Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Yes and no.
Alternatives are subscription and advertising based revenue models.

The problem with advertising is it drives networks to broadcast whatever is popular/sensational/lowest common denominator. You'll end up with a bunch of reality drama drivel and overly dramatised news output.

With subscription people will pay for BBC output, but I can't see less popular output (stuff that's on BBC 4) being able to justify its production budget.
I agree that the likes of BBC News and BBC Radio 4 etc., would have no problem standing on their own two feet internationally.

I also like the fact that the BBC is subject to Charter and FOIA, is regulated and reports to a Trust.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

And do what? Move to advertising? That'll be the day I stop caring whether I can watch the BBC at all or not.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

I would like access to the other UK TV channels, like ITV and Channel 4. Sometimes I like to watch the local news from where I grew up. Also I miss the good documentaries.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

You can pick up a good amount of ITV / Chan 4 stuff online.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Get yourself a decent smart DNS service, download the respective apps, hook your tablet up to the TV and it'll be like you're back home.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Markonline1, do you know of a good DNS service you could recommend?

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

I use MyExpatNet - small monthly fee, not been blocked yet and happy viewing of BBC, C4, Downton on ITV etc

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

I use UNO Telly. It costs 5 bucks a month, but it's easy to set up. They give you the first month for free, so you can see what you think. I would imagine they are all fairly similar though. Far far more stable than using a VPN service in my experience. I can stream stuff in HD with no buffering issues whatsoever.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

I've found Unotelly increasingly easy to set up. At first it didn't make life easy when I moved location but now a simple visit to the Unotelly website seems to reset the DNS straight away.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Is there an app for Google TV? Does it work well on a tablet? Can you use it with a STB?

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Thank you very much Markonline1, Philk and Kins for the recommendations, it is most appreciated and great news I will be able to watch UK TV when I do arrive. :)

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

I agree. Its somewhat unpalatable that the BBC business model (and other TV entities in the UK) is to focus on exclusion. Politics of envy? or more likely just small minded. The greatest strategic move would be to develop the infrastructure that would allow people to pay for their content. Clearly there is a demand! But no demonstrating the petty mindedness so evident of a bureacrat they focus on exclusion - as someone said 'Whack a Mole'

Its actually laughable if it were not so sad. BBC please join the newspaper, advertising industry and taxi industry members who refuse to be flexible and move with the times. The graveyard is growing.

Re: BBC Will Block VPN Access to iPlayer
 

Just to add a data point, we use Media Hint and have had no issues lately using it to watch live or catch-upon the BBC iPlayer, but we did appear to get geoblocked trying to watch S02E01 of "Catastrophe" on 4OD this evening. We were able to watch it on replay as soon as it became available after the live broadcast though.