How to watch Survivor UK in Spain: Same day as the UK (2023)

The third season of Survivor UK has begun, but if you’re trying to watch it outside the UK, you may struggle. As of time of writing no countries outside of the UK, other than Australia have picked up the latest season for broadcasting. This means it won’t be available to watch outside the UK.

This can be frustrating if you’re trying to get your Survivor fix but can’t. However, there’s no need to panic. There’s an easy way to watch Survivor UK anywhere in the world.

All you need to do is gain access to the UK-based streaming service BBC iPlayer. And to do that, you need a VPN.

This article will explain how to watch Survivor UK in Spain so you can watch every episode at the same time as everyone back home.

How to watch Survivor UK in Spain: Quick Guide

How to create a BBC iPlayer account in Spain

Creating a BBC iPlayer account in Spain is easy. It’s a free streaming service so it doesn’t require any UK-based payments.

All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Make sure you’re connected to a UK server on ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.19/month).
2. Access the BBC iPlayer website
3. Create an account by following all the prompts
4. When it asks for a UK postcode, you can get one here
5. You’ll now have a BBC iPlayer account

When you try and watch Survivor UK on BBC iPlayer in Spain, make sure you always connect to a UK server on your chosen VPN first.

Why can’t I watch BBC iPlayer in Spain?

BBC iPlayer is a streaming service offered by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that allows viewers to catch up on a wide range of BBC programming via the internet. However, this service is not available in Spain, and there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the BBC is funded by the UK television licence fee, which is a mandatory payment required from all UK households that watch or record live television broadcasts, or use BBC iPlayer. The licence fee is used to fund BBC services, including TV, radio, and online content. Since BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK public, it is designed to be a service for UK residents. As a result, access to BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted, meaning that it can only be accessed from within the UK.

The geo-restriction is enforced using IP address location checking. When a user attempts to access BBC iPlayer, the service checks the user’s IP address to determine their location. If the user is located outside the UK, access to the service is blocked. This is why BBC iPlayer is not available in Spain, or any other country outside the UK.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer in Spain?

Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer in Spain, but there are a few things you need to know. BBC iPlayer is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of television shows, films, and live events from the BBC. However, it is primarily designed for viewers in the UK and is geo-restricted, meaning that you cannot access it directly from Spain or any other country outside the UK.

To watch BBC iPlayer in Spain, you will need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet, and it can be used to disguise your location by routing your internet connection through a server in a different country. By connecting to a UK-based server, you can make it appear as though you are browsing from within the UK, thereby gaining access to BBC iPlayer.

However, it’s important to note that the BBC has implemented measures to detect and block VPNs, so not all VPNs will work. You will need to choose a reliable VPN provider that is known to work with BBC iPlayer. Additionally, using a VPN to access content that is geo-restricted may violate the terms of service of the streaming service, and it could potentially lead to your account being blocked.

Once you have chosen a VPN, you will need to download and install the VPN software on your device, create an account, and connect to a UK-based server. After doing this, you should be able to access BBC iPlayer and watch content as if you were in the UK. Keep in mind that you will also need to have a valid UK TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer, and you may be asked to confirm this before you can access certain content.

Which VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?

How to watch Survivor UK in Spain: FAQs

Q: Can I watch Survivor UK directly in Spain without any additional tools or services?

Answer: No, Survivor UK is geo-restricted, which means you cannot watch it directly in Spain. You will need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the content as if you were in the UK.

Q: Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Survivor UK in Spain?

Answer: Using a VPN is legal in many countries, including Spain and the UK. However, it may violate the terms of service of the streaming platform, and there’s a risk of your account being blocked if you’re caught using a VPN.

Q: Which VPN is recommended to watch Survivor UK in Spain?

Answer: Choose a reliable and reputable VPN service known for being able to bypass geo-restrictions and that offers servers in the UK. Some popular choices include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Q: Do I need a subscription to watch Survivor UK?

Answer: No, BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service that doesn’t require a subscription.

Q: What kind of internet speed do I need to stream Survivor UK in Spain without buffering?

Answer: A minimum speed of 3 Mbps is recommended for standard definition streaming, but for high-definition streaming, you should aim for a speed of 5 Mbps or higher. However, keep in mind that using a VPN might slow down your connection, so a faster internet connection could be required.

The VPN services we recommend for BBC iPlayer (2023)

Alternatives to VPNs for watching Survivor UK in Spain

There are a few alternatives to using VPNs when attempting to access BBC iPlayer from Spain, or other regions outside of the UK. However, it’s essential to note that VPNs remain the most reliable and secure option for such tasks. Here’s a look at some alternatives, but remember, VPNs still take the top spot:

1. DNS Proxies: One common alternative to VPNs is using DNS (Domain Name System) proxies. These tools reroute only the DNS queries instead of all your internet traffic. By changing your device’s DNS settings to those provided by the proxy service, you might be able to trick services like BBC iPlayer into thinking you’re in the UK. However, these services aren’t as secure as VPNs, and streaming platforms can often detect and block them more easily.
2. Browser Extensions: Some browser extensions claim to bypass geo-restrictions and allow access to services like BBC iPlayer. These extensions work similarly to VPNs but only within the browser, and they don’t encrypt your entire internet connection. The downside is that they can be less reliable and might expose users to security risks, like data breaches or malware.
3. Tor (The Onion Router): The Tor network is primarily known for ensuring anonymity online. By using the Tor Browser, it’s theoretically possible to access BBC iPlayer by choosing an exit node in the UK. However, this method is far from perfect. Streaming over Tor can be excruciatingly slow due to its multi-layered encryption, and the BBC may block known Tor exit nodes. Furthermore, using Tor for such purposes isn’t recommended as it can slow down the network for those who genuinely need it for privacy reasons.

While these alternatives can sometimes work, they come with their drawbacks. VPNs, on the other hand, are designed to encrypt your entire internet connection, ensuring both security and privacy. Leading VPN providers frequently update their servers and IP addresses, making it challenging for platforms like BBC iPlayer to detect and block them. For ease of use, reliability, and security, VPNs remain the best option for accessing geo-restricted content like the BBC iPlayer from Spain or anywhere else outside the UK.

Will a free VPN work with BBC iPlayer?

Using a free VPN to access BBC iPlayer from outside the United Kingdom may not always prove successful. BBC iPlayer employs robust VPN detection techniques to block access to its content from users connecting through VPNs, particularly free ones. This is because BBC iPlayer’s content is meant to be exclusively available to UK residents due to licensing restrictions.

Free VPNs often have limited server options and a high number of users, making it easier for services like BBC iPlayer to identify and blacklist their IP addresses. Moreover, free VPNs may not invest as much in technology and infrastructure as paid VPN services, potentially resulting in slower connection speeds and less reliable access. Streaming high-quality video content requires a stable and fast internet connection, which free VPNs may not be able to provide consistently.

Furthermore, using a free VPN can pose significant risks to your online privacy and security. Some free VPN providers have been known to log users’ internet activity, sell user data to third parties, or even install malware on users’ devices. Given these risks, it is crucial to thoroughly research and consider the potential implications before opting for a free VPN service.

Is watching BBC iPlayer with a VPN legal?

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, asthe 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?