How to watch the BBC’s Zog 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.
Every year there’s a kids cartoon, animation or show that everyone is talking about.
Playgrounds across the UK are a flurry of excitement as everyone talks about the impending show. This year it’s the turn of Zog, the well-loved children’s book that’s been adapted by the UK’s BBC network into a feature length animation.
As if Christmas wasn’t hectic enough the BBC have decided to air this obvious masterpiece on Christmas Day no less. So remembering to plonk your kids down at the right time so they don’t miss Zog is another one you can add to the list.
Although it will give you time to clean up the Christmas dishes I suppose.
The thing about BBC shows is they make worldwide news so if you’ve got little ones but you’re not in the UK then you’re going to need to watch on the BBC iPlayer which isn’t ordinarily available outside the UK.
Below I’m going to show you how to be the hero parent this year so you (or your kids at least) can watch Zog on Christmas Day in any country in the world.
How to watch Zog outside the UK
Zog is being shown at 4:50 pm in the UK which is 11:50 am in New York and 03:50 am in Sydney on the 26th (it’s one your kids will have to watch up on catch-up if you’re in Australia then).
It’s being shown live on the BBC iPlayer service or available as a catch-up show after its aired live.
Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is restricted to the UK only so to watch Zog you’re going to need a VPN app.
A VPN lets you pretend you are in the UK allowing you to watch Zog anywhere in the world. A VPN will cost you a couple of dollars but you get a whole month for your money which means you can watch loads of other TV from the UK and across the world.
1) Choose a VPN app
A VPN comes as an app and they work on computers, laptops, phones, the Amazon Fire TV Stick and a bundle of other devices.
Your first job is to choose one. There are hundreds of companies that sell them.
Some of the best include ExpressVPN, IPVanish and CyberGhost VPN. I’ve been using ExpressVPN to watch the BBC iPlayer because I find them the most reliable plus they’ve got a 30-day money back guarantee on the off chance you can’t get it working (don’t promise your kids Zog watching until you’ve tested it).
There are loads of other VPN providers too such as NordVPN, VPN Hub, VyprVPN, PrivateInternetAccess and the list goes on and on.
Don’t stress over it too much, just choose one. Although you really can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN.
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2) Download the VPN app
Once you’ve signed up you’ll need to download the VPN app. If you’re using a desktop or laptop then you can get the app directly on the VPN provider’s website. The ExpressVPN one is in their ‘Products’ section.
For tablets and phones just visit your usual app store and search for ‘ExpressVPN’ or whichever VPN you ended up signing up for.
Now the important bit, remember to connect to the UK. You really can’t go wrong as long as you remember to choose and connect to the UK.
3) Head over to the BBC iPlayer site
Once you’re connected to the VPN app it’s all plain sailing from here.
Just head over to the BBC iPlayer website here at the time Zog is being shown. You can now watch Zog ‘live’ as its shown in the UK in your country.
Don’t worry if you mess up the timing or the live show isn’t convenient for your country. You can watch Zog on catch-up for up to 30-days after it is shown.
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How can I watch on a mobile or tablet
If you would rather your little ones watch on a mobile or tablet (yes, we all know it’s less hassle) then you’ll need to download the BBC iPlayer app.
You’re unlikely to be able to do this directly from the app store because you’re not in the UK.
In that case if you’ve got an Android device then download it here. Just visit that link using your mobile device’s web-browser.
If you’ve got an Apple iPhone or iPad then you’ll need to consult this guide that shows you how to download the BBC iPlayer app outside the UK.
Recap: How to watch Zog outside the UK
If you’ve got little ones and they love dragons or they just love Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Zog then watching the BBC’s Christmas animation is a must.
It’s being shown on the BBC iPlayer but this is only available in the UK.
To watch Zog in any other country you’ll need a VPN app from ExpressVPN. This will let you watch Zog in your country keeping your kids quiet on Christmas day for at least an hour.
Once you’ve signed up for ExpressVPN, download their app and connect to the UK. Then head over to BBC iPlayer where you can watch Zog until you’re all Zogged out.
What country will you be watching Zog in? I would love to know so why not drop a comment in the section below?
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