How to Download and Watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 Outside the UK

Looking for a way to download and watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 outside the UK?”

BBC iPlayer, the UK’s leading streaming platform, provides exclusive access to diverse TV shows and serves as a premier video-on-demand service, offering flexibility in watching BBC content at the viewer’s convenience.

To watch your favorite BBC iPlayer shows and movies on PS4 and PS5, you need to download the app from the PlayStation Store.

However, if you’re outside the UK and want to enjoy BBC iPlayer’s content on your PS4 and PS5, the process is complex due to the absence of native VPN support.

But don’t worry, In this blog, I will guide you through the steps to easily install and stream BBC iPlayer on your PS4 and PS5, even if you’re not currently in the UK. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 Outside the UK

To watch BBC iPlayer Outside the UK on PS4 and PS5, you need the following things:

• A VPN Subscription – Purchase a premium VPN connection, such as ExpressVPN
• BBC iPlayer Subscription – Sign up for BBC iPlayer on their website if you haven’t already

1. VPN Subscription

I tested several top VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5, and ExpressVPN stood out as the best performer.

To use ExpressVPN:

1. Choose ExpressVPN as your VPN provider.
2. Visit their website, pick a plan, and create an account.
3. Complete the subscription with your preferred payment method.
4. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
5. Log in using your account credentials.
6. Connect to a server for secure and private internet access.

After obtaining a VPN subscription, the next step is to sign up for BBC iPlayer .

      2. BBC iPlayer Subscription

Follow these steps to get a BBC iPlayer subscription:

1. Register and install a VPN – ExpressVPN is recommended.
2. Connect to a UK server via a VPN, visit BBC iPlayer, and select “Sign in.”
3. Click on “Register Now.“
4. Choose “16 or over.“
5. Input your date of birth and select “Continue.”
6. Provide all the necessary information and click “Register” (ensure you choose the United Kingdom). You can easily find UK postal codes on Google.
7. After establishing the connection, you are ready to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5– 3 Methods

To watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5, you can use one of these methods:

• Use DNS Server – Method 1
• Connect your PS4 and PS5 to a VPN router – Method 2
• Set up a VPN on PS4 and PS5 over PC – Method 3 

Use DNS Server – Method 1

DNS server is a service offer to watch geo-blocked content on devices that do not support VPN apps directly, such as PS4 and PS5. 

There are many VPN services that offer DNS servers, but I found ExpressVPN’s DNS server (known as MediaStreamer) the best among all to watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5. 

Here how to use DNS Server to watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 outside the UK:

1. Subscribe a reliable VPN, then connect to a UK server ( I recommend ExpressVPN). 
2. Head to www.expressvpn.com/dns_settings and sign in with your username and password. 
3. A verification code will be sent to your email address to get DNS settings access.
4. Enter that code to access DNS settings. 
5. Now on the DNS Settings page, under IP address registration, click on Register my IP address. (Note if you only see “Register” instead of “Register my IP address”, there is no need to do anything).
6. Now enable the “Automatically register my IP address.”
7. Go to www.expressvpn.com/setup#playstation. 
8. When the page opens, you will see the DNS server IP address, copy that address. 
9. Now open your PS4 and PS5, Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection. 
10. Go to the Advanced Settings of the Internet connection that your PS4 and PS5 is using. 
11. In Advance Settings, do the following:

• IP Address Settings: Automatic 
• DHCP Host: Don’t Specify 
• DNS Settings: Manual 
• Primary DNS: Use the DNS IP address you copied before 
• Secondary DNS: leave as it is
• Proxy server: Don’t use 
• MTU Settings: Automatic

12. Now click OK and wait for the process. 
13. Once you are connected go to the PS4 and PS5 main menu, search BBC iPlayer, sign in and start streaming. 

Connect your PS4 and PS5 to a VPN router – Method 2

If you’re not ready to purchase Aircove, you may be able to set up ExpressVPN on your router manually: 

1. Check to see if your router supports manual setup.
2. Open your router’s admin page by entering the router’s IP address in your browser search bar. You’ll need to log in using your router’s username and password.
3. Look for VPN options in the Settings or Advanced Settings section, then follow the manual setup instructions for your model.
4. Once the VPN is set up, you can connect your PS4 and PS5 to the router as normal, by Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
5. Now head to the BBC iPlayer app on your PlayStation, sign in and enjoy!

Set up a VPN on PS4 and PS5 over PC – Method 3 

You can also share a VPN connection from a Windows PC that is running ExpressVPN. Just create a mobile hotspot, then connect your PS4 and PS5 to it: 

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN and install the app for Windows. Then, select the Control Panel and choose Network and Internet. Switch on the Mobile Hotspot feature.
2. Click on Status and select Change Adapter options. In the list of Network connections, identify your Network name.
3. Right-click on the ExpressVPN Tap Adapter and choose Properties.
4. In the pop-up window that shows up, go to the Sharing tab and tick the box that permits other network users to connect.
5. In the menu, pick the hotspot you’ve set up, and click OK.
6. Finally, open the ExpressVPN application, connect to your desired server location, and choose the OpenVPN (either UDP or TCP) protocol.
7. Now connect your PS4 or PS5 with the hotspot and enjoy BBC iPlayer right now!

Can I Download and Watch BBC iPlayer on Other Devices Outside the UK?

Yes, you can download and watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK on following devices are listed below:

• Android Phones & Tablets
• iOS (iPhone/iPod/iPad)
• Windows
• Mac
• Amazon Fire Stick
• Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG Smart TV
• Samsung Smart TV
• Xbox One
• Roku
• Android TV

Which Best Shows and Movies are Available to Watch on BBC iPlayer?

Here is the list of Best Shows and Movies to Watch on BBC iPlayer:

Best Movies to Watch on BBC iPlayer

• Octonauts
• The Witchfinder
• The Rap Game
• Big Hero 6
• Monarch of the Glen
• Show Trial All Season
• Made Of Steel Documentary
• One Hot Summer
• End Of Watch
• Murder in the Badlands
• New Zealand v Argentina
• England vs Tonga
• Newry City v Larne FC
• Hungary Womens v Northern Ireland Womens
• Relic
• His House
• Host
• Don’t Look Now
• Six Nations Rugby Championship 2023
• NIFL Irish Premiership
• House of Games
• This Farming Life
• Rowing World Championships
• Beyond Paradise

Best TV Shows to Watch on BBC iPlayer

• The Repair Shop
• Jamie Johnson
• Big Little Journeys
• Some Girls
• Topsy and Tim
• DNA Family Secrets
• Dickensian
• Love + Hate
• The Capture
• First Ladies of Hip-Hop
• Versailles
• Eternal Beauty
• Murder in the Badlands
• Saving Lives in Leeds
• Life and Death Row
• Borgen
• The Met
• The Apprentice S17
• Happy Valley S3
• Death in Paradise S12
• Top Gear
• Beyond Paradise
• Crazy Rich Agents
• Our Changing Planet
• Eastenders

Why is ExpressVPN the Best VPN to Download and Watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 Outside the UK?

After extensive testing of multiple VPN providers, I found ExpressVPN is the best VPN to download and watch BBC iPlayer on PS4 and PS5 outside the UK, here is why

It provides an extensive network of more than 3000+ servers in 105 countries, including 4 in the UK, 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.

Apart from supporting devices like iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Amazon Firestick/Fire TV, ExpressVPN also plays well with various devices that do not support VPN directly such as PlayStation, Roku, Xbox, Apple TV, and Smart TV.

By providing MediaStreamer (Smart DNS), router set up, and routing through PC, you can download and stream your favorite streaming service on all the devices that do not support VPN native apps including BBC iPlayer, Channel 5, Sky Sports, ITVX and more outside the UK. 

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 BBC iPlayer as well as other streaming services like Channel 5, Sky Sports, ITVX 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 BBC iPlayer Outside the UK?

Due to content licensing BBC iPlayer is not available outside the UK. This means if you try to access BBC iPlayer outside the UK, it won’t allow you to stream the content. 

But, there’s a way around this! With VPN, you can mask your local IP address and change it with a UK IP address, tricking BBC iPlayer that you are somewhere in the UK.   

When you use a VPN and connect to a server in the UK, your device pretends to be in the United Kingdom. After that, when you try to access BBC iPlayer, The streaming service believes that you are actually there since an IP address is the only way to identify the user’s location and allows you to watch the content.