When the BBC iPlayer is not available in Ireland, here’s how to view it from anywhere else.
Residents of the Republic of Ireland have been able to watch live BBC television for more than seven decades, initially by picking up terrestrial signals that spilled over from Northern Ireland and Wales, and later by being covered by the Irish television license.
For British tourists visiting Ireland, however, watching BBC iPlayer is an entirely different story. While there, they will discover that their favorite shows such as Peaky Blinders, Killing Eve, and brand-new comedies such as The Witchfinder are completely unavailable to watch….
It is our goal to walk you through the process of watching BBC iPlayer in Ireland. We will also share information on how to get access to the BBC’s flagship shows if you are a permanent Irish resident in this article.
how to access the BBC iPlayer in Ireland
If you live in the United Kingdom, it’s as simple as going to the BBC iPlayer website, signing up for a free account, selecting what you want to watch, and pressing play. Those in Ireland, on the other hand, will be denied admission.
Fortunately, there is a quick and simple solution to this problem in the form of the best VPN.
Once you’ve set up your BBC iPlayer VPN, all you have to do is connect to a UK VPN server and then navigate to the BBC iPlayer website as if you were in your home country of origin, the United Kingdom. iPlayer will believe you are in the correct location, and you will have unlimited access to any and all of the shows you enjoy for free.
Keep in mind that in order to access BBC iPlayer, you must also be a paying member of the United Kingdom television license system. It is not possible to gain access without this.
Which virtual private network (VPN) is the best for watching BBC iPlayer in Ireland?
ExpressVPN is the most dependable virtual private network (VPN).
ExpressVPN is the best dependable VPN service for watching UK television from overseas. In our tests, it gave complete support for the iPlayer, as well as the ITV Hub, All 4 and My5, Now, Sky Go, and BT TV, among other services. In addition to having great privacy features to support this, it is our top-rated VPN overall, and Tom’s Guide readers can get three months free on any 12-month service with this provider. In addition, the business offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out risk-free.
Step-by-step instructions for using iPlayer in Ireland
- Sign up for a VPN service of your choice (we recommend ExpressVPN) and download and install it on your device.
- Open the VPN application and connect to a server in the United Kingdom.
- To access BBC iPlayer, open your browser and navigate to the BBC iPlayer website.
- Choose a television show to watch.
Enjoy!
(L-R) The key art for Killing Eve Season 4 features Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri and Jodie Comer as Villanelle. Photo courtesy of the show’s official website.
Is it necessary to have a TV license in order to watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland?
To summarize, the answer is yes.
BBC iPlayer is funded by fees paid by citizens of the United Kingdom for their television licenses, and the rules stipulate that only those who contribute are allowed to watch. This can be frustrating for British citizens living abroad, because even if they pay their licence fee, their access to BBC iPlayer will be denied. In this situation, using a streaming VPN to access the iPlayer in Ireland is the ideal solution to watch the program.
Access to BBC iPlayer, on the other hand, is restricted to Irish citizens who do not have a valid UK television license. Fortunately, there are a variety of other options for gaining access to BBC content on the internet.
how to watch BBC shows in Ireland without having to use the iPlayer
When it comes to watching BBC television shows, Irish residents are not completely cut off from the rest of the world. Of course, live television has never been a problem – Irish citizens have had access to it for many years – but a subscription is required for catch-up television programming.
Sky TV
The most convenient way for Irish citizens to watch BBC shows on demand is through Sky TV, which is available nationwide.
Sky Sports, which broadcasts Premier League, Formula One, golf, cricket, rugby and the National Football League among other events, is included in this excellent package, which starts at €30 per month and is good value for money.
Most notable is the Sky Go streaming service, which provides access to BBC and other British shows, as well as apps for a wide range of devices, including iPhones and iPads, Android devices, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Fire TV Sticks, and other similar devices.
Furthermore, if you ever travel outside of the country, you can use it in conjunction with ExpressVPN to gain access to the content you have paid for anywhere in the world.
How to watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland on a Fire Stick (with instructions)
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is the ideal streaming device for traveling because of its portability factor – all you need is a power outlet and an HDMI socket to use it.
One of the Fire Stick’s most compelling features for travelers, however, is its compatibility with virtual private networks (VPNs), which allows you to stream BBC iPlayer on a large screen from virtually anywhere – and the process is surprisingly simple. Check out our article on Fire Stick VPN services for a comprehensive list of available options.
To get started, simply follow the straightforward steps outlined below:
- Subscribe to a virtual private network (VPN) – we recommend ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN client software on your Fire Stick. You’ll find this on the Amazon App Store for all of the major service providers.
- Open the app and select a server in the United Kingdom.
- Open the BBC iPlayer app and choose a show to watch from the selection.
- Enjoy!
Is it legal to watch the BBC iPlayer in Ireland?
Again, if you’re a UK TV license holder, using a VPN to access the BBC iPlayer in Ireland is completely legal and acceptable practice. You will, however, be in violation of this restriction if you use iPlayer (whether from within or outside the United Kingdom) without a valid TV license.
While a TV licence is required to view anything on the BBC iPlayer, it is important to note that you do not require a TV licence to watch UK television overseas on the websites of other networks such as ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5.