Unlocking Bbc: A Guide To Viewing From Austria

If you're in Austria and want to watch the BBC, you'll need to get around the fact that the BBC iPlayer is blocked outside the UK. The best way to do this is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will allow you to watch the BBC from anywhere in the world by making it appear as though you're located in the UK.

There are many VPNs to choose from, including NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.

Using a VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is an app that routes your internet connection through a server in the location of your choosing before it goes to the website or service you want to use. In this case, that location needs to be in the UK, and the service is BBC iPlayer. Using a VPN means your real location is hidden from the BBC, which sees that it is streaming to a viewer in the UK.

It is important to note that streaming services, including the BBC, work hard to block VPNs. This is because the BBC does not want people watching outside of the UK. This is why VPN services are always working to find ways around these blocks.

Not all VPNs will unblock iPlayer, so it is a good idea to use one with a good track record of being able to do so. NordVPN and Surfshark are two examples of VPNs that have been known to unblock iPlayer.

To watch BBC iPlayer in Austria, you will need to install a VPN on your device (this could be a TV, Firestick, phone, laptop, tablet, Mac, or PC). Then, you will need to connect to a UK server. You may need to choose a specific server from the list that is optimised for iPlayer.

Once connected, open the iPlayer app or website, sign in, and you can watch shows as if you were in the UK.

It is worth noting that this method breaks the terms and conditions of BBC iPlayer, so you proceed at your own risk. While you are unlikely to get your account suspended, it is a possibility.

One added benefit of using a VPN is that your data becomes encrypted. This is especially important if you are connected to public WiFi, as these types of networks are prone to attacks by identity thieves.

Using a Smart DNS service

Smart DNS is a great way to unblock BBC iPlayer in Austria and stream content with no problems. It is a sophisticated technology that allows internet users to unblock geo-blocked websites. It does this by re-routing specific information relating to your geographical location, unlike a VPN which needs to re-route all of your internet data. This means you can access geo-blocked content without losing internet speed.

Smart DNS is very easy to use and install on all of your devices. It works by changing the DNS of your device when trying to access regional-blocked content. Your data is then quickly re-routed through a dedicated proxy server located in the country where viewing is permitted. This means you will appear to be located in the country or region where viewing is allowed.

Smart DNS has some disadvantages. It does not offer the same level of online anonymity as a VPN, as it does not change your local IP address. Additionally, if your ISP deploys DNS hijacking or transparent proxies, Smart DNS won't work.

If you want to use Smart DNS to watch BBC iPlayer in Austria, you will need to follow these steps:

• Sign up for a Smart DNS service that unblocks BBC iPlayer. Examples include Aeroshield, VPN Privacy, ExpressVPN, and Unlocator.
• Install the software on your device.
• Connect to a UK server.
• Sign up or log in to BBC iPlayer.
• Start streaming!

Downloading programmes while in the UK

If you're in the UK and want to watch BBC programmes while abroad, you can download programmes on BBC iPlayer to watch offline anywhere in the world. Here's how to do it:

First, you'll need to sign up for a BBC iPlayer account. To do this, you'll need a UK address and a valid UK postcode. You'll also need to be a UK TV Licence holder and pay the licence fee.

Once you've signed up and paid, you can download shows to watch offline on your mobile or tablet using the BBC iPlayer app. Simply find the programme you want to watch and tap the download icon. You can then watch it anywhere, even outside the UK.

Keep in mind that you can only download programmes within the UK, so make sure you do this before you go abroad. Additionally, some content may not be available to download or may have expired from your downloads.

Using the BBC Three YouTube channel

If you're in Austria and want to watch BBC content, one option is to use the BBC Three YouTube channel. This is one of the few BBC services available outside the UK. However, it's important to note that some content may not be available in your region.

To access the BBC Three YouTube channel, simply open the YouTube application or website and search for "BBC Three." You can then browse the available videos and watch them from anywhere in the world.

Using YouTube is a straightforward way to access BBC content in Austria, but it may not provide the same breadth of content as other methods. The BBC Three channel primarily features short-form content, including clips and highlights from various BBC shows. If you're looking for full episodes or live TV, you'll need to explore additional options, such as using a VPN to access BBC iPlayer.

• Open the YouTube application or website: If you don't have the YouTube app installed on your device, you can access it through a web browser. Simply visit www.youtube.com.
• Search for "BBC Three": In the search bar, type "BBC Three" and press enter or click the search icon. The search results will display the official BBC Three channel, as well as any related videos or playlists.
• Browse and watch videos: From the BBC Three channel page, you can explore the different categories and playlists to find content that interests you. Click on a video thumbnail to start watching. You can also use the search bar on the channel page to look for specific shows or topics.
• Customize your viewing experience: YouTube offers several features to enhance your viewing experience. You can adjust the video quality, enable captions, and create playlists to organize your favourite videos. Additionally, you can like and comment on videos, as well as subscribe to the channel to stay updated with new uploads.
• Explore related content: The BBC also has other YouTube channels, such as "BBC" and "BBC Earth," which offer a variety of content, including trailers, clips, and exclusive digital content. You can explore these channels to discover more of the BBC's offerings on YouTube.

While the BBC Three YouTube channel provides a legal and accessible way to watch BBC content in Austria, it may not satisfy viewers looking for a comprehensive BBC experience. For a wider range of shows and live TV access, it may be necessary to explore alternative methods, such as using a VPN to access BBC iPlayer, which offers a full suite of BBC channels and on-demand content.

Using a free trial of NordVPN

NordVPN is a highly recommended VPN service that allows you to watch BBC iPlayer securely from Austria. It has a vast network of servers, including over 30 in Austria and more than 5,400 across almost 60 countries.

To watch BBC iPlayer in Austria using NordVPN's free trial, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign up for the free trial

Go to the NordVPN website and sign up for the free trial. You don't need to enter any payment details, and you can use the VPN rated #1 for BBC iPlayer without restriction for a month.

Step 2: Download and install the NordVPN app

Download and install the NordVPN app on your device. NordVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. If you're using a phone or tablet, head to your device's app store, search for NordVPN, and install it. For Windows, log into your NordVPN account in a web browser, go to the Downloads section, and click "Download app" next to "Get NordVPN for Windows." Run the downloaded file to install it.

Step 3: Connect to a UK server

Launch the NordVPN app and sign in using your account credentials. To watch BBC iPlayer, you'll need to connect to a UK server. You can do this by either using the list of locations (the word icon at the top left) or scrolling the map to the UK and tapping "Connect to London." If prompted, allow NordVPN to set up a VPN connection. You might need to enter your device password or passcode.

Step 4: Wait for the VPN to connect

You should see a message indicating that the VPN is connected. Look for a green "CONNECTED" status and a padlock symbol above "United Kingdom."

Step 5: Open the BBC iPlayer app or website

Now that you're connected to a UK server, open the BBC iPlayer app or website. You will need to sign in with your BBC account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free, but you'll need to provide a UK postcode (and be over 13 years old).

Step 6: Start watching!

Once you're signed in, you can enjoy your favorite BBC shows as if you were in the UK!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then refresh the page. You can also try connecting to a different UK server or contacting NordVPN's customer support for further assistance.

Remember that using a VPN to access region-locked content may violate the terms and conditions of the streaming platform. Proceed at your own risk.

Frequently asked questions