If you’re trying to watch the fifth season of the BBC tv show Ghosts in the US, you may struggle. As of time of writing the show isn’t available on any US-based streaming services.
This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve managed to watch the first four seasons and are craving the fifth.
Don’t panic, there’s an easy way to watch every episode of Ghosts (UK) in the US. All you need to do is gain access to BBC iPlayer.
This article will take you through all the steps you need to know in order to watch Ghosts in the US. It’s easy.
How to watch Ghosts Season 5 in the US
Total Time: 2 minutes
Create a new account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month)
To watch Ghosts in the US the first thing you need to do is create an account with ExpressVPN. If you click here you can save 49% on a 12-month plan and get your first three months free.
Download and install the new VPN app
Once you’ve signed up for ExpressVPN you can install it on nearly any device. ExpressVPN is available on Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Kindle, Amazon Fire Stick/TV, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, Android TV and more.
Open your new app and connect to a UK server
The easiest way to watch Ghosts in the US is via the UK-based streaming service, BBC iPlayer. Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer isn’t available in the US, however if you change your IP address to a UK-based IP address, you can trick the streaming service into thinking you’re accessing it from within the UK.
Connecting to a UK server on ExpressVPN will allow you to do this.
Connect to BBC iPlayer/or create an account if you don’t have one (more below)
Ensure you’re still connected to a UK server on ExpressVPN and visit the BBC iPlayer website. You’ll now have access to the platform and you’ll be able to make an account.
Watch Ghosts in the US
Once you’ve made an account you’ll be able to watch BBC iPlayer and all of its content, including Ghosts, in the US on any device. Just always ensure you’re connected to a UK server on ExpressVPN.
How to create a BBC iPlayer account outside the UK
Why can’t I watch BBC iPlayer in the US?
BBC iPlayer is a streaming service provided by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and it is designed to be accessible only within the United Kingdom. The primary reason you can’t watch BBC iPlayer in the U.S. is due to geographic content licensing restrictions. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Licensing and Rights Issues: The BBC holds the rights to broadcast certain shows and content only within the UK. This is a common practice in the media industry, where broadcasting rights are sold and licensed regionally. When a show is produced or acquired by the BBC, the rights to broadcast it are typically secured for the UK only.
Legal Obligations: As a public service broadcaster funded by the UK television license fee, the BBC is obligated to restrict its online services, including iPlayer, to UK residents. This ensures that those who are funding the service through license fees are the ones benefiting from it.
Geo-Blocking Technology: To enforce these restrictions, BBC iPlayer uses geo-blocking technology. This technology detects the user’s location based on their IP address. If the IP address indicates that the user is outside the UK, access to the service is blocked.
How does a VPN allow me to watch BBC iPlayer in the US?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can enable you to watch BBC iPlayer in the U.S. by masking your actual geographical location and making it appear as if you are accessing the internet from the United Kingdom. Here’s how it works:
IP Address Masking: Every device connected to the internet has an IP address, which includes information about the geographical location of the user. When you connect to BBC iPlayer, it checks your IP address to determine your location. If you’re outside the UK, iPlayer will block access.
VPN Connection: When you use a VPN, you connect to a server located in a different country—in this case, the UK. The VPN creates a secure and encrypted “tunnel” for your internet data.
Location Spoofing: Once you’re connected to a UK-based VPN server, your internet traffic appears as if it is coming from that server instead of your actual location in the U.S. This means that to BBC iPlayer, it looks like you are accessing the internet from within the UK.
Accessing BBC iPlayer: With your IP address appearing as if it’s from the UK, you can access BBC iPlayer just as someone physically in the UK would. The service recognizes the UK IP address and allows you to stream content.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: This method effectively bypasses the geo-blocking restrictions put in place by BBC iPlayer, allowing you to access its content from the U.S.
Will any VPN work with BBC iPlayer?
not every VPN will work with BBC iPlayer because the BBC has sophisticated technology to detect and block IP addresses from VPNs. The effectiveness of a VPN in accessing BBC iPlayer depends on its ability to avoid detection, the number of server locations in the UK, and the overall quality and performance of the VPN service. High-quality VPNs are typically better at disguising their traffic as regular traffic and regularly update their IP addresses to avoid detection. Additionally, the more UK servers a VPN has, the more likely it is to find one that isn’t blocked.
Free VPNs often struggle to work with BBC iPlayer as they have fewer resources to keep up with the BBC’s detection methods, and they often provide slower speeds and less stable connections, which are not ideal for streaming.
Which VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | PIA | Ivacy | CyberGhost | |
| BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Download Speed | 79 Mbps | 71 Mbps | 27 Mbps | 31 Mbps | 41 Mbps |
| Throttling | 79% | 71% | 27% | 31% | 41% |
| Stream quality | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Price per month | $6.66 | $3.79 | $2.03 | $1.00 | $2.19 |
The VPN services we recommend for BBC iPlayer
1. ExpressVPN 🥇 $6.66/month
The fastest and most reliable streaming VPN
- ✔Optimized for HD streaming speed
- ✔Wide network with 160 locations across 94 countries
- ✔Split tunneling feature to select apps using VPN
- ✔TrustedServer technology for enhanced security
- ❌Limited to 5 simultaneous device connections
ExpressVPN is an exceptional choice for accessing BBC iPlayer, thanks to its outstanding speed and reliability. This VPN service has a wide network of servers, including many in the UK optimised for streaming, ensuring minimal buffering and excellent streaming quality.
One of the key strengths of ExpressVPN is its ability to consistently overcome geographical restrictions, making it highly effective for accessing BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. In addition to its speed and reliability, ExpressVPN provides strong encryption protocols, ensuring privacy and security while streaming.
The service also boasts a user-friendly interface, which is compatible with a wide range of devices. For any assistance, users can rely on ExpressVPN’s 24/7 customer support, known for its responsiveness and helpfulness.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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2. NordVPN $3.19/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Extra encryption with Double VPN
- ✔Over 5,500 servers in 59 countries
- ✔SmartPlay technology to unblock 400+ geo-restricted streaming services
- ✔CyberSec feature for ad and malware blocking
- ❌The interface can be complex for new users
NordVPN is a top choice for streaming BBC iPlayer, thanks to its focus on robust security features and a large server network. It has numerous UK servers that are tailored for streaming services like BBC iPlayer, offering consistent speeds essential for buffer-free streaming.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology is specifically designed to bypass geographical restrictions and grant easy access to BBC iPlayer. Moreover, the service prioritises user privacy with strong encryption standards, ensuring that online activities remain confidential.
Compatibility with various devices and platforms makes NordVPN a versatile option for BBC iPlayer viewers, catering to a wide range of user needs.
Read our full NordVPN review.
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3. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔Strong encryption for secure connections
- ✔Extensive server network enhancing connectivity
- ✔Built-in ad and malware blocking
- ✔Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
- ❌Can have slower speeds
4. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔Cost-effective pricing
- ✔Servers optimized for P2P activities
- ✔Strict no browsing logs policy
- ✔Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections
- ❌Smaller server network compared to others
5. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Large server network with streaming-optimized servers
- ✔Strong encryption standards for security
- ✔Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- ✔Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Speed performance can be mixed
There are only a handful of countries (spot the authoritarianism link) where using a VPN is illegal; these are: China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Iraq, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Seychelles, Suriname, Namibia, Slovenia, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.
If you’re outside these countries and are using a VPN, you’re legally allowed to do so. However, it’s important to know that using a VPN with BBC iPlayer may breach the service’s terms of use.
In here it states: “You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer when you’re in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. If you’re outside these areas you need to check if your country has its own TV licensing scheme.”
What this means is if you’re accessing BBC iPlayer in a location that doesn’t have a TV licensing scheme with a VPN, then the BBC is within its rights to ban/block your connection or account.
However, with BBC iPlayer being a free streaming service that doesn’t require any sort of subscription, you aren’t obliged to accept a contractual agreement meaning there’s less restrictions when it comes to using a VPN with the streaming service.
This means, although BBC iPlayer will try and stop you from accessing its content with a VPN. It won’t ban your account for using one. However, as the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer use military-grade encryption, it’s impossible for BBC iPlayer to trace where you’re physically accessing its content from, making it very hard for the BBC to block your account.
Also, BBC iPlayer has never banned anyone for using a VPN to access its service.
For more information you can check out our article answering Is streaming with a VPN legal?
