iPlayer blocking access via VPN

prowla

I am a registered TV licence holder, am resident in the UK, have lived at the same address for decades, and haven't been out of the country for several years.

I have an issue that I use a VPN (which surfaces in the UK), but BBC iPlayer blocks connection via a VPN.

The BBC are therefore blocking my valid use of the paid-for service.

My TV licence renewal is upcoming and I'm debating whether to decline it this time around.

I almost never watch "live" TV and typically record programmes or binge-watch series via streaming, so I may just disconnect my aerial and satellite connections and delete iPlayer.

I've also noticed that I've started watching a lot of movies of late, as a lot of the content is uninteresting.

Before I make my decision, has anybody resolved the VPN issue (excluding disabling the VPN)?

Woodstok2000

I use NordVPN and have no issues with iplayer.

Bear in mind if you are recording 'live' TV you still need a license.

flaneurs_lobster

Before I make my decision, has anybody resolved the VPN issue (excluding disabling the VPN)?

What platform? Which VPN?

Change your VPN?

Working fine here with Nord VPN pointing to UK - in UK on Windows laptop.

oldernonethewiser

Change VPN location.

Change VPN.

Seems like your current VPN IP is in a range being blocked.

flaneurs_lobster

Considered excluding the iPlayer site from the VPN (since you are in the UK)?

oldernonethewiser

Just read an article stating that the BBC blocks most VPNs, but there are still options.

As mentioned Nord VPN being one of them. (I don't use it and don't ever access iPlayer)

MyRealNameToo

ExpressVPN also works fine with iPlayer, occasionally it wont like a single location but they have 1,250 UK endpoints so a quick change has never not solved the problem

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106351#Comment_82106351

Absolutely this, no issues in Spain accessing the iPlayer via a paid Express VPN service last week.

Exodi

Are you buy chance using a free VPN service? They typically have a limited number of servers but a large number of users, meaning they pool their IP's, so you will typically be assigned the same IP addresses as hundreds or thousands of other users at the same time.

Due to the limited number of IP's and the multiple simultaneous usage instances, it's generally very easy for websites to identify free VPN server usage.

As above, change VPN or perhaps more obviously, if you are indeed doing everything by the book, disable the VPN for iPlayer (appreciate you asked for suggestions except that but you must appreciate it is generally quite suspicious on its own for media companies as they're typically used when someone is watching from outside of the UK, or does not have a TV licence for content that requires one).

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680117/iplayer-blocking-access-via-vpn

Surfshark pointing at Manchester works fine with the BBC iPlayer, that said you're not paying to use the iPlayer, you're paying to watch live TV in the UK, that's not the same thing. I suspect that everyone above is correct, you're using a free VPN service which are pretty much useless.

I paid £73.18 in total for Surfshark in November 2024, it doesn't run out until March 2028 so compared to the license cost, it's an absolute bargain.

prowla

Interesting - I am using Nord VPN.