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How to Watch BBC America Outside the US in 2021

Last updated June 22, 2021
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist

Looking for a way to watch Planet Earth, Top Gear, Doctor Who, Broadchurch, or Killing Eve? Well, all of those TV shows come from the BBC, and they’re available via BBC America as well. However, even though you can watch this linear TV channel live online and even access its on-demand content library, all of that comes geo-restricted. So, is it possible to watch BBC America outside the US?

Yes, it is! And as you can already guess, we’ll show you how to unblock and then access BBC America from any country in the world. We’ll use a VPN for that purpose, so let’s jump straight into our step-by-step guide.

Where Is BBC America Available? 

Even though BBC America's website is accessible from anywhere, its content is restricted to the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories.

More precisely, BBC America’s on-demand library is available in the United States, Canada, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands, and United States Virgin Islands. And when it comes to BBC America’s live stream, that feature is available in all of the previously listed territories, except for Canada.

BBC America Prompt to Sign In Using TV Provider

Also, one more note. Even though BBC America won’t display a geo-block error message, you will be asked to sign in using your username/password associated with a compatible cable or satellite TV service. If you’re not in the US, your access will be blocked.

How to Watch BBC America Outside the US

Finally, use the following 6 steps to watch BBC America outside the US in 2021:

Step #1: Get the Best-Working VPN to Unblock BBC America

To unblock media streaming websites and access their content without interruptions, you need to find a proven VPN service. After having tested more than 60 VPNs, we strongly recommend going for ExpressVPN, which comes as the best VPN overall.

ExpressVPN gives you access to plenty of VPN servers in the US, letting you unblock BBC America with ease. It also offers multiple VPN protocols, high-end encryption, and incredibly fast performance. Still, you do have some other options as well, as highlighted in our guide on the best VPNs for media streaming.

Step #2: Get Your VPN Subscription

Hopefully, you’ll decide to sign up for ExpressVPN. So, to get your subscription, visit the VPN's website and select 'Get ExpressVPN.' Then, pick your subscription, but keep in mind that long-term plans come with significant savings.

Initial Landing Page on ExpressVPN Website

Once you pick your subscription, provide your email address and choose a payment method. As soon as you’re done filling out the required information, you’ll receive a confirmation email from ExpressVPN’s team. That’s when you can proceed to the next step.

ExpressVPN Sign Up Form

Step #3: Download & Install the VPN on Your Device(s)

No matter what device or operating system you use, ExpressVPN will be waiting with its native software. So, here’s how to download, install, and use ExpressVPN on more than 60 of its supported devices. Make sure to use the provided link, pick your platform there, and you’ll get to our step-by-step guide.

Going Through Initial ExpressVPN Setup

Once you install ExpressVPN, ensure that it’s ready for use. That means you need to open the application, log in (here’s how to find your ExpressVPN activation code, should you need it), and set up ExpressVPN for the first time.

Step #4: Connect to a VPN Server in the US

You'll need to complete this step each time you wish to unblock and watch BBC America outside the US, made possible by connecting to a US server. So, launch ExpressVPN and select the button just below the ON/OFF switch (using the app's home screen). That's when a new window will open, listing all of ExpressVPN's servers.

Connecting to US Server via ExpressVPN Interface on macOS

Pick 'United States,' and then double-click on any server found in that country. After a couple of moments, ExpressVPN will connect you, which will be indicated by its green-colored interface. Since you’ve created a secure VPN tunnel now, you can proceed to access BBC America.

Step #5: Unblock & Access BBC America from Anywhere

Now, use your Web browser to visit BBC America via its website. Pick any video you'd like to watch, and a pop-up will ask you to log in. Therefore, this step is for those who already have a compatible cable TV, satellite TV, or OTT TV subscription. Pick your provider, enter your username and password, and you'll be ready to stream anything.

BBC America Asking for TV Provider

However, if you're yet to subscribe to BBC America, don't worry, as that's entirely possible. Use the provided link to find live TV streaming services that let you subscribe from outside the US using a VPN service.

Watching BBC America Outside the US Using ExpressVPN

Step #6 (Optional): Get BBC America on Other Devices

BBC America is also accessible on iOS/iPadOS and Android. However, those apps are available only for those who have US-based Google or Apple accounts. So, if you’d like to watch BBC America outside the US on your iPhone or Android device, you’ll need to get a new Apple ID or create a new Google account.

Signing Up for Apple ID

While signing up for a new Google/Apple account, you’ll need to use a VPN in the background (here’s how to set up ExpressVPN on iOS and Android). Also, make sure to pick 'United States' when asked about your country. And if asked about a US address, this random US address generator will help you input the required information.

Steps to Download BBC America on iPhone

Finally, log out of your old account on your smartphone, and then log in using your new account. That’s when you can proceed to download the BBC America app from the iOS App Store or Google’s Play Store. That’s it!

Watching BBC America Outside the US on iPhone

How to Sign Up for BBC America Outside the US

As you can see above, you need OTT (live TV streaming) service credentials to access and watch BBC America. Therefore, if you’re outside the US, you’ll need to sign up for an OTT service that lets you do that using a VPN service.

We’ve done our research, and we’ve found two OTT services that you can use outside the US, letting you subscribe and watch BBC America. They are - fuboTV and YouTube TV.

First, we have fuboTV, which offers BBC America even in its 'Starter' plan (priced at $64.99 per month) along with more than 100 additional TV channels. To learn more, here’s the full list of fuboTV’s packages and prices. Also, check out the fuboTV’s full list of TV channels. And lastly, here’s how to get fuboTV outside the US.

Then, another option would be YouTube TV, which comes priced at $64.99 and gives you access to 80+ TV channels (with BBC America included). To learn more, here’s how to get YouTube TV outside the US.

FAQ

What Is BBC America?

BBC America is a linear channel that combines original American scripted series combined with BBC’s content (from the UK). You can access it online as well.

What Can I Watch on BBC America?

BBC America is home to some of the most popular TV shows, such as Doctor Who, Orphan Black, Broadchurch, Planet Earth II, Top Gear, and more.

Can I Watch BBC America On-Demand?

Yes, you can watch BBC America on-demand via its website and mobile apps. This service comes free of charge, but you need a cable or OTT subscription.

Can I Watch BBC America Live Online?

Yes, you can watch BBC America live online via its website and mobile apps. To access this feature, you need to have a cable, satellite, or OTT subscription.

What Devices Are Compatible With BBC America?

BBC America works on any Web-connected device via its website. Aside from that, you can get its iOS/iPadOS, Android, Fire TV, and Roku apps.

Is There a Free VPN That Unblocks BBC America (Outside the US)?

No, there’s no free VPN that can currently unblock BBC America. Your only option is to pick a reputable commercial VPN, such as ExpressVPN.

That would be all on how to watch BBC America outside the US in 2021. If you have any questions, share them with us via the comments section below. Lastly, thanks for reading!



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