Watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland for FREE, Live Broadcast
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| Watch BBC iPlayer for FREE in Ireland. Photo Private VPN |
From its humble beginnings as a glitchy website few bothered to use, to becoming the cutting edge catch-up service that’s earned the BBC massive praise and countless imitators, the BBC iPlayer catch up service has certainly been on quite the journey.
Despite the broadcaster facing tough competition in the streaming service market where huge conglomerates such as Amazon, Disney, and Netflix are all vying for subscriptions, the BBC's on demand service retains high viewership levels, recording 4.8 billion requests to stream its content in 2019/20.
Yeah, we know what you're thinking. This is great if you are based in the United Kingdom and have unlimited access to BBC iPlayer. However, if you are living in Ireland and blocked from accessing your favourite BBC programmes, we have a solution for you.
How to watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland for FREE
1. Download Chrome Browser (If you aren't using it already)
2. Install the Beebs Chrome Extension
3. Register for BBC iPlayer
Once you've completed the steps listed above, you can start watching BBC iPlayer straight away from anywhere within the Republic of Ireland. Happy viewing!
As a quick side not: Beebs not only lets you watch the BBC iPlayer catch-up service, but it also gives you access to stream TV shows on All4 and ITV Hub in Ireland.
How can you access the BBC iPlayer on-demand service from Ireland?
Option 1: Pay for a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
By far and away the most popular method of accessing the different streaming services is by purchasing a VPN. The solution provided by a VPN seems simple since it works by accessing the iPlayer servers by making it appear as if your device is located within the UK.
Once a VPN has been installed and set to the UK as a location, it may or may not work with BBC iPlayer or the other British TV providers such as ITV Hub or All4. It really does depend on the quality of the VPN. You may also need a bit of technical knowledge to use a VPN if things go wrong.
It should be noted that not every VPN is built the same. It may be a case of trial and error finding the right VPN that is actually able to access the BBC servers. Some VPN's might not work at all. Spending time to research a good VPN that can truly access British TV is crucial in saving both time and money.
Option 2: Find a BBC Proxy Server
Another option would be to find a proxy server which is similar to a VPN but much more lightweight. Once you are connected to a proxy server for British TV, your internet traffic is sent to the proxy before going on to the website or address you requested. Using a BBC proxy server ensures that you’re never in direct contact with sites you visit on the web.
If you just need to watch BBC iPlayer for a short time, this could be a good option. A proxy server may not be the right tool if you want to binge watch an entire box set. If you wanted to see the entirety of the BBC's latest drama smash His Dark Materials then you might not be able to since there is usually a limit on the bandwidth you can use with any free version of a proxy server.
Option 3: Subscribe to Beebs Chrome Extension
Here at Beebs we have developed another (and best) option for you. The Beebs Google Chrome Extension is a simple add on that has been designed to help you access BBC iPlayer from Ireland or indeed anywhere in the world.
Once Beebs installed, you click on the extension icon and are connected to a server located in the UK and are able to easily view iPlayer or other UK geo-blocked channels such as All4 and ITV Hub. You will be back to watching catch-up from Ireland on the BBC in no time at all.
| Why does the BBC block people from outside the UK from accessing BBC iPlayer service from places like Ireland? Whether it was enjoying the incredible performances on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, catching up on the latest Premier League drama on Match of the Day, or seeing the boys from Top Gear take on the craziest of challenges imaginable, it is safe to say that the BBC is hitting top form going into 2021. But, unfortunately, international viewers are blocked from streaming these type of BBC shows due to rights issues. The catch-up service, access to news programmes, the 'watch from start' feature and some great drama are examples of what people living in the Ireland miss out on because they can't watch the BBC iPlayer. True, many people can access the BBC channels through their satellite and cable providers - but being unable to watch programmes on catch up is frustrating especially if all you want to do is watch a few episodes of Eastenders you missed (through no fault of your own!) or the first episode of that new drama everyone at work was talking about. |
Best Shows on BBC iPlayer Ireland
Here are few of the many popular shows available on BBC iPlayer:
Normal People
The Nest
What We Do in the Shadows
Killing Eve
Line of Duty
Spooks
Doctor Who
Last Tango in Halifax
This Country
Torchwood
Inside No 9
Absolutely Fabulous
The Trial of Christine Keeler
Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends
His Dark Materials
How to sign up to the BBC in Ireland
On your TV, you don't need to sign up or input any information. However, if you've never used BBC iPlayer before, you'll need to make a free account to watch on your PC or mobile.
All you need to submit is a date of birth, an email address, and a UK postcode (a random postcode can easily be found if, for any reason, you don't want to submit your own).
You'll be asked to verify your email address, although it appears that's not a necessary step for actually watching content on-site.
From there, all you need to do is either click 'channels' and select which live broadcast you want to watch, or pick something to stream on-demand.
| BBC iPlayer account When you register for a BBC account (which is free) you'll need to give your date of birth, gender, and email address, along with a valid UK postcode. The BBC says that the aim of the account isn't to pursue iPlayer users who haven't paid for a TV Licence, but admitted that it will cross-reference the email addresses with people who've previously claimed not to need a licence. If you're a British resident with a paid-up licence fee, simply sign into your BBC account and use a VPN service as described above. You're still breaking the Ts and Cs by watching via a VPN, just like anyone abroad who signs up with a fake UK address. |
| Best streaming service alternatives for BBC iPlayer BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming service in the UK. If you don’t live there, the best streaming service alternatives for BBC iPlayer are Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and the list goes on. Netflix is a streaming service accessible from all around the world. However, its library differs from one continent to the other. For instance, the US library is the most extensive. Even so, installing a VPN will let you access Netflix from anywhere in the world. Hulu is yet another streaming service that geo-blocks its content. Only US residents have access to it. Once again, you can access Hulu from anywhere as long as you install a VPN. HBO Max is the same as Hulu. It streams only in the USA. The only way to access HBO Max outside the US is to download and install a VPN. |
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