How to watch Channel 4 outside the UK
Chris
Chris, a UK-born media connoisseur, is an expert in watching international TV. Known as "The Global Screen Wanderer", he has travelled extensively across the globe with long stints away from home. With over 10 years of experience he has become the go-to guru for streaming content from home and abroad.
Can’t access Channel 4 where you are? You’re in the right place because I’m going to show you exactly how to watch Channel 4 in any country.
If you’ve been trying to watch the online streaming service All 4 from Channel 4 abroad (such as expats) then you’ll know like me that you’re blocked from viewing.
All 4 is officially only available in the UK so if you’re not a UK resident, you’re living abroad or travelling then you won’t be able to catch up with all the quality programmes on the Channel 4 service or watch the live TV service.
The great news there is a really simple way you can watch the service outside the UK and below I’m going to show you how.
So read on and let’s find out how you can watch anywhere in the world regardless of what time zone you live in.
What you need to unlock All 4
If you visit the All 4 website outside the UK then you’ll be stopped from viewing.
You’re blocked from viewing because the All 4 website knows your location.
The reason? Every internet connection is assigned something known as an IP Address. The problem with an IP Address is it also allows websites to determine your location.
The way to watch Channel 4 (All 4) anywhere is to change your IP Address to one from the UK.
Doing this is simple and you’ll require an app called a VPN to help you.
A VPN is a privacy app that allows you to change your IP Address to stay safe online. Below I’ll show you the best place to get a VPN and how you use it to watch Channel 4 (All 4) anywhere.
How to watch All 4 outside the UK
My number 1 VPN app recommendation for you is ExpressVPN.
Not only do they have the fastest connections, excellent VPN apps, reliable servers, a large server network, and top-quality privacy features to protect your data, but they work incredibly well with streaming services too such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, and more.
They have apps for Windows PC, Mac, Android, iOS mobile device or Linux.
ExpressVPN isn’t the only VPN app out there and each of the three VPNs I’ll mention further in this article offer software for computers and apps for mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Visit the provider website or the relevant app store and download the software or app for your device.
Install and run it. Now all you need to do is select a United Kingdom server and press Connect. Once connected visit the All 4 website or use their app and you’ll be able to watch live or catch-up TV.
Below I’ve put together a step-by-step guide using ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
- Visit the ExpressVPN website and sign-up.
- Download the app from the Products area.
- Install and run it.
- Login when required.
- Press Selected Location to view servers and select the United Kingdom.
- Press Connect.
The app will now make connection for you.
Once connected all you need to do is visit the All 4 site or use their app and you can watch any show or live TV.
You can also use the Virtual Private Network to watch other UK streaming websites like BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, Demand 5, Sky Go and more from anywhere.
30-day money-back guarantee
What can I watch on All 4?
Channel 4 has some excellent TV shows and movies available on its online platform All 4 and has set itself apart from other streaming platforms.
Some of my all-time favourite shows are all available on there, ready to watch on demand whenever I feel like it.
A personal favourite of mine is The Inbetweeners, the show follows four teenagers navigating their way through college.
One of the most popular shows to look out for is Peep Show. It follows two flatmates who are like chalk and cheese, Mark is as straight-laced as they come and Jez is… well he is just Jez.
Or, if you want a change of pace, there’s always some good old fashioned reality TV such as Made In Chelsea which follows a group of young rich toffs whose lives are full of drama.
All 4 also has a collection of content from channels Film4, E4, More4, 4Music, and all other Channel 4 owned channels.
There’s literally something for all viewers to enjoy and it’s all on-demand (no need to worry about time zone clashes).
How can I watch Channel 4 on my TV?
To watch Channel 4 on your TV from outside the UK, you have a choice of 4 options.
1. Use ExpressVPN’s free MediaStreamer DNS service.
When you sign up to ExpressVPN, they offer a FREE DNS programme called MediaStreamer that can be used to unblock regionally restricted websites or streaming services and to watch Channel 4 from outside the UK.
To set it up you’ll need to go into your TVs DNS settings and change them to suit the MediaStreamer DNS settings.
While this method isn’t too difficult to set up, it might scare off some of you who aren’t technically minded. But it’s a good workaround to access UK content from outside of the UK.
For this method to work, you’ll need to have a TV with the Channel 4 app installed.
2. Use an Amazon Fire TV Stick
One of the most common ways of accessing Channel 4 outside of the UK on your TV is by using the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
To do so, you’ll need to sign up for a VPN provider such as ExpressVPN and download the app on your Fire TV stick. You can then connect to a UK server and you’re good to go.
You’ll also need to have the Channel 4 app on your Fire Stick.
The setup process is very simple and won’t take you long to get going and streaming all of the best Channel 4 shows.
The only downside to this is that if you don’t already own an Amazon Fire Stick, you’ll need to buy one first here.
3. Use an Invizbox 2
Invizbox 2 is a hardware VPN that you can connect to using any streaming device. As Invizbox 2 is a VPN, your data will be safer than using DNS (mentioned as option 1).
As with any VPN, there will be a small drop in your connection speeds while you’re connected to their servers, but you’ll hardly notice it.
One downside to the Invizbox 2 is that it can prove to be expensive when compared to the other options available.
It’s a great option for unblocking Channel 4 outside of the UK.
Again, the Channel 4 app is required on your Smart TV.
4. Use a StreamLocator
StreamLocator is a hardware device that plugs into your router which you can connect to from any device.
StreamLocator operates by using DNS to unblock restricted websites, giving you full access to overseas content without the need to connect and disconnect every time you want to access something.
As StreamLocator uses DNS, it allows you to have lossless speeds which are ideal for streaming video content from streaming services.
However, the device doesn’t provide you with the same protection that VPNs do, so if your online privacy is important to you, then I suggest you use one of the other options.
You’ll need the Channel 4 app installed on your TV for this method to work.
Alternative VPN service choices
Online privacy has become a big issue in recent years and so it means the choice of VPN providers is vast.
Searching Google for a VPN can leave you confused and if you’re like me you don’t have time to be searching through pages and pages of different companies and services.
Not all VPN services are created equally even though they all cost roughly the same amount.
To watch All 4 (Channel 4) abroad you need a VPN that is fast and reliable. I’ve tested a selection of providers to find out which is the best to watch All 4 (Channel 4) abroad and found the following three to be most suitable.
All you need to do is click one of the names above or the button to visit my recommended provider and sign-up.
Good VPNs should cost no more than US$10 per month and will be even cheaper if you sign up for a longer period of time.
Whether you select ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or CyberGhost, you’ll be in good hands.
Conclusion
To gain access to Channel 4 from outside the UK regardless of your postal code, you’ll need some help.
A VPN such as our top recommendation ExpressVPN is your number 1 option and will give you unrestricted access to All 4 (Channel 4) and everything that Channel 4 airs, no matter where you are in the world.
With access to All 4, you’ll have no trouble with the time zone you’re in.
Get ExpressVPN now and watch shows such as Peep Show, The Inbetweeners, and more from almost any device that you own.
