If you’re trying to watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar, you’re going to run into errors like this. “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”
This error is coming up because the BBC doesn’t have the rights to broadcast its content in Qatar.
The good news is there’s an easy way to get around this issue. All you need to do is change your Qatari IP address to a UK IP address.
In this article, I’ll show you how to watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar using a reliable VPN.
See also:
- How to watch BBC iPlayer abroad: The EASY 2-minute method! (June 2022)
- BBC iPlayer not working with VPN (Updated August 2021): Here’s how I FIXED that!
How to watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar: Quick Guide
To watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar; follow these simple steps:
Create a new account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month)
Download and install the new VPN app
Select a server in the UK
Watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar
Why can’t I watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar?
The reason you can’t watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar is because the BBC is blocking your connection.
It does this because it doesn’t have the rights to broadcast its content outside the UK. BBC iPlayer is a UK-based streaming service for UK customers only. If you’re in Qatar, you won’t be able to access the streaming sites content.
The BBC has copyright and licensing agreements with its content partners that stipulate it can only show its content in the UK. If it allowed users outside the United Kingdom to access iPlayer’s content, the BBC could be punished with severe fines.
To prevent this from happening, the BBC blocks anyone outside the UK from accessing its service. And these blocks are why you cannot access BBC iPlayer in Qatar.

How does the BBC block my connection?
When you connect to BBC iPlayer it scans your IP address to determine your physical location.
Whenever you go online your device is given a unique IP address. This IP is used to communicate between your device and the website or app you’re going to, in this case, BBC iPlayer.
The issue here is in order for this communication to work, your IP address contains information about your physical location.
When you connect to BBC iPlayer in Qatar, the BBC scans your IP address, figures out you’re in Qatar and it will block the connection. This is why the “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues” error is coming up.
Can I get around the BBC’s blocks?
Yes you can and the process is simple.
To get around these blocks you need to change your Qatari IP address to a UK IP address.
Reliable VPNs like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.49/month) make this process easy. All you need to do is download one of these VPNs, connect to a UK server and you’ll be given a UK IP address.
Now when BBC iPlayer scans your IP, it’ll think you’re in the UK and you’ll be able to access its content while in Qatar. It’s that easy!

How do VPNs work?
VPNs encrypt all of your online data into an unreadable code. They then reroute this data through one of their servers (which you can choose) where it is decrypted and sent to a local ISP (internet service provider).
The country you select is where you’re data will be sent and this country is where the IP address the VPN gives you will be based.
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK, you’ll need a UK IP address so you’ll want your data to be sent to a VPN server in the UK.
This process will give you an anonymous internet connection meaning the BBC cannot determine where you’re based, but you’ll also have an IP address from the UK. So now you can watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar.
Will any VPN work?
The VPNs that work with BBC iPlayer are the ones that can get around the BBC’s VPN blocking techniques.
The BBC tries to block VPNs because they allow people to watch BBC iPlayer content outside of its broadcast zone (the UK).
The BBC does this using three main techniques:
- The most common technique is to do with the IP addresses that your VPN can provide. VPN providers have more customers than IP addresses; this means that customers are forced to share the same IP addresses. Usually, only a household with a few devices uses the same IP address. When The BBC sees hundreds or even thousands of connections coming through on the same IP address, it knows that it is a VPN and it blocks it.
- The BBC monitors for IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks that can tip the service off you are using a VPN.
- The BBC teams up with GeoIP databases like Maxmind to identify IP addresses. If the IP address your VPN provides is on one of these databases, The BBC will be able to find out where in the world you are connecting to the internet from and it will block you.
These measures are hard for lesser VPNs to get around and it could result in you spending money on a VPN that isn’t going to work.
Fortunately the best VPNs, ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.49/month) have measures in place to stay one step ahead of these blocks. When an IP address provided by these VPNs is blocked by the BBC, ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.49/month) will close that IP address and open a new one. This will allow you to watch BBC iPlayer while in Qatar.

The best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer in Qatar
1. ExpressVPN
The fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2022

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 10-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
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2. NordVPN
A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Pro
- Fast servers
- No logs
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 6-simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- No refunds for purchases from iTunes/App store
SPECIAL OFFER – $3.49/month
3. Ivacy
The great low-cost VPN option

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- Dedicated streaming servers
- 5-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 5 devices
- Sometimes runs slow
- Occasionally blocked by streaming sites
SPECIAL OFFER: 7-DAY TRIAL ($0.99)
4. Private Internet Access
The BEST mid-range VPN for streaming!
Pros
- Fast and reliable servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 10-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 48 server locations
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE 82%!
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5. CyberGhost

Pros
- 1-day free trial
- Reliable servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 7-simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
- Average speed scores
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
30-day money-back guarantee