BBC Iplayer VPN Detection Full Guide

Media streaming websites like BBC iPlayer are a boon to the entertainment industry.

However, many people try to access these websites from locations that are not allowed to do so.

If you’re one of them, then you might be familiar with the VPN detection feature.

The VPN detection feature is used by streaming websites to block users from accessing their services from particular locations. The process of blocking VPN users is known as VPN blocking.

What Is BBC Iphoner?

BBC iPlayer is the BBC’s online streaming service. The service is available to UK residents only.

You don’t need an account to use the service. However, you’ll need to sign in via a TV or personal computer. Because BBC iPlayer is a streaming site, you’ll need an internet connection.

BBC iPlayer offers live and on-demand TV and radio content. You can access content on iPlayer’s website, desktop, or mobile versions. BBC iPlayer has a limited selection of shows.

For UK residents, BBC iPlayer offers access to several shows from the BBC’s popular shows. Most users access BBC iPlayer to watch Doctor Who.

Why Use a VPN for BBC Iplayer?

There are many ways that BBC iPlayer detects VPN use. Some common ones are:

Many VPN providers offer dedicated BBC servers. Other VPNs, however, don’t guarantee BBC access.

These addresses change on a regular basis, so the BBC can’t detect them.

Some VPNs have strict logging practices. BBC can use these records to identify VPN users.

Some VPNs use IPv6 tunnels. BBC can detect IPv6 traffic easily.

How Does BBC Detect VPN Use?

The BBC makes no secret of the fact that it uses VPNs to detect users who are using them to illegally access its content.

The BBC’s “Technical FAQs” page states that the BBC detects VPNs via “ping tests” that the BBC carries out on users’ networks.

While the BBC uses VPNs to identify VPN users, the BBC does not explicitly say how or where the BBC carries out these tests.

The BBC states that where it has a “reasonable suspicion” of “unauthorised use”, the BBC may “request you to provide further authentication”.

The BBC also states that:

• VPNs encrypt your traffic, so the BBC can’t identify you.
• The VPN provider encrypts your traffic, so the BBC can’t identify you.
• The VPN provider encrypts your traffic, but the BBC can in some cases identify you.
• The VPN provider doesn’t encrypt your traffic, so the BBC can in some cases identify you.

Best VPNS for Unblocking BBC Iplayer

BBC iPlayer may not be available in all countries. However, there are a few VPNs that unblock BBC iPlayer services, allowing you to stream your favorite shows from anywhere in the world.

ExpressVPN is our top recommendation for accessing BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market and allows you to connect to 30 servers in the UK, 20 servers in Ireland, 15 servers in France, and 13 servers in the US.

ExpressVPN is also one of the quickest services to secure, offering no connection time required when you launch the app. It only takes a few seconds.

ExpressVPN’s SmartPlay feature lets you stream BBC iPlayer content from any device. The service also keeps no logs of its users saves all your data on their servers.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

NordVPN is another VPN that unblocks BBC iPlayer services. NordVPN allows you to choose from 5 servers in the UK, 4 servers in Ireland, 2 servers in France, and 1 server in the US.

NordVPN also allows you to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously to their servers.

The VPN offers strong encryption, allowing you to stream content without compromising your data.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Tips for Avoiding VPN Detection

There are a number of steps you can take to avoid being detected as using a VPN, including using an alternative DNS service, and choosing servers in the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, or the US.

It’s particularly important to use a different DNS service than the one provided by your internet provider.

It’s also worth noting that the BBC iPlayer app for iOS and BBC iPlayer on Android both allow you to choose where you would like to access the service. Choosing the “United Kingdom” or “Canada” option will both ensure that the BBC iPlayer app uses servers in those locations.

ALTERNATIVES TO VPNs FOR ACCESSING BBC IPLAYER

If you’re looking for a way to stream BBC iPlayer without using a VPN, there are a couple of ways you can try.

First, BBC iPlayer offers its own streaming service. It’s free, but not many viewers use it.

On the other hand, you can bypass BBC iPlayer’s VPN detection by using its on-demand service. This is not a free option. However, you can sign up to watch shows without a VPN.

The BBC also offers BBC iPlayer Radio, which is similar to Spotify.

You can stream live radio and on-demand content through the app.

The BBC offers other streaming services as well. You could stream BBC Parliament, PBS, or ITV.

However, keep in mind that the on-demand service is only compatible with Windows 10.

FAQ

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