How to watch Survivor UK in the US: All NEW episodes! (2023)

On October 28th, 2023, a new season of Survivor UK was released. But unfortunately, no one has picked up the show for broadcasting in the US. This means it isn’t available on any US-based streaming services.

This can be frustrating, however there’s an easy and affordable way to watch every episode of Survivor UK in the US, the same day as the UK. All you need to do is gain access to the free streaming service, BBC iPlayer.

This can be a bit tricky because BBC iPlayer isn’t available in the US, however if you trick iPlayer into thinking you’re accessing it from within the UK you can gain access to every episode of Survivor and all of the rest of the content avaialble on BBC iPlayer.

The easiest way to gain access to BBC iPlayer in the US is with a reliable VPN. This article will explain everything you need to do and crucially will run you through how to watch Survivor UK in the US.

How to watch Survivor UK in the US: Quick Guide

To watch Survivor UK in the US, follow these simple steps:

How to create a BBC iPlayer account in the US

Creating a BBC iPlayer account in the US 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 the US, make sure you always connect to a UK server on your chosen VPN first.

Why isn’t BBC iPlayer available in the US?

BBC iPlayer is a streaming service offered by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), primarily intended for viewers within the United Kingdom. One of the main reasons it is not available in the US is due to licensing and copyright restrictions. The BBC operates under a specific broadcasting remit in the UK, funded by the TV licence fee paid by UK households. This unique funding model allows the BBC to create and distribute content without relying on advertising revenue. However, it also means that the content is intended exclusively for a UK audience.

The licensing agreements for shows and films on the BBC iPlayer are typically negotiated on a territorial basis. This means that the BBC acquires the rights to broadcast or stream a show within the UK, but not necessarily in other countries. In order to make the iPlayer available in the US, the BBC would need to secure additional licensing agreements for all of the content available on the platform, which could be a complex and costly endeavour. Moreover, many shows and films available on the iPlayer may already have existing licensing agreements with other broadcasters or streaming services in the US, further complicating the situation.

Why do I need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in the US?

When attempting to access BBC iPlayer from the United States or any other country outside the UK, you will be greeted with an error message indicating that the content is not available in your region. This is because BBC iPlayer uses geo-blocking technology to determine your location based on your IP address, a unique string of numbers and dots assigned to your internet connection.

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, provides a solution to this geographical limitation by allowing you to change your IP address to one located in the UK. When you connect to a VPN server located in the United Kingdom, it creates a secure tunnel between your device and the server, encrypting your internet traffic. To websites and online services, it appears as though you are accessing the internet from the location of the VPN server rather than your actual location. Therefore, by using a VPN to connect to a server in the UK, you can effectively “trick” BBC iPlayer into thinking you are within the permissible region, granting you access to its content.

Will any VPN work with BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer is renowned for its stringent geo-restrictions, which are in place due to licensing agreements for the content it hosts. This means that in order to access BBC iPlayer, a user must typically be located within the United Kingdom. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can circumvent these restrictions by masking the user’s actual IP address and making it appear as though they are accessing the service from a UK-based location.

However, it’s crucial to note that not all VPNs are capable of bypassing BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions. The BBC employs advanced technology to detect and block IP addresses associated with VPNs. As a result, many VPN providers find it challenging to stay one step ahead of these detection mechanisms. Some VPNs are known to work more reliably with BBC iPlayer than others, often due to their ability to regularly update their server IP addresses and employ various obfuscation techniques to evade detection.

When choosing a VPN for BBC iPlayer, it’s important to select a provider that explicitly states compatibility with the streaming service. The VPN should have servers located in the UK and a track record of successfully bypassing BBC iPlayer’s restrictions. Speed is another crucial factor to consider, as streaming video content requires a fast and stable connection to ensure a high-quality viewing experience.

Which VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?

How to watch Survivor UK in the US: FAQs

Q: Can I watch Survivor UK from the US without a VPN?

Answer: Unfortunately, Survivor UK is geographically restricted and typically only available to viewers within the UK. Therefore, you will need a VPN to mask your US IP address and obtain a UK IP address to access the show.

Q: Which VPN service is recommended for streaming Survivor UK in the US?

Answer: There are several reputable VPN services that are capable of bypassing geographical restrictions and providing a stable connection. Some of the top recommendations include ExpressVPN and NordVPN, as they offer a wide array of UK servers and robust security features.

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

Answer: Using a VPN in itself is legal in the US and most other countries. However, bypassing geographical restrictions to access content may violate the terms of service of the BBC iPlayer streaming platform. It’s important to review the terms and conditions of the service you are using.

Q: Will using a VPN affect the streaming quality of Survivor UK?

Answer: While a VPN can potentially slow down your internet connection due to the encryption process and the distance of the server, premium VPN services are designed to minimise this impact. Choosing a server located in the UK should provide you with a sufficient connection speed for streaming.

Q: Are there any free options to watch Survivor UK in the US?

Answer: Free options may exist but they often come with significant risks and limitations. Free streaming websites can expose your device to malware and intrusive ads. Additionally, free VPNs may not reliably bypass geographical restrictions and can compromise your privacy. For a secure and reliable viewing experience, it is recommended to use official streaming services in conjunction with a premium VPN.

The VPN services we recommend for BBC iPlayer (2023)

Are there alternatives to VPNS when trying to watch BBC iPlayer in the US?

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are widely regarded as the most effective and secure method for accessing geo-restricted content like BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. This is because a VPN not only masks your actual IP address, making it appear as though you are accessing the internet from a different location, but it also encrypts your internet traffic. This encryption enhances your online privacy and security, protecting your data from potential interception or surveillance. Moreover, VPNs are versatile and can be used across various devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, ensuring consistent access to geo-restricted content. They also typically provide a more reliable and stable connection compared to other methods, ensuring a smoother streaming experience when watching BBC iPlayer from the US.

However, there are alternatives if you’re trying to watch BBC iPlayer in the US.

One common method is using a Smart DNS service. This works by rerouting the DNS queries from your device through a server located in the UK, tricking BBC iPlayer into thinking you are accessing it from within the region. This method is often favoured for its ability to provide faster streaming speeds compared to VPNs, as it does not encrypt your traffic. However, it does not provide the same level of privacy and security that a VPN offers.

Another option is to use a proxy server. Similar to a VPN, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet, hiding your actual IP address. While proxies can be quicker to set up and may offer faster speeds than some VPNs, they do not encrypt your internet traffic, leaving you more vulnerable to surveillance and cyber threats.

Which streaming services is Survivor UK on?

In the UK, Survivor is being broadcast on BBC iPlayer. It’s also being broadcast on 10Play in Australia.

If for some reason you can’t access BBC iPlayer you can try accessing 10Play by using the same methods listed above except, instead of connecting to a UK server on your VPN, you’ll need to connect to an Australian server.

Will a free VPN work with BBC iPlayer?

Utilising a free VPN to access BBC iPlayer can be hit or miss, largely dependent on the VPN service in question. BBC iPlayer employs sophisticated technology to detect and block IP addresses associated with VPN servers. Many free VPN services, due to their limited resources and a vast number of users, tend to have their IP addresses blacklisted by BBC iPlayer fairly quickly. This is not to say that all free VPNs are incapable of bypassing these restrictions, but they are generally less reliable for this purpose compared to premium VPN services.

Another point to consider is the quality of service. Free VPNs often have a limited number of servers and can be overcrowded with users, resulting in slow and unstable connections. Streaming content on BBC iPlayer demands a stable and fast internet connection, especially for high-definition videos. Premium VPNs, with their extensive network of servers and advanced infrastructure, are better equipped to provide a seamless streaming experience.

Moreover, free VPNs can pose serious security and privacy risks. Some free VPN providers have been known to log user activity, inject ads, or even distribute malware. BBC iPlayer requires a UK IP address to work, and connecting to a dubious VPN server could compromise your online security and privacy.

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?