How to watch BBC iPlayer in New Zealand
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BBC iPlayer is the UK’s best online streaming service, with thousands of hours of excellent, and varied content.
However, it is blocked in New Zealand, and any other location in the world outside the UK.
No matter who you are, or where you are – if you are not in the UK, you won’t be able to watch it. At least, not without some help.
If you’re a British expat, then this will leave you missing TV from home and if you’re a Kiwi or anyone else in New Zealand you won’t be able to stream some of the excellent shows that the BBC produces.
Luckily, there is a solution, and in this guide we will show you how to unlock and watch BBC iPlayer in New Zealand, and gain access to all of its content without the need to step foot outside of the country.
What you need to watch the BBC iPlayer
To unblock BBC iPlayer in New Zealand, you will have to use a VPN app.
VPNs are privacy apps known for unblocking any content online. Their primary purpose is to keep you safe and secure online, but they also have a handy side benefit and that’s allowing you to alter your location.
There are loads to choose from but not all work with BBC iPlayer, so it’s essential to choose carefully.
We recommend using ExpressVPN, and they’ve been our go-to VPN service for the past couple of years due to their reliability when streaming BBC iPlayer.
There are however others and below are our top 3 picks.
Top 3 VPN services to watch BBC iPlayer:
- ExpressVPN – Highly recommended
- NordVPN
- CyberGhost VPN
All work with BBC iPlayer and you are free to choose.
How to watch on a computer or laptop
If you plan to watch BBC iPlayer on a computer or a laptop, you will have to get a VPN app for PC or Mac.
This is the easiest method, so pat yourself on the back for choosing the quickest route.
We will explain how to do it and use ExpressVPN as an example. The process is easy, and all you need to do is follow these few, simple steps.
- Go to ExpressVPN’s website.
- Click on the big, red ‘Get ExpressVPN‘ button.
- Choose your payment plan. Notice how the 12-month plan comes with a 49% discount.
- Enter the rest of the required details, such as your email address and your payment method to complete sign-up.
- Download the app for PC or Mac from the ‘Products‘ area, install it, and launch it.
- Find the list of locations within the app, and connect to any server in the United Kingdom.
- Now all that’s left to do is visit BBC iPlayer or use their app.
Watch BBC iPlayer in New Zealand using ExpressVPN.
You can now enjoy watching your favourite BBC shows in New Zealand either live or by using the catch-up service.
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How to watch on a Tablet or Phone
If you plan to use a tablet or a phone instead of a computer, the process is pretty similar, with only a few minor differences.
Once again, follow these few steps, and you will be able to watch iPlayer on your mobile devices within minutes.
- Go to the ExpressVPN website and click the ‘Get ExpressVPN‘ button.
- Enter your email and payment information and choose a payment plan.
- Once sign-up is complete search your regular app store for ‘ExpressVPN’.
- Install the app, open it and login with your account details.
- Choose a location in the United Kingdom, and hit ‘Connect’.
- Launch BBC iPlayer app, and enjoy watching in New Zealand.
Watch iPlayer on your mobile devices.
If you don’t already have the BBC iPlayer app installed on either your tablet or phone, you’ll need to download it.
Below we’ll be explaining how.
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Installing the BBC iPlayer app
One thing you should note is that computer users can watch BBC’s content on its website directly via BBC iPlayer, with no issues.
However, when it comes to phone and tablet users, you will have to download the iPlayer app on to your device first.
If you are an Android user, you can download the app without any difficulties. Just open a new web-browser on your tablet or phone and download the BBC iPlayer app directly using this link.
However, for iOS users that’s iPad and iPhone, even this process will require a VPN, as you will have to change the store region for the iPlayer app to become available.
You should follow this video to do just that.
How to watch on a Fire TV, Stick or Cube
We have mentioned earlier that you can watch BBC iPlayer on other devices as well, but they will also require you to use a VPN.
If you own an Amazon Fire TV device, then you can sign up for ExpressVPN using the methods described above for computer users.
The only difference is you’ll download the ExpressVPN app directly onto your Fire TV device after sign-up. Then connect to the United Kingdom via the app.
You should then use a web-browser app like the built-in ‘Internet’ or install ‘Firefox’ to watch BBC iPlayer via their website. You can not use the BBC iPlayer app.
How to watch on a Smart TV or other devices
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer on your Smart TV or another type of device, you will have to get additional hardware, in the form of a VPN-friendly router.
The best for this is the InvizBox 2.
You’ll need to ensure that the device you’re using has a web-browser feature capable of accessing websites such as BBC iPlayer or already has a dedicated built-in BBC iPlayer app.
With the InvizBox 2 you can create a new Wi-Fi hotspot (you can also use it wired) – one that is dedicated to providing you with a UK connection.
That way, any device you use to connect to the internet via this newly created InvizBox 2 Wi-Fi (or wired) connection will have its traffic go through the UK VPN directly.
This is what you will have to do:
- Go to the InvizBox website and order an InvizBox 2.
- Once it arrives, set it up using the simple enclosed instructions.
- Create a new connection for a UK VPN server.
- Connect your device via Wi-Fi or a wired connection.
- Enjoy watching BBC iPlayer.
The InvizBox 2 will let you watch BBC iPlayer on any device.
In Summary
As you will have seen, there are a few different options for watching BBC iPlayer depending on the type of device you’re using.
For most a simple VPN app from ExpressVPN will unblock BBC iPlayer in New Zealand.
If you want to watch on a computer, laptop, tablet, phone or Amazon Fire TV device, then that’s the solution you need.
If you want to watch on other kinds of devices, then you’ll need the more expensive hardware solution – an Invizbox 2.
There is loads of great content on BBC iPlayer, but unfortunately, it is geo-restricted to the UK alone. As you can see, it’s effortless to unblock it and watch in New Zealand.
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