The BBC has developed a way for anyone to watch their favorite programs over the Internet and are calling it the BBC iPlayer. However, since so many English citizen travel around Europe, they are not able to watch BBC iPlayer in Italy because the website is GEO restricted. This means that if you are not in the UK, you do not have access to the website or it is blocked when you attempt to download your favorite BBC program or watch the news.
Because of the international laws governing programming around the world, the BBC only lets UK residents watch their programs over the Internet. The way the BBC ensures this restriction is followed is by reviewing each persons IP address and if it is not one that is within the UK, blocks the BBC iPlayer from working. So if you are in Italy, the BBC iPlayer website will block you because you have an Italian IP and not a UK IP.
Getting a UK IP to Watch BBC iPlayer in Italy
In order to change over your Italian IP to one that is inside the UK, you will have to find a VPN service, or Virtual Private Network. The way a VPN service works is by locating a server in the UK and anytime you get on the worldwide web from inside Italy, you connect through the VPN’s server and not the local ISP.
Since you are getting on the Internet through the VPN’s UK server, you get a UK IP and can begin watching your favorite BBC programs on their iPlayer. You have made the BBC iPlayer website think you are inside the UK, when you are actually in Italy. It really is pretty simple once you find the right VPN service.
Using a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Italy
It is not problematic to find a VPN in Italy, but not all of them are the same. For instance, you need to make sure the VPN has services that give you a UK IP so you can watch BBC iPlayer in Italy. You must also make sure the VPN has enough bandwidth, or connection speed, to play the movies in a timely manner. For example, many VPN services are available, but only provide a certain amount of bandwidth. When you attempt to watch BBC programs on iPlayer, you will find that the connection speed is not fast enough to download the programs and your computer will keep stopping and buffering, which is frustrating.
Another aspect of using a VPN service is the protocols the providers offers. Most use a PPTP, which is fine when you are in Italy, but it can still be blocked. You may want to find one that has more secure protocols available, like SSL, which is commonly used by banks to secure their websites and will work better for you.
Connecting to a VPN is pretty simple. All you do is register, get a password assigned, enter the members area, choose your services and pay for the subscription. Then you have to make the connection between your computer or device to the VPN’s server. This is important, because setting up the connection for your iPad is different than setting up your connection for your computer. Make sure that the VPN you choose has instructions on how to accomplish this connection.
Top VPNs to Watch BBC iPlayer in Italy
While finding a VPN is not problematic, finding the top VPN services can be. Everything mentioned above is important, but, again, not all providers have the same services available. You could find yourself paying for a VPN that does not do what you expected or needed. That is why we have looked at all the VPN services and found the best ones to recommend. All of these will give you what you need and allow you to watch BBC iPlayer in Italy.
| Rank | Provider |
Starting Price | MoneyBack |
Visit Website |
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ExpressVPN | $6.67/month | 30 Days |  |
| 2 | VyprVPN | $14.95/month | 7 Days | |
| 3 | IPVanish | $10.00/month | 7 Days | |
| 4 | Hidemyass | $6.55/month | 30 Days | |
| 5 | StrongVPN | $21/ 3 Months | 7 Days | |