How to Watch SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK
Looking for a way to watch SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK?
SBS On Demand is an Australian online streaming platform that offers free and unlimited access to a diverse range of multicultural content, including TV shows, movies, live sports, and food channels.
To watch your preferred content on Roku, you need to add the SBS on Demand channel from the Roku Channel Store.
However, if you’re located in the UK and eager to enjoy SBS on Demand’s shows and movies on your Roku device, it can be a bit tricky.
This is because setting up SBS on Demand on Roku involves a different process compared to Android and iOS, as it doesn’t provide native VPN support.
But don’t worry; In this blog, I’ll guide you through the steps to easily download and watch SBS on Demand on Roku, even if you’re not within Australia.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Watch SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK?
To watch SBS on Demand in the UK on Roku, you need the following things:
- A reliable VPN that supports Roku
- American Roku account
- Set Up VPN on Roku to Watch SBS on Demand
To identify the best VPN for SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK, I tested the top VPNs suggested by the most reliable sources, including TechRadar, TechCrunch, Tom’s Guide, Comparitech, and PCMag. Because of its great support for Roku devices through virtual router setup, or direct router setup, I believe ExpressVPN to be the best among all after testing.
Once you subscribe to a VPN, it’s time to create an Australian Roku account.
How to Set Up an Australian Roku Account in the UK?
Here’s how you can set up a Australian Roku Account in the UK:
- Install a VPN app on your desktop or laptop, then connect to an Australian server ( I recommend ExpressVPN).
- Make sure your location is off.
- Go to https://my.roku.com/index in your browser and select “Create account.”
- Enter the required information and press “Continue.”
- Go ahead and choose your preferred payment method (such as PayPal or a credit card) and then click “Continue.”
- You will be prompted to input an Australian zip code on the page. You can always look up Australian zip codes that resemble 90001, 02110, and 43003 online.
- Congratulations, your Australian Roku account is set up now.
- Reset your Roku device now, and then sign in using your Australian Roku credentials.
- To add a channel, enter SBS on Demand and click Add.
After setting up an Australian Roku account and installing the SBS on Demand channel, let’s explore how to link your Roku TV with a VPN to access content in the UK.
Set Up VPN on Roku in the UK to Watch SBS on Demand
Fortunately, there are two methods for set up a VPN on a Roku device:
- Connect to Roku while setting up a Virtual Router on your computer or laptop – Recommendation
- Configure a VPN on your home router, then connect Roku to it.
How to Set Up a VPN Virtual Router to Watch SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK?
Window Users
Here’s how to set up a VPN on a Windows laptop or PC to access SBS on Demand in the UK via a virtual router:
- Install the VPN app on your Windows laptop or pc. I recommended ExpressVPN.
- In the task bar, select the internet connection icon, and then select “Open Network & Internet Settings.“
- Turn on “Mobile Hotspot” by clicking the button on the left side of the screen.
- In the next step, select “Status” and then “Change adaptor options.“
- Click “Properties” from the context menu when you right-click “ExpressVPN Tap Adaptor“.
- On the Sharing tab, choose the checkbox next to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection“.
- Click “OK” after selecting the newly formed hotspot connection from the drop-down menu.
- Now you have a hotspot connection.
- Open the VPN app on your Windows laptop or pc and connect the Australian server.
- Go to “Network” > “Set up connection” > “Wireless” on your Roku device.
- Select the Hotspot connection that your Windows device helped you setup.
- Once your device is connected to the internet, go to SBS on Demand channel and start streaming in the UK.
Mac Users
Unfortunately, due to the insufficient security needed to set up a virtual router, ExpressVPN and NordVPN no longer provide PPTP & L2TP – IPSec protocol. To set up a virtual router on your Mac so you can access SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK, consider PrivateVPN.
Here’s how to set up a VPN on a Mac laptop or PC to access SBS on Demand in the UK via a virtual router:
- Install a VPN app on your Mac – I recommend PrivateVPN.
- Go to the PrivateVPN website now and select “My Account” from the top menu.
- Click “Sign in” after entering your email address and the password you choose when signing up with PrivateVPN.
- Now pick “PPTP & L2TP – IPsec” from the “Manual Config” drop-down menu.
- The username, password, and server locations will be displayed.
- Select Apple menu > System Settings on your Mac, then click VPN in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.
- Select “L2TP over IPsec” by clicking “Add VPN Configuration” right now.
- Please enter the following details:
- Virtual Router Display Name: PrivateVPN Configuration: Default
- Return to the PrivateVPN website and copy and paste any Australian server address there.
- Copy the username from the PrivateVPN website and paste it as your account name.
- User authentication requires copying and pasting the password from the PrivateVPN website.
- Public Key: 12345678
- At this point, select “Option” and check the box next to “Send all traffic over VPN connection.”
- Select “Create” from the menu.
- Connect your Roku device to the VPN connection you just setup.
- Sign Up with your Australian Roku account and watch SBS on Demand on Roku from the UK.
How to Set up VPN on Home Router to Watch SBS on Demand on Roku in the UK?
ExpressVPN has been used during the entire procedure. Use the following instructions to set up ExpressVPN on your home router if it is an Asus, Linksys, or Netgear device to stream SBS on Demand in the UK on Roku:
For Linksys Routers:
https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/app-for-routers-linksys/
For Asus Routers:
https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/app-for-routers-asus/
For Netgear Routers:
https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/app-for-routers-netgear/
For Manual Router Configuration:
https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/#manual-router
What Channels Does SBS Offer?
There are seven radio networks and five TV channels available on the SBS streaming service. The following SBS channels are listed below:
- SBS
- SBS Viceland
- SBS World Movies
- SBS Food
- NITV
- SBS Radios 1, 2, and 3
- Arabic24,
- SBS Chill
- SBS PopDesi
- SBS PopAsia
What Can I Watch on SBS On Demand?
SBS Australia offers a wide range of streaming options, including movies, television shows, live sports, and food channels. Here is the list of popular titles and events that you can watch on SBS On Demand:
Movies
- Room
- Supernova
- Nymphomaniac
- Minari
- Baby Done
- Agnes Varda
- Patrick
TV Shows
- You’re The Worst
- Wayward Pines
- Michael Palin: Into Iraq
- Rogue Heroes
- The Wall
- Asking For It
- Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence
Sport Events
- FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series 2023
- ProMX Championship 2023
- Tour of Flanders Men’s Race 2023
- Womens Coppa Italia 2023
- NBA / NBL
- English Premier League
- French Open
Cooking Shows
- Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking
- A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Wild Cooking
- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw
- Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
- The Spice Trails: Latin America
- Adam Eats the 80s
- Strait to the Plate
Why is ExpressVPN the Best VPN to Download and Watch SBS on Demand on Apple TV in the UK?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN to download and watch SBS On Demand on an Roku in the UK. Here is why
It provides an extensive network of more than 3000+ servers in 105 countries, including 6 in Australia, and ensures that you can access your preferred content without any limitations.
Also, Its incredible streaming speed, which measures out to an astonishing 89.42 Mbps download and 84.64 Mbps upload on a 100 Mbps connection. This means smooth streaming in high resolution for on-demand content and even for live TV streaming.
ExpressVPN plays well with various devices, from PCs to PlayStation, Firestick, Roku, Xbox, Apple TV, and Smart TVs, seamlessly integrating into your entertainment lineup.
With support for up to eight simultaneous connections, it ensures both security and convenience, perfect for families or individuals with multiple devices.
And with 24/7 live chat support, you never miss watching your favorite shows and movies on SBS On Demand as well as other streaming services like Stan, TenPlay, ABC iView, and more.
Also, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, showcasing its commitment to user satisfaction.
How VPN Allows Me to Watch and Download SBS On Demand in the UK?
If you’re the UK and want to download and watch streaming services like SBS On Demand, it’s a bit tricky. That’s because SBS On Demand is only available in Australia, and they put restrictions so people from the UK can’t access it.
But, there’s a way around this! You can use a special tool called a VPN to make it look like you’re in Australia, and then you can download and watch SBS On Demand like you’re there.
When you use a VPN and connect to a server in Australia, your device pretends to be in Australia by getting an Australian IP address. This tricks streaming into believing you are actually there since it is the only way to identify the user’s location.
This lets you watch things that are usually only available in Australia from anywhere around the world.
FAQs
Yes, you can access SBS on Demand in the UKby obtaining an Australian IP address thanks to a VPN and keep in mind you can’t access SBS on Demand in the UK without a VPN since it is geo-blocked due to content licensing.
Yes, you can watch SBS on Demand on Roku by adding the SBS on Demand app from the Channel Store. But make sure that your device is running the latest OS version. Otherwise, the SBS on Demand app won’t work.
SBS On Demand is available in Australia. It is the online streaming service of the Special Broadcasting Service, an Australian public broadcaster. Access to SBS On Demand is generally limited to viewers within Australia due to content licensing agreements.