming and other essential capabilities, and you’re good to go.
We recommend NordVPN because it fits the bill perfectly. The VPN is great at unblocking TV channels and streaming services and offers blazing-fast speeds and robust security functionality in the bargain. Take advantage of a whooping 65% discount to hop on its two-year plan, and you’ll receive three extra months for free.
