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BBC I Player in the US

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modeller | 22:59 Sat 10th Dec 2011 | Computers
18 Answers
Is it possible to watch BBC TV channels in the US , such as using
BBC iPlayer ? I have seen an ad for Boxee which might be OK but it didn't mention BBC.
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If you have internet access/wifi in the US, I can`t see any reason why you can`t access iplayer. I have done it.
Many of the programs are regionalised .. and there are enough problems with restrictions playing iPlayer already.
Only thing can be done is to try it.
Most BBC channels are restricted to UK IP addresses for copyright reasons.

It is possible to view from abroad by them using a UK proxy address (or VPN) but this is not strictly legal ...
The BBC doesn't hold international broadcasting rights for most of its output, so it's contractually obliged to block access from overseas IP addresses.

You could try connecting via a UK-based proxy server but all of the free ones are far too slow, and the BBC will block access from any commercial proxy server as soon as it's identified.

Chris
should have said 'programmes' not 'channels'
Question Author
Thanks for your suggestions.
Don't know about US. but I am unable to access BBC iPlayer in Germany,so I assume the same restriction applies. I can though watch all BBC channels live and record them.
A lot of people abroad use expat shield to get ITV and BBC players.
http://expatshield.com/

A paid for option is http://www.identitycloaker.com/
Question Author
I don't understand rojash how does either of those sites enable expats to obtain BBC iPlayer in California.
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Khandro I assume you are close enough to pick up our channels direct via satellite( which would exclude the States.) I would have thought iPlayer would also have been available for you the same way. I can't pick up any German channels here in the UK using a standard sky dish but no doubt a bigger one turned to a different satellite might work. I'm not all that bothered for myself but my friends in the US miss watching BBC.
"I don't understand rojash how does either of those sites enable expats to obtain BBC iPlayer in California."

The only reason ExPats can't watch iPlayer (or the ITV equivalent) is that it detects your foreign IP address. If you connect via a proxy server in the UK, that's the address that iPlayer sees so you don't get blocked.

There are two problems with proxies normally:
1) The performance of the server is not adequate for streaming.
2) The Beeb is constantly detecting proxies and blocking them.

By having a specialised network of high-performance proxy servers and connecting to them via a client that runs on your computer, both of these problems can be overcome.

A lot of people here in Greece (and in Spain) use it. It will work for anywhere in the world.

The second one also offer the choice of connecting through a VPN (virtual private network.
Reading your last comment, Modeller, is a bit confusing.
You started off talking about iPlayer (which is delivered over the Internet) and then went on to talk about satellite reception.

Kandro could definitely watch iPlayer using one of the two solutions I provided.
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rojash ##You started off talking about iPlayer (which is delivered over the Internet) and then went on to talk about satellite reception. ##

Yes I know but I was answering Kandros post.

#If you connect via a proxy server in the UK, #
How do you do that ?
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rojash is that what ##http://expatshield.com# does ?
I think rojash explained that at 16.32 sunday?
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No he didn't he listed two sites which I visited and they did not explain how it was done. Maybe I am being thick so maybe you can explain it in a more simplier manner.
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Sorry rojash and zeuhl I am at fault in not going far enough but as I said it does not explain how it does it but rather it requires me to download it first which I am reluctant to do until I have more information . Had I downloaded it
possibly all would have been revealed. I will read a lot more first before downloading as I have had quite a few problems with downloads and upgrades using vista.

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