michali

A friend of mine can no longer access BBC iPlayer through her VPN. I understand that they have tightened up their access to the service for those living abroad. Knowing how many expats enjoy watching BBC programs, I wonder why they don't offer a subscription service? Does anyone know of a workaround for this latest dilemma, please?

BristolUK

People are still using subscription based vpns. Have a look on the the sub forums for where friend is based.

michali

Will do but she is already using a VPN which gives her a uk IP address but although all other channels still work, BBC iPlayer sees her in the Bahamas which is where she is!

BristolUK

It crops up on the Canada forums, especially so recently, but more people appear to be okay or work around it than those who are negatively affected.

Personally I rely on downloading from other streaming sources.

robin1234

To answer your other question, why don't they offer a subscription service, I think one reason is that they may have licence agreements with broadcasters in foreign countries, who have exclusive rights to BBC programs that they host in those foreign markets.

Perth

Not sure what service they are using but we tried 2 or 3 before we found a reliable service that was able to get around BBC blocks - but not able to access Netfilx UK however. Could be, though, that the BBC has clamped down on that one too Have them give it a go though. There is a free month trial.

https://www.ibvpn.com/

michali

Thanks, I will send her that link! I think though that the BBC have really blocked VPNs. Glad this did not happen while I was abroad! I would have happily paid the TV licence had I been allowed to.

Perth

Agreed! Just think how much money they could have made!

petitefrancaise

To the OP, she may need to clear out cookies from browser settings.

I once went to BBCiplayer site, tried to watch something and got that message telling me Ineeded to be in the UK. I had forgotten to turn on the VPN in the browser. I turned the VPN on and went back to iplayer but got the same message.

Cleared cookies for the last hour and had no problems after that

michali

Thank you. That is interesting! I will check that with her. I do find it strange that, in spite of her having turned on her VPN, BBC iPlayer still saw her as being in the Bahamas.

quiltman

Definitely sounds like she has a cookie that identifies her as being in Bahamas. Clear cookies, switch on VPN then try again. I've had similar problem here - if I forget to switch on HOXX (my free VPN for firefox/Chrome) then iplayer knows i'm not in UK so I clear cookies , close browser, re-open browser, switch on VPN and away we go! I have now set my browser so it does not keep any BBC cookies.
A small point, the iplayer site is changing to a sign in site - you need to register on bbc.co.uk - use your old UK postcode for example - then make sure your VPN is on before accessing it. THe biggest problem is that a lot of the VPN IP addresses are being blocked by lots of sites so you may have to switch servers to find one that works.

michali

Thank you! That is really helpful, quiltman! I will pass on all this information to her. She is actually travelling soon so may have to wait until she returns home.

BristolUK

Over the last couple of months BBC appears to have been recognising me as not being in the UK despite my VPN (Hoxx) being set to UK and ITV apparently still recognising me as UK.

The first time I tried that it worked...or so it seemed because I successfully connected after being denied.
Thereafter it has made no difference. But I've since concluded that it was just coincidence because without even trying to clear cookies, when using Hoxx and iPlayer tells me I'm not in the UK, I just reselect UK in the Hoxx drop down list. As a result of that reselection, the iPlayer page refreshes.

Sometimes it needs more than one refresh but it gets me in. Like using redial on a phone and eventually getting a ring tone instead of engaged.

BristolUK

Between Hoxx, Beebs and streaming I'm good thanks.