How to watch UKTV Play online from anywhere

With UKTV Play, you can catch up on Dave, Drama, and Yesterday content for free. This means you can stream TV shows such as The Bill, Abandoned Engineering, and Late Night Mash. The trouble is that UKTV Play content is region-locked outside the UK due to copyright restrictions. So, to watch it online while traveling abroad, you’ll need to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN establishes a secure and private connection between your devices and the internet. Your data is encrypted, and you are assigned a temporary IP address from the country of your choice – in this case, the UK. This lets you trick websites and services into thinking you’re accessing them from within the country in which they’re available. As such, VPNs are a popular choice for enjoying improved online security and bypassing geographic restrictions such as those you’ll find with UKTV Play.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to connect to UKTV from anywhere. We’ll also list the best VPNs for the job and answer some common VPN questions. We’ll go into more detail about each of the providers we recommend later on, but in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary.

Best VPNs for UKTV Play:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for UKTV Play. Over 440 UK servers and can also be used with BBC iPlayer. Fast speeds and secure with Double VPN servers, a strict no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Fastest speeds tested for lag-free streaming of UKTV Play. Includes Double VPN servers and 24/7 support.
3. ExpressVPN: Servers in 94 countries, including the UK. Works with UKTV Play, Netflix, and more. High-speed servers and secure with encryption and a kill switch.
4. CyberGhost: 9,000+ servers in 90 countries (over 800 in the UK). Unlimited bandwidth and up to seven simultaneous connections are allowed. Strict no-logs policy.
5. IPVanish: Connect all of your devices at once. Servers in multiple UK cities for accessing UKTV Play. Also works with Netflix US. No-logs service with 24/7 support.
6. PrivateVPN: Fast server speeds and no bandwidth throttling. Highly reliable — stream UKTV Play, ITV Hub, and more. Easy to use and has a strict no-logs policy.
7. Hotspot Shield: Servers in 80 countries. Works with UKTV Play and Amazon Prime. Includes 24/7 support and offers a password manager. Doesn’t keep identifying logs.

How to watch UKTV Play online from anywhere with a VPN

Not sure how to go about using a VPN? You might be surprised by how easy it is, particularly with the beginner-friendly services we’ve chosen. By following the step-by-step instructions below, you’ll be ready to watch UKTV Play in a matter of minutes!

Here’s how to watch UKTV Play online from anywhere using a VPN:

1. Start by signing up with a VPN provider offering UK servers. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, you should download and install the VPN app on the device or devices on which you’d like to use it.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the UK to get a UK IP address. This lets you access UKTV Play from abroad.
4. Go to UKTV Play and sign in. You should now be able to watch all content without restriction, regardless of your location.
5. Still doesn’t work? Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, or try connecting to another server to change your IP address. Otherwise, contact your VPN’s support.

How we chose the top VPNs for UKTV Play

While there are a lot of VPNs competing for your attention, not all VPNs are worth your time and money. We found the best VPNs for UKTV Play by ensuring that they meet all of the following requirements:

• Multiple UK-based servers that work with UKTV Play
• Fast, unthrottled connections for streaming
• Secure with encryption and a no-logs policy
• Live chat and email support 24 hours a day
• Allows at least five simultaneous connections
• Money-back guarantee so you can try risk-free

This is just a snapshot, but we go into more detail on our criteria and testing process In our methodology section below. for now lets take a closer look at the ones that made the grade.

Best VPNs for UKTV Play: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for UKTV Play.

Best VPNs to watch UKTV Play online from anywhere

At Comparitech, we aim to give you the most helpful and accurate recommendations possible. To do this, we test each and every VPN personally. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for UKTV Play:

1. NordVPN

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NordVPN is our top pick for UKTV Play. This is partly thanks to its extensive network of servers, but it’s also made a name for itself with above-average unblocking ability. With over 5,500 servers in 60 countries (some 440+ of which are located in the UK), this VPN service is ideal for UK streaming services such as UKTV Play, BBC iPlayer, and ITV Hub. Better still, it provides fast server speeds and unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream as much as you like.

With a NordVPN subscription, you can access 24/7 live chat and email support. Where it sets itself apart from most VPNs is with its specialty servers, which include P2P and Double VPN. Headquartered in Panama, NordVPN isn’t subject to mandatory data retention laws. Besides, it operates a strict no-logs policy. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection, NordVPN even offers a password manager and file encryption with cloud storage.

You’ll find NordVPN apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. While this VPN can be used with compatible routers, you’ll need to configure this manually.

BEST VPN FOR UKTV PLAY:NordVPN is our top recommendation for watching UKTV Play online. Highly reliable with very fast speeds. Use it with BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. No-logs service with P2P and Double VPN servers. 24/7 support. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

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Surfshark is our budget pick. It has UK servers in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. This allows you to stream UKTV Play (as well as the likes of BBC iPlayer and TVPlayer) from abroad. Indeed, with its 3,000+ servers in 100 countries (and growing!), you can also securely access over 30 Netflix libraries. This also happens to be one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, averaging impressive 207 Mbps speeds. On top of this, you’ll benefit from unthrottled bandwidth.

Planning on sharing your VPN with family members? It’s certainly worth knowing that Surfshark lets you connect as many devices as you like simultaneously. Once connected, all data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption while there’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection and a kill switch. A no-logs service, Surfshark offers an extra layer of protection with its MultiHop (Double VPN) servers. If you need help, there’s 24/7 support via live chat and email.

With Surfshark, you have access to desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps as well as those for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available to download. Manual setup is required for wifi routers.

BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark offers fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming of UKTV Play. It also works with 30+ Netflix libraries. Secure all of your devices simultaneously. No-logs VPN with Double VPN servers and live chat and email support, 24/7. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers, which cover 94 countries worldwide, including the UK. Among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, it’s ideal for streaming UKTV Play abroad (or indeed Netflix) and is P2P-friendly. With unlimited bandwidth, this VPN allows you to stream in the highest quality without having to contend with lag or buffering. You can use ExpressVPN on up to eight of your devices simultaneously.

Perhaps one of the easiest VPNs to use, ExpressVPN offers beginner-friendly apps and 24/7 live chat and email support. It ticks all of the boxes regarding security, too, providing 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Just as important, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified. There’s even the option to pay for this service anonymously in Bitcoin.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, as are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. This VPN is very router-friendly, with custom firmware, a new router dashboard interface, and a setup guide.

RELIABLE STREAMING:ExpressVPN works well with many popular streaming services including UKTV Play. Servers in 94 countries and fast, unthrottled speeds. Strong security with encryption and a no-logs policy. 24/7 support included. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

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CyberGhost is perfect for traveling abroad because it offers as many as 9,000 servers in 90 countries. If you’d like to watch UKTV Play overseas, keep in mind that this VPN service has more than 800 servers in the UK. These are located in London, Manchester, and Berkshire. When it comes to streaming, you’ll find that the high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth allow you to stream in 1080p HD and even 4K, all without excessive lag. Plus, this VPN allows you to connect up to seven devices at once.

With its strict no-logs policy, CyberGhost ensures your privacy is protected. Security is further bolstered through 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection. This VPN also offers 24/7 support and, more recently, has introduced its password manager, which is currently in beta testing.

Once signed up, you’ll be able to download CyberGhost apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox. You can even manually set it up with your router (if compatible).

800+ UK SERVERS:CyberGhost offers more UK servers than any other VPN listed and some 9,000+ servers worldwide. Secure up to seven devices simultaneously and enjoy unthrottled speeds. Strict no-logs VPN service with 24/7 support. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

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IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections — ideal if you have a lot of devices you’d like to secure. With steady speeds, WireGuard support now in beta, and no bandwidth throttling, you’ll have no trouble securely streaming UKTV Play or even Netflix US. In total, this VPN’s network consists of nearly 2,000 servers, more than 500 of which are in the cities of London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

When you connect to an IPVanish server, your data is routed through a 256-bit AES encrypted tunnel. You don’t need to worry about this becoming exposed thanks to further security features, including a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Best of all, IPVanish follows a true no-logging policy. There’s even a one-click button that’ll connect you to the fastest available server. 24/7 live chat and email support are available should you encounter any difficulties.

IPVanish apps are available for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. While you’ll also find an app for Amazon Fire TV, you’ll need to follow the manual setup instructions provided by IPVanish to use it with Linux or your wireless router.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish lets you connect all of your devices simultaneously. Good, consistent speeds for streaming UKTV Play. Servers in several UK cities. Secure thanks to encryption and a zero-logs policy. 24/7 support included. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

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PrivateVPN is a streaming-friendly option boasting fast server speeds combined with unlimited bandwidth. You’ll find servers in over 60 countries, including London and Manchester. Once you have a UK IP address, you’ll not only be able to watch UKTV Play online from abroad but also BBC iPlayer and Sky Go. Aside from offering impressive speeds and reliable content unblocking, this VPN allows up to six simultaneous connections per account.

With the PrivateVPN apps, it only takes a few seconds to connect to a server. To save time in the future, there’s also the option to favorite servers. While simple to use, this VPN provides live chat and email support as well as free remote help and installation. 256-bit AES encryption is used to keep your data safe from hackers. Aside from DNS leak protection and a kill switch, PrivateVPN operates a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online anonymity.

The apps PrivateVPN offers are for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. With manual configuration, you can use PrivateVPN with Linux and even your wifi router.

USER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is fast and works with the likes of UKTV Play, BBC iPlayer, and Sky Go. Beginner-friendly apps for desktop and mobile platforms. Live chat and email support. Protects privacy with a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

access uktv play onlineTested Nov 2024

Hotspot Shield makes it quick and easy to get a UK IP address for accessing and streaming UKTV Play overseas. With over 1,800 servers in 80 countries, including the UK, it’s a useful VPN for traveling abroad and bypassing geographic restrictions. The connections are consistent, there are specific servers for streaming, and better still, Hotspot Shield doesn’t engage in bandwidth throttling. As such, your TV viewing should be free from interruptions.

Live chat and email support are available 24 hours a day with a Hotspot Shield subscription. There’s also an impressive array of security features. For starters, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, a proprietary VPN protocol (though IKEv2 connections are now supported as well), DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. However, this VPN goes above and beyond many others with its offer of a password manager and spam call blocker. This security can cover five devices at the same time.

A Hotspot Shield subscription includes apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. A Chrome browser extension is also offered. If you’d like to use this VPN with your router, you’ll need to set this up manually.

EXTRA FEATURES:Hotspot Shield has servers in 80 countries including the UK for accessing UKTV Play. Also lets you watch Amazon Prime and Hulu. 24/7 support. Doesn’t keep identifying logs and includes a password manager. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

Testing Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for UKTV Play

Traveling abroad comes with some difficulties when it comes to browsing and streaming. For starters, you may suffer from slow speeds due to bandwidth throttling. Then there’s the issue that many streaming services are geo-blocked. We considered this (and more) as part of our methodology for finding the best VPNs for watching UKTV Play.

• Servers in the UK: At the very minimum, a VPN must offer servers in the UK if you want to be able to use it to stream UKTV Play while traveling abroad. Indeed, getting a UK IP address via a VPN will also mean that you’ll be able to access the likes of BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, which are also region-locked.
• Speed: The fact that you’re here reading about how to watch UKTV Play tells us you plan on using your VPN for streaming, at least occasionally. This requires high-speed connections and, better still, unlimited bandwidth. The benefit of this is that you can then stream without interruptions such as lag and buffering.
• Network size: The bigger a VPN’s server network, the more content you can access. We’ve selected VPNs that offer thousands of servers across dozens of countries, including the UK, US, Australia, and more. Note that more servers should also mean less server load, resulting in better quality connections.
• Security: One of the main advantages of using a VPN is that it encrypts your data, protecting you from various security threats. However, we look for VPNs that offer plenty of extra security measures, including protection from DNS leaks and a kill switch. In some cases, Double VPN servers are available.
• Privacy: Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to browse and stream anonymously, particularly if your ISP is keeping logs. The VPNs in this post operate strict no-logs policies. This means that only you have access to your data. In fact, we analyzed 140 VPN logging policies to find those that offer the strongest privacy protection.
• Ease of use: A VPN may sound a little bit complicated, but the apps should actually be very easy to interact with. Connecting to a server shouldn’t take more than a few seconds if you choose one of the beginner-friendly VPNs listed. What’s more, you’ll have the added advantage of access to 24/7 support.
• Value for money: Many VPNs claim to be the best and charge an exorbitant sum as a result. We don’t believe a VPN should break the bank, particularly with so many services competing for your attention. We look for those that offer a money-back guarantee. You can even use our VPN discount coupons to save a little extra.

Want to know more? Check out our post detailing our scientific VPN testing methodology.

Streaming UKTV Play abroad: FAQs