How to Watch TVPlayer from Anywhere in the World

Teacher pointing at the TVPlayer site while holding a VPN book in her hands
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How to Watch TVPlayer From Anywhere in the World: A Brief Summary

If you want to watch TVPlayer for free, the process couldn’t be quicker to set up:

  1. Choose a VPN service like ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN offers UK VPN servers and lightning speeds!
  2. Download the VPN client and install it to your device, then create an account.
  3. Sign into the VPN client and choose a UK VPN server.
  4. Start your VPN connection, then open the  TVPlayer website.
  5. Click.”Watch Live” in the top-left corner of your screen.
  6. Now, you can watch TVPlayer for free – though, only the free channels.

For access to premium TVPlayer channels, you’ll need to create a TVPlayer account. You can do so by following the on-screen sign up process after you click the red “Sign up now” button. Just bear in mind that you’ll need a credit or debit card that’s registered to a UK address to complete the process.

For more information on TVPlayer and which VPN to use, check out our full article below!

Launched at the end of 2013, TVPlayer is quite literally a TV player that lets you watch live TV shows from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and other UK-based television networks. You’ll also find channels that aren’t ordinarily available on Freesat or Freeview on the big screen. Normally, TVPlayer is only available in the UK, but if you’re using a VPN to change your IP address, you can watch TVPlayer from anywhere in the world!

In this article, we’ll show you how to use a VPN to watch TVPlayer from outside the UK, from anywhere in the world.

Can You Watch TVPlayer Abroad?

While this streaming service has been around for some time, you still can’t watch TVPlayer from abroad; at least, not without a VPN or a permanent UK address. If you try to connect to the service from outside the UK, you’ll see an error message telling you that you need to be in the United Kingdom. This is due to regional broadcasting rights.

In every country, you’ll find online services or websites that aren’t available to visitors from outside of the region. Since companies are usually only licensed to show certain content within the boundaries of their own country, they’ll use geographical restrictions to lock out foreign visitors. However, there’s nothing overly sophisticated at work here; the website simply looks at your IP address and turns you away if you’re visiting from abroad.

This is great news for you, as it means that you can use a VPN to change your IP address. When you connect to a VPN server in another country, you change your IP address to mirror the IP of the VPN server. With your new identity as a resident of your chosen country, you’ll be able to bypass content blocks. In other words, you can watch TVPlayer from anywhere in the world by using a VPN!

VPNs Offer Freedom and Online Safety

Bypassing content blocks isn’t the only reason to use a VPN. When you hide your IP address, you’re also improving your online security and privacy. Since your IP address is tied to your location – and your identity, in the case of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) – it’s better to cloak it. This way, you’ve got greater protection against hackers, ad trackers, and other nasty online threats. It’s hard to underestimate the advantages of using a VPN.

Think of your IP address as a digital fingerprint. While it won’t necessarily tell your average snoop what your name or date of birth is, it can reveal a lot about you. This is why you’ll probably be used to seeing online adverts for hotels, hookups, and holidays in your area. It’s no coincidence; the websites you’re visiting know where you’re located.

However, when you connect to a VPN, you create a secure tunnel between your computer or mobile device and the internet. From here on out, your data is encrypted, you’ve got greater anonymity, and you’ll enjoy greater online safety and freedom.

Bypass content blocks and enjoy more freedom online

Open cage with Internet icon getting freedAside from the benefits above, there’s another advantage to using a VPN. Changing your IP address will help you to access content abroad, but it can also help you to reclaim your freedom online. For example, in 2020, Statista found China to have the least internet freedom of any country in the world.

This was based on factors that included obstacles to getting online, content limitations, and user rights violations. China is not the only country with fairly strict content restrictions, but there’s good news for internet-restricted citizens of any country. When you change your IP address, you can say goodbye to content blocks and other restrictions. For example, a resident of China can use a US VPN server to watch American Netflix online.

How to Choose a VPN: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are a lot of VPNs out there, including both free VPNs and subscription services. We usually recommend using a subscription-based VPN like ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. Free VPNs can often throttle your speed, log and sell your data, or simply offer very few VPN servers to choose from. If you still want to check out the best free VPNs, you can read our article on the top 6 truly free VPN providers. Otherwise, here’s how to get a VPN so you can start streaming:

  1. Choose a VPN provider like ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
  2. Get a VPN subscription by signing up on the provider’s website.
  3. Install the VPN onto the device that you want to use to watch TVPlayer abroad. Alternatively, download the mobile application to your smartphone or tablet.
  4. Sign in to your new VPN account.
  5. Choose a UK VPN server and start your connection to change your IP address to a UK-based IP.

The above steps should only take a few minutes of your time. Once you’re done, congratulations – you’re now browsing the internet with a United Kingdom IP address. If you want to be sure, check out our “What’s My IP Address” article, which has a handy tool for detecting your browsing location and IP.

How to Watch TVPlayer for Free Online

If you’re reading this, then hopefully you’ve already chosen and downloaded a VPN. Great! Now that you’re up and running, you’ll be able to watch TVPlayer in no time; you don’t even need an account (though you can create one if you want):

  1. Make sure that you’re connected to a UK VPN server.
  2. Head on over to the TVPlayer site.
  3. Next, click.”Watch Live” in the top-left of your screen.
  4. You’ll be directed to the TVPlayer app to watch the free service offered by TVPlayer. There’s a list of free channels a little further down in this article.

If you want access to the full range of channels on TVPlayer, including 10 premium channels, then the process is slightly different:

  1. Click on the big red “Sign up now” button in the top-right corner of the screen.
  2. You can choose a monthly subscription for £6.99 or a yearly option for £69.99 (or equivalent in your currency). The price for a yearly sub is cheaper. Remember, you get a 30-day free trial of TVPlayer, so you can cancel your subscription before the first charge occurs.
  3. Finish the subscription process to watch TVPlayer for free (for up to 30 days) with access to all TVPlayer channels – both free and premium. After that, if you don’t want to be charged, you’ll have to consider closing your account.

Now that you’re connected with a UK-based IP address, you can enjoy all the same content as UK residents. While you’re here, you might also want to check out how to watch BBC iPlayer using a VPN from anywhere in the world.

What Channels are Available on TVPlayer?

If you simply watch TVPlayer for free without creating an account, then you’ll have access to a more limited selection of channels, which are as follows:

  • BBC One
  • BBC Two
  • BBC Four
  • CBeebies
  • CBBC
  • ITV1
  • ITV2
  • ITV3
  • ITV4
  • Be
  • CITV
  • Channel 4
  • 4Seven
  • More 4
  • Film 4
  • Quest
  • Quest Red
  • Really
  • DMAX
  • Food Network
  • HGTV
  • FNTV
  • Cheddar
  • Newsy
  • Law & Crime
  • NHK World
  • France 24
  • TV5Monde

However, if you create a TVPlayer account, then you’ll also have access to a number of “premium” channels too:

  • Lifetime
  • TLC
  • History
  • Sky History and Sky History 2
  • Crime & Investigation
  • Discovery
  • Investigation Discovery
  • The Travel Channel
  • Discovery Home & Health
  • Unbeaten

Which Countries Have Access to TVPlayer?

Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services, TVPlayer is not available outside the UK. If you want to watch TVPlayer in Europe or any other region, you’ll need to use a VPN. The only exception is if you’re a UK resident with an existing subscription, and you’re temporarily in the EU. Geographical restrictions are used to exclude foreign visitors to the website, and they’re enforced by checking the IP address of the device that you’re using. But if you use a VPN to change your IP address, then you can stream TVPlayer from any other country in which a VPN is available.

Why can’t I watch TVPlayer from Europe or the U.S.?

TVPlayer is a streaming service that deals exclusively in live  TV channels from the UK. Since UK television broadcasters own the rights to these services, access is restricted outside of the country. They simply don’t have permission to show the content from these channels to viewers in other countries. While streaming providers and television networks don’t want you to bypass their restrictions, a VPN is a fairly foolproof way to get around content blocks. In most countries, VPNs are legal, and you won’t be breaking any laws. The worst thing that may happen is that you could find your streaming account banned. Just be sure to check the laws in your own country before pulling the trigger.

Is there a TVPlayer App?

There are indeed TVPlayer apps (or TV player apps) so that you can take your TV on demand with you and not miss out on your favorite show. You’ll find the TVPlayer app in all the usual places, with compatibility for different operating systems, including the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and even the Amazon Appstore.

Best VPNs for TVPlayer

Now, we’re going to look at the best VPNs for TVPlayer. Not all VPNs are created equal: some are faster and more reliable, some have more VPN servers, and others offer servers in a greater range of countries. Below, we’ve picked out the top 3 VPNs for TVPlayer and linked reviews to some of our favorite VPNs.

1. ExpressVPN: Lightning-fast streaming speeds

ExpressVPN Review Homepage Website

While some streaming services have started to block VPNs, you can watch NetflixTVPlayerPrime, and more with ExpressVPN. Finding UK VPN servers is easy thanks to its network of servers in almost 100 countries worldwide too. We’ve always found ExpressVPN’s reliability and speed to be among the best of the premium VPN providers, which is why we recommend them so readily.

What’s more, ExpressVPN is among the few providers that offer a truly no-logging policy, which means your browsing data won’t be stored. You’re using a VPN for anonymity, so this is a must. For more information about ExpressVPN, check out our full review of this VPN provider. Alternatively, use the link below to go straight to their website!

ExpressVPN
Deal:
Great discount on annual subscription + 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$6.67
8.9
  • Very easy to use VPN
  • Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e. Netflix)
  • 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Visit ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: A cheaper option for UK VPN servers

Surfshark VPN homepage horizontal screenshot with logo

Surfshark is another of our top VPN providers, as their service is comparable to the more expensive, premium services, yet they’re cheaper. Again, this VPN has a strict no-logging policy and thousands of server locations to choose from. If you want to get the whole family using a VPN, then this is your go-to VPN. You can connect unlimited devices simultaneously under a single subscription.

Of course, Surfshark has VPN servers in the United Kingdom, so you’ll be able to get a UK IP address and watch TVPlayer from abroad. You can find out more specs in our full review of Surfshark or visit their website with the banner displayed below.

Surfshark
Deal:
Safe and anonymous internet for only $2.30a month
From
$2.30
9.0
  • Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
  • 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
  • Cheap with many extra options
Visit Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Fast, reliable, and user-friendly

NordVPN 2021 website screenshot

Sitting alongside ExpressVPN, NordVPN is one of the biggest and fastest VPN services available right now. You get a little less choice in terms of server location, with around 60 countries offered. However, there are more than 5,000 VPN servers and their speeds are some of the best out there. It’s also super-secure, with 256-bit AES encryption.

You can connect multiple devices under one subscription, and their user app is newbie-friendly. Again, there are VPN servers in the United Kingdom, so you’ll be able to create a TVPlayer account or watch the free channels right away. Our full review of NordVPN has more information, and there’s a link to their website below with more details.

NordVPN
Our pick
Our pick
Deal:
Only $3.29 a month for a two-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$3.29
9.3
  • Excellent protection and a large network of servers
  • Nice and pleasing application
  • No logs
Visit NordVPN

Still Having Trouble Watching TVPlayer from Abroad?

Occasionally, you might find yourself unable to watch TVPlayer, even after you’ve downloaded a VPN and started your connection. For example, if you visit BBC iPlayer from your native country before starting your VPN connection, you’ll likely still be blocked when using a VPN. Don’t worry; you should be good to go after following the advice below:

  • Clear your cache or open a new browser window in private or incognito browsing mode. If you tried to watch TVPlayer from abroad without a VPN, your browser might have stored cookies from the website. In this case, you might see an error message. The simplest solution is to start a private browsing window, as this mode doesn’t remember or use any cookies.
  • Connect to a different VPN server. Some streaming services are fighting back against VPNs. For example, Netflix has started to block many VPNs, as they have put smarter software in place to detect IP addresses that display certain behaviors synonymous with VPN connections (for example, numerous connections from one IP). If you’re having trouble and private browsing didn’t work, try a different VPN server.

Final Thoughts

If you want to watch TVPlayer from anywhere, then you’ll need a UK-based IP address. Getting a UK IP is simple and only takes a few minutes. You’ll just need to find a VPN provider that offers VPN servers in the United Kingdom, create an account, find a VPN server, and connect. You can watch TVPlayer for free, with access to all premium channels, by creating an account and using the free trial. Alternatively, you can watch all of the free channels without signing in.

How to Watch TVPlayer from Anywhere in the World: Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions about how to watch TVPlayer from outside of the UK, check out our frequently asked questions below. Simply click on one of the questions to see our answer.

Since TVPlayer only holds a license to show content within the United Kingdom, they block visitors from overseas. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t watch TVPlayer from outside the UK. If you’re a UK resident who is temporarily abroad, and you have a paid subscription, you can still access it from anywhere in the EU. For anyone else, you’ll need to use a VPN to watch TVPlayer:

  1. Choose a VPN like ExpressVPN.
  2. Download and install the VPN, then create an account.
  3. Look for a UK VPN server and connect.
  4. Now, you can watch TVPlayer from anywhere you like!

There are two versions of TVPlayer; one is free, while the other requires a subscription. With the free tier, you get access to more than 25 popular channels. A TVPlayer subscription gets you an additional 10 channels. However, you can watch premium TVPlayer for free for 30 days thanks to the 30-day free trial. Just remember to cancel your account if you want to avoid being charged.

There’s only one subscription tier for TVPlayer, which is £6.99 a month. However, you can save £13.98 on a yearly subscription by opting for the single, yearly payment of £69.99. That said, you might struggle to subscribe to TVPlayer from abroad. The only payment methods accepted right now are VISA debit or credit cards and MasterCard. The service checks the address to which your card is registered, so you won’t be able to sign up for a premium subscription without a UK credit card.

If you don’t have a TVPlayer subscription, then you’ll have access to 28 channels. With a premium subscription, you get access to an additional 10 channels on TVPlayer. For a full list of channels, check out the list in our full article.

Cybersecurity journalist
Chris is a tech journalist with many years' experience covering the latest news in online privacy and cybersecurity. He's also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.