Kristel van Hoof
Updated on: November 18, 2023
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Stream UK TV Online With a VPN in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a reliable VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it offers multiple server locations in the UK, works with popular UK streaming platforms, and has superfast speeds.
- Step 2: Choose a server. Open the app and connect to a server in the UK. This could hypothetically allow you to watch UK TV from countries where it isn’t normally available. However, please note that this may constitute copyright infringement and could violate the Terms of Service of the streaming service you’re using.
- Step 3: Start watching UK TV. Log into your favorite UK streaming platform, search for the show you want to watch, and start binging.
UK TV shows aren’t available worldwide. This is because the licensing agreements of most British streaming services prevent their content from being shown outside the UK. UK streaming platforms use your IP address to determine your location and block you if you’re not in the UK.
In theory, you could use a virtual private network (VPN) to change your IP address. When you connect to a VPN server, it hides your actual location and assigns you an IP address that matches the location of the VPN server you’re connected to. Hypothetically speaking, this makes it possible to stream UK TV shows from abroad. But this is against most streaming services’ Term of Service and may even be regarded as copyright infringement (so it’s not something that I or anyone else at SafetyDetectives condones).
There are a few good options if you want to watch UK TV with a VPN. Of the bunch, ExpressVPN is my favorite — it’s the fastest VPN on the market, and my colleagues in the UK tested it and confirmed it works with many UK TV sites. But all of the VPNs I mention below work with major UK streaming platforms and provide good speeds for a smooth streaming experience.
Best VPNs for Watching UK TV in 2024
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for streaming UK TV.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Fast speeds for streaming UK TV.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Streaming-optimized servers for UK platforms.
- 4. NordVPN — Great security features for streaming UK TV safely.
- 5. Surfshark — Good VPN for watching UK TV on Android and iOS.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs for streaming UK TV.
Neither I nor my colleagues at SafetyDetectives condone the use of a VPN to break a streaming platform’s Terms of Service or to commit copyright infringement. Each VPN below has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t record your streaming activities. Please be responsible for how you choose to use a VPN.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Watching UK TV in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for watching UK TV. My colleagues in the UK tested it and confirmed it works with many UK streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, Netflix UK, Now TV, and Sky Go, all without any problems. And with 5 server locations in the UK, it is always easy to connect to a nearby server.
When it comes to streaming, ExpressVPN is simply the best out there. It works with 100+ streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
Every VPN reduces connection speeds somewhat, but ExpressVPN’s speeds are so fast that it’s possible to stream in Ultra HD without a noticeable slowdown. When I tested my internet speeds on local ExpressVPN servers, it was about the same as if I wasn’t connected to a VPN — this is why it’s ranked the fastest VPN on the market.
ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and even routers. The apps are easy to navigate, and you can add servers to your favorites for quick access.
The VPN takes your privacy seriously. Both its no-logs policy, which is independently audited and verified, and its use of RAM-only servers, which wipe your data with every reboot, ensure that ExpressVPN can’t share your data with anyone. Moreover, its IP/DNS leak protection helps prevent streaming services from learning your IP address. I ran more than 10 tests and didn’t find any leaks.
ExpressVPN offers plans that start at $6.67 / month. All of ExpressVPN’s plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can test it risk-free.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Fast Speeds for Streaming UK TV Without Slowdowns
Private Internet Access (PIA) has superfast speeds that allow you to stream UK TV in HD. My colleagues in the UK tested it with UK streaming sites and confirmed they had virtually no delays when watching content on these platforms. Although the speeds aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, they’re still fast enough to stream HD content without buffering.
The VPN offers 3 server locations in the UK. My colleagues in the UK confirmed they worked with Channel 4, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Netflix UK, Now TV, Sky Go, and other UK streaming platforms.
PIA has an intuitive interface. I particularly liked that I could see the latency — the time it takes for your data to travel from origin to destination — of each server so I could pick the fastest one for streaming.
It offers native apps for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and more. It also comes with smart DNS so you can stream on devices that normally don’t support VPNs, like gaming consoles.
PIA’s no-logs policy is verified and independently audited, which means you can be confident that your data won’t be turned over to third parties. In addition, the VPN offers IP/DNS leak protection — I tested 5 of its servers and didn’t find any leaks. It also has open-source apps, which allow anyone to inspect them for security vulnerabilities.
Private Internet Access offers cheap plans that start as low as $2.11 / month. With its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test PIA risk-free.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Watch UK TV Instantly
CyberGhost VPN offers servers that are optimized to stream UK content, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix UK, Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, and more. My colleagues in the UK tested all of them and said they worked well with every platform.
CyberGhost offers pretty fast speeds that allow you to stream in HD with only minimal delays. In my tests, it only took 1–2 seconds for HD videos to load, and I never experienced any buffering once they started playing. However, CyberGhost’s speeds aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access.
CyberGhost offers easy-to-use apps that are compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and more. To connect to a server in the UK, all you have to do is type “UK” in the search bar, and it’ll automatically show the optimized servers for UK streaming platforms.
It also has advanced security features to protect your data when streaming UK TV. These include RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, an audited no-logs policy, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection.
CyberGhost offers very budget-friendly prices starting at $2.03 / month. These plans are all backed by a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Advanced Security Features to Stream UK TV Safely
NordVPN offers multiple security features that keep you safe while streaming UK TV. I particularly liked its Threat Protection feature, which gets rid of malicious ads, blocks connections to shady sites, and protects your device from malware-infected downloads. Next to that, it has IP/DNS leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy.
The provider is also great for streaming UK TV — my colleagues in the UK confirmed that all 4 UK locations (Edinburgh, London, Manchester, and Glasgow) work with multiple popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Channel 4, ITV, Netflix UK, and Now TV.
NordVPN’s speeds are fast enough for streaming in HD. I was able to stream my favorite shows without long video load times or any annoying buffering.
It has easy-to-use apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and more. It only took me 3 minutes to download and install the app on my device. Plus, NordVPN didn’t require any special setup because everything is ready for you to use.
NordVPN’s plans start at $3.39 / month. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Good VPN for Streaming UK TV on Mobile
Surfshark is a good VPN for users looking to stream UK TV on the go. It has very intuitive apps for Android and iOS devices that allow you to connect to a UK server in seconds. I especially like how the app lets you connect to the fastest UK server for you with 1 click and that it lists the last 3 servers you connected to for convenience.
The VPN has great streaming support. My colleagues in the UK tested all 4 of its UK server locations and said it always worked with most popular UK streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, Netflix UK, Now TV, and Sky Go.
Surfshark has fast connections on most servers, but I did experience significant slowdowns on very distant servers. ExpressVPN is a much better choice if you regularly connect to long-distance servers.
Surfshark is super affordable with plans starting at $1.99 / month. They are all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Streaming UK TV in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching UK TV in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works reliably with UK streaming services. The VPN should work with streaming services that show UK TV 100% of the time. My colleagues in the UK tested all the VPNs on this list several times during the day and never had any trouble watching their favorite UK TV shows.
- Assess speeds. Connection speeds should be fast enough that you don’t notice significant buffering or lag times. ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds on the market.
- Opt for a VPN with user-friendly apps. It’s important that the VPN offers a native app for your device. I ensured that all VPNs on this list have a wide range of compatibility, and some, like ExpressVPN, even work with smart TVs and routers.
- Get a VPN with strong security. A VPN should keep your online information safe while watching UK TV. All VPNs listed here come with industry-standard VPN security features like AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection ever drops.
How to Watch UK TV on Any Device
How to Watch UK TV on Your PC or Mac Device
- Choose a VPN that works with UK streaming platforms. Get a VPN that’s proven to work with UK streaming services. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has multiple server locations in the UK and has superfast speeds.
- Download and install the VPN app. Follow the installation wizard instructions. This whole process only takes a few minutes.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a UK server. This allows you to stream UK TV content securely. Note that watching UK TV content from outside the UK by connecting to a UK server might breach the terms of service of many streaming platforms and could be viewed as a copyright infringement.
How to Watch UK TV on Your Smartphone or Tablet
- Choose a VPN that works with UK TV on Android or iOS. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has user-friendly Android and iOS apps.
- Download and install the VPN app. Follow the step-by-step setup process.
- Open the app, select a server, and start streaming. Now you can watch your favorite UK shows on your smartphone or tablet.
How to Watch UK TV on Your Smart TV
- Choose a reliable VPN for streaming UK TV. ExpressVPN is my #1 choice because it is easy to set up on smart TVs and Android TVs.
- On Android TVs. Download and install the VPN app from the Google Play Store.
- On non-Android TVs. Use ExpressVPN’s step-by-step guides to configure the VPN on your router. This will allow you to connect the VPN to your smart TV.
- Open your UK streaming service of choice on your smart TV. Now you can start watching your favorite UK shows on the big screen.
How to Watch UK TV on Your Gaming Console
- Choose a VPN that works on routers. I prefer using ExpressVPN because it’s easy to install on routers.
- Set up the VPN on your router. Once you connect to a server, your gaming console will be automatically connected to the VPN using your wifi network.
- Start streaming UK TV on your gaming console. Now you’re ready to binge-watch your favorite UK shows on your Xbox or PlayStation.
How to Watch UK TV using Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Get a VPN that works with UK streaming platforms. I recommend ExpressVPN for Amazon Fire TV Stick.
- Download and install the app on your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV. Follow the installation instructions.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a UK server. You can now watch UK TV on your Amazon Fire Stick. Please note that connecting to a UK server to watch UK TV content from outside the UK is against most streaming services’ Terms of Service and can be seen as copyright infringement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free VPN to watch UK TV?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s better to use a low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee. Free VPNs often come with small, overcrowded server networks; slow speeds; and annoying data caps. Lastly, free VPNs can be risky to use because they might log and sell your data to third parties.
Can I watch UK TV without a TV license?
That depends on the platform. You can watch on-demand content on ITV, NOW TV, Sky GO, All 4, and Channel 4 without a license. However, you do need a license to stream all content on BBC iPlayer, and for streaming live content on all the other platforms. TV license or not, you can, in theory, watch UK TV from outside of the UK by connecting to a VPN, but keep in mind this is against most streaming sites’ Terms of Service and can constitute copyright infringement.
What should I do if I can’t stream UK TV with a VPN?
To watch UK TV using a VPN, it’s best to get a premium VPN. During tests, my UK-based colleague found that ExpressVPN worked with UK platforms hassle-free every time. If UK TV streaming services are blocking your VPN IP address, however, you can try switching servers, clearing your browser history and cookies, using another browser, or using incognito mode.
Can I watch UK TV with a VPN?
Yes, you can use a VPN for better privacy and security when streaming UK TV. However, if you use a VPN to stream UK TV from outside of the UK, this would most likely break your streaming platform’s Terms of Service and may even be regarded as copyright infringement (which neither I nor my colleagues at SafetyDetectives condone). Additionally, there are a few countries where VPNs are banned or restricted, such as Iraq and China, so always check local rules and regulations before using a VPN.
