My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Living overseas

Does anyone know how to get ITV player to work overseas?!

52 replies

MDL · 16/09/2012 06:10

Hi - do you know if there is anyway to watch ITV programmes on ITV player if you are not living in the UK? I tried to watch something and is said the video was not available to watch in my region ( Hong Kong) Downton Abbey starts tonight and I am desperate to watch it!

Thanks.

OP posts:
Report
Glittertwins · 16/09/2012 06:18

As far as I know, you need to change the proxy settings of where you are and how you are accessing the web on your computer to fool iPlayer/itv player into thinking you are in the UK. A friend of ours who is US based paid a small amount of money for software that does this so he can watch all UK tv.

Report
Glittertwins · 16/09/2012 06:20

Search on google for "spoof ip address to watch"

Report
BlameItOnTheBogey · 16/09/2012 06:25

I kept this thread from ages ago which has some good advice here

Report
desertgirl · 16/09/2012 06:26

Or get a VPN in the UK (google it) - the free ones never seem much use but you can pay a smaLl amount and bingo, websites you access think you are in the uk

Report
president · 16/09/2012 06:32

I know the answer!!!

I live in Shanghai and used to have the same problem.

You need to buy a VPN. I can recommend Astrill.com, just go to the website and select the basic package, it's pretty cheap for a subscription. Then you can choose any country's IP address in order to watch UK TV, American TV, plus you can access all the country-specific content on the web. And you can log into the VPN from any computer.

Only warning: don't access your bank accounts though it or leave it on if you aren't using it. I know a friend who had their email hacked when they left their computer on overnight still logged into expressvpn.com

Enjoy Downton Abbey!

Report
butterfliesinmytummy · 16/09/2012 06:35

I use my-expat-network.co.uk for £5 a month via PayPal. It's a good service. Just remember to type a valid uk post code (a friend or parent or your address back home) when prompted otherwise you won't get itv1....

Report
MDL · 16/09/2012 07:24

Thanks everyone for your quick replies! I think I will go with my expat network as it seems the least complicated!

Am so looking forward to watching Downton tmrw!

Thanks again.

OP posts:
Report
Traceymac2 · 18/09/2012 19:16

Expat sheild is free. Not sure about the whole legality of it as it gives your computer a UK IP address to you each time you log on but it works!

Report
botandhothered · 18/09/2012 19:50

I use expat shield aswell. It's free, but I get quite alot of pop ups!

Report
Traceymac2 · 18/09/2012 20:10

Yes they are a pain, I think you can block them though.

Report
ivesufferedenoughfools · 19/09/2012 01:19

We tried expat shield but it stopped working after a couple of weeks. Try watchuktv.co.uk - about a fiver a month and doing ok so far.

Report
Portofino · 19/09/2012 09:36

We use VPN UK - it costs about £5 per month. Expat Shield is useless - really clunky and too many ads. Also have a look at //www.Filmon.com - you can watch the English channels for free but I think you have to subscribe to record programmes.

We watch UK tv now through the Film On app on my phone and an HD cable.

Report
MuffinTumMum · 19/09/2012 10:47

We use " my private network". Have done for 3 years. Never a problem. £5 a month through pay pal. Great also for kids watching bbc programmes. Can get a cable that links computer to tv so don't have to watch it on computer screen. Downloading downtown abbey as we speak! Apple TV is also a great purchase.

Report
ThursdayWillBeTheDay · 24/09/2012 18:22

www.tvlinks.eu is what I use. Used to use vpnuk and other proxy ip addresses, but no need with tvlinks.

Report
Ploom · 24/09/2012 20:08

portofino - impressed with that filmon.tv but how does that work? I can access British TV without paying a licence fee - thought that was the reason I needed a VPN before?? To hide that I didnt have one? Do you need to subscribe at some point or can you always watch without registering?

(too many questions - sorry!)

Report
Portofino · 24/09/2012 20:24

If you can access it and it works - then you are away laughing, You can only watch live tv though. If you want to record from Fim On or see the UK iplayers you need to subscribe (to FilmOn) or get a VPN.

Report
SammyTheSwedishSquirrel · 27/09/2012 19:39

Download Expatshield for free and Bob's your uncle.

Report
surroundedbyblondes · 29/09/2012 19:49

We watch via Filmon. Live only. Sad old gits that we are (small DCs who sleep poorly) we knackered watching Downton at 10pm on a Sunday night. But worth it! Love Downton Grin

Report
Rosa · 29/09/2012 20:10

On the Ipad Filmon is free but as its live the time difference can make for late nights.

Report
fergus123 · 05/05/2013 14:10

You get some pretty good deals for the tv abroad thingy if you pay for a year upfront, few quid a month

www.laptoptelly.com/subsdeal

Report
Earlybird · 18/05/2013 12:57

Why do I feel this is dodgy/possibly illegal, and that I will somehow infect my computer or become vulnerable to hackers if I do it?

Can anyone reassure me?

Also, do certain methods work better in certain countries? Or are they all much the same?

Report
SavoyCabbage · 19/05/2013 09:17

I watch ITV stuff on youtube - no adverts.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Scootergrrrl · 19/05/2013 09:26

We use Tunnelbear which is five dollars a month, paid through Paypal, and you can choose whether to use a UK or US IP address. That means you can use iPlayer, 4OD and the UK channels, as well as Netflix US and the American on-demand stuff.
Works like a charm for us in Germany.

Report
CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 14/09/2013 23:35

One year on, I'm in the same place as the OP! Downtown starts next week and I'm off abroad for a while. Is 'my ex pat shield' stil recommended?

Report
anothermonday · 15/09/2013 14:08

We use my-expat-network and have never had any problems, it works v well. £5 a month, as a pp mentioned. It only took a few minutes to install. We didn't find the free ones very reliable.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.