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Is there a legal way to watch a BBC show from another country ?


Yesterday there was an article about a show called "Gladiators" in the Guardian, i wanted to see what it was and looked for where to watch it.
The problem is that i leave in France. The tow only options i found were to :

  • Torrent it
  • Use a VPN, create an account on the BBC website, give a random postcode in UK and say that i pay a television license in UK (which i don't because i live in France)

I wondered if i missed something or if there is really no way to legally watch it ?

This entry was edited (1 day ago)
in reply to Dschubba120

Option 3: Check into a UK hotel, then you'll be covered by the hotel's licence.

Asklemmy reshared this.

in reply to Dschubba120

I think it's the same issue when watching any content from abroad. You need a broadcaster or streamer that operates in your country to pick up the rights.

When we were in the EU there was some discussion about using subscriptions from other EU countries, although I don't remember how much that extended to BBC content. Not that it's relevant now anyway.

PS you could DX it OTA from the North coast.

This entry was edited (1 day ago)
in reply to Dschubba120

The problem with the VPN solution is that the BBC has gotten smart about that. It's a game of whack a mole. Every time a service has installed a new server with new IPs, iPlayer finds out about it and blocks it. So you don't even get to the part where you could fraudulently claim to be paying for the license.

Where in France are you? In Calais you might still get terrestrial signal (although I don't know if the signal standards differ) or it could be available on cable.

A third option is not perfectly legal but more so than torrenting. There are online services that record the terrestrial signal and allow you to download the recordings after the fact. Google BBC online HDR or DVR and see if one of these services might be for you.

in reply to FriendOfDeSoto

Thank you for the answers

So you don't even get to the part where you could fraudulently claim to be paying for the license.


I did it and for now it's working (using ProtonVPN)

Where in France are you?


I'm not near the north coast but i'm not sure it would be possible

I'll look into the third option

This entry was edited (1 day ago)
in reply to Dschubba120

Why do you care about the legality? Just watch the show you want to watch and delete it afterwards.
in reply to organ

or share it with friends instead of deleting (also known as seed your torrents)
This entry was edited (4 hours ago)
in reply to Dschubba120

If you can't find a legal rights streamer, and feel bad about it, use the VPN and send the BBC licensing office the £100 😀
in reply to BCsven

Yeah, might be one of these times where it's easier to donate and watch however i want