How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Canada [2025 Guide]

Wondering How to get BBC iPlayer in Canada? Sadly, BBC iPlayer is not available in Canada due to streaming rights. Though, you can use premium VPN to watch BBC from Canada without any problem.

That’s our cue to entry – whether you’re out vacationing or actually reside in Canada but want to access BBC iPlayer, we’ve got ways to help you.

All About BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is one of the largest online content-streaming services, with loads of great TV shows, television, and films.

Whether you stumbled upon BBC searching for a show like ‘Peaky Blinders Season 6‘ ‘Killing Eve,’ ‘His Dark Materials,’ ‘Doctor Foster‘, ‘The Responder,’ ‘Darcula,’ ‘Waterloo Road, “Ghosts‘, ‘I May Destroy You,’ or The Split this streaming service has every taste of the content.

Why BBC iPlayer is not Available in Canada?

BBC is not available for Canadians due to content rights issues. Its only accessible from UK an does now work from any other countries.

But still, there is a way to access BBC in Canada by obtaining a UK IP address with the help of a VPN. Here is how you can watch BBC iPlayer in Canada.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Canada [4 Easy Steps]

Follow these 4 steps to watch BBC iPlayer in Canada on your devices:

1. Sign up and download a VPN – I recommend NordVPN.
2. Install VPN app on your device and sign in.
3. Connect to the UK server available in list.
4. Visit BBC iPlayer, create your free account and start streaming.

There you go – you must have unrestricted access to the BBC iPlayer Canada. Now just follow the mentioned below steps If you don’t know how to create a free BBC iPlayer account in Canada.

How to Get BBC iPlayer Account in Canada?

1. Connect to the UK server using a VPN, head to BBC iPlayer, and click on “Sign in.“
2. Now click on “Register Now.”
3. Now click on “16 or over.”
4. Enter your date of birth and click “Continue.”
5. Now enter all the required details and click “Register” (make sure you select United Kingdom). Also, you can find UK postal codes easily on Google.

VPNs make it easy, don’t they? The hard part is selecting a VPN that isn’t blocked by BBC already!

Best VPNs to Stream BBC iPlayer in Canada

Yes – that’s the catch. BBC can’t display its content to viewers outside of the UK due to licensing problems. So, VPNs tend to be blocked very frequently by BBC, and you’ll need a premium service to get a BBC iPlayer or BBC One live stream outside the UK.

With that said, there are still a few great VPN services that aren’t blocked by BBC. Here’s a list of some of the best VPN services you can subscribe to right away:

NordVPN – Best VPN for BBC iPlayer

NordVPN is another good option to stream BBC iPlayer in Canada. This provider offers 5000+ servers in 59+ countries, including 400+ British servers.

We tested 50 UK servers of this provider. 75% of them works with BBC iPlayer in Canada on different devices.

All of its servers come with SmartPlay feature that allows you to access geo-blocked streaming services regardless of your location. It also bypasses geo-blocked streaming services that are highly in demand but not available in Canada such as Hulu, HBO Max, US Netflix, MGM+, Sling TV, The CW and Peacock TV in Canada.

NordVPN offers six simultaneous connections on a single subscription and has dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV and Firestick.

SurfShark

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for securing multiple devices with one subscription. It features AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and CleanWeb to block ads and malware, ensuring private and safe browsing for all users.

With 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark easily bypasses geo-restrictions on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Its Bypasser feature allows selective app routing, and its servers are optimized for smooth, buffer-free streaming, making it a versatile and cost-effective VPN choice.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock popular geo-restricted streaming services, including BBC iPlayer in Canada because of it’s lightning-fast servers, easy-to-use apps, and excellent unblocking capabilities.

This provider network has 3000+ super-fast servers available in 90+ countries. We tested ExpressVPN’s 50 out of 500+ UK servers to unblock BBC iPlayer in Edmonton, Canada. 98% of them, allow us to stream “Doctor Who”, “I May Destroy You”, and “His Dark Materials” on BBC iPlayer in HD without any buffering lag.

Apart from BBC iPlayer, this provider can unblock other English streaming services such as Channel 4, ITVX, ABC, PBS, SkySports, 9Now and more in Canada.

This provider offers apps on all the popular streaming devices, including Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android (smartphones, tablets & smart TVs), Linux, Amazon Firestick, and Fire TV.

And in case you are looking to watch BBC iPlayer in Canada on devices like Apple TV, Roku, Smart TV (without Android), Xbox, and Playstation, you can do that by set up ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) on one of these devices or set up it on your home router.

How VPN Allows you to Unblock iPlayer in Canada

VPNs may seem technical, but their function is straightforward. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Let’s say you’re in Canada, trying to access BBC iPlayer, but it’s blocked. Once you hit the “connect” button on your VPN, it routes your internet traffic through a server in the UK. This server acts as an intermediary between you and BBC iPlayer.

When you connect to the VPN, your data packets are securely encrypted and sent to the VPN server, which then communicates with the BBC iPlayer server. As a result, it appears as though you’re browsing from the UK, bypassing regional restrictions. Additionally, your ISP and government can no longer track your online activities, ensuring privacy and security.

BBC iPlayer Canada should be waiting for you, and your connection is as secure as security goes…!

Can I Watch BBC in Canada Online with a Free VPN?

We’ve covered this before – BBC is quick to ban VPN servers. So, what are the chances that BBC hasn’t already blocked your free VPN server? Not very high.

Though that’s not the only reason why you should always steer clear of these free VPN servers.

There’s no surety of security, the speeds are miserable, and the annoying adverts will make sure your browsing experience is terrible.

If there’s one thing we all like during our streaming sessions, it’s to not be bothered during that sacred time.

In summary – if you do get lucky with a free VPN (which I doubt you would) and you don’t mind seeing annoying ads, then have a go at it! If not, a premium VPN is the way forward.

What Can I Watch on BBC Canada Online?

Now that we’re past the question, “how to get BBC iPlayer in Canada,” it’s time to answer some entertaining questions. What are some of the greatest titles on the streaming platform right now?

We’ll do you one better – here’s a list of the top 10 movies and TV shows available on iPlayer right now:

On What Devices Can I Watch BBC in Canada Online?

Luckily, the VPN services we’ve recommended and BBC iPlayer has support for several device types. Not only that, but you can also sign in to your accounts on both your phone and laptops – or wherever you’d like.

Still not sure if your device is applicable? Whether you’re in the US or Canada BBC iPlayer can run on the following devices (and others):

1. Desktop/PC (Windows and Mac)
2. iPhone/iPad
3. Android phones and tablets
4. Amazon FireStick/Fire TV
5. Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Vizio, Philips, Sony and etc.)
6. Roku
7. Apple TV
8. PlayStation
9. Xbox
10. Google Chromecasts and Chromebooks
11. Televisions

How to Download BBC iPlayer App in Canada?

How to Download BBC iPlayer on iPhone/iPad?

Here is how you can download the BBC iPlayer app in Canada on your iPhone/iPad:

1. First, go to “Settings” on your iOS device, and click on your profile.
2. Now tap on the “Media & Purchases”, then tap on “View Account”. It will ask your “Passcode” or “Touch ID” for verification. Enter your “Passcode” or “Touch ID”.
3. Now tap on “Country/Region” -> “Change Country or Region”, then select the United Kingdom as your country.
4. Once you select the United Kingdom, the “Terms and Conditions” page will open. Select “Agree” to proceed.
5. Now enter all the required details. In the address section, you need to provide a UK address and postal code that you can easily find it on Google.
6. Now enter “Done” and wait for the process.
7. Once the process is complete, now your App Store region is changed to the UK. Go to App Store and download the BBC iPlayer app.
8. After downloading the BBC iPlayer app, open the VPN app, connect to the UK server and start watching!

How to Download BBC iPlayer App on Android Devices?

To get the BBC iPlayer app in Canada on your Android device (smartphone/tablet/smart TV), you need to change your Google Play Store location from Canada to the UK.

Here’s how you can download the BBC iPlayer app in Canada on Android devices:

1. Download and sign up for a VPN on your Android device if you don’t have it already.
2. Now launch the VPN app and connect to the UK server.
3. Open the Google Play Store and tap on the hamburger menu and go to Account.
4. Now select the switch your region or country and set it to the UK.
5. Once your region changed to the U.K., search for the BBC iPlayer app and download it.
6. Open the BBC iPlayer app, sign in and start streaming in Canada.

How to Download BBC iPlayer on Amazon Firestick/Fire TV?

Here is how you can get the BBC iPlayer app in Canada on your Amazon Firestick/Fire TV devices:

1. Visit the Amazon website and log in to your existing account.
2. Now click on the “Accounts & Lists” option and then click on “Your Accounts and Content”
3. Now change your region to the UK from Canada.
4. Connect your Amazon Firestick device with your TV and then click on “Settings”.
5. Log out or deregister your account and then sign in back.
6. Now download the BBC iPlayer app and VPN app from App Store.
7. Open the VPN app and connect to the UK server.
8. Open the BBC iPlayer app, sign in and start watching.

How to Get BBC iPlayer in Canada on Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, & Smart TV?

Getting BBC iPlayer app in Canada on devices like Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation & Samsung Smart TV is a bit difficult since they do not support VPN app directly.

So, if you want to stream BBC iPlayer on any of these streaming devices, there are two ways to access it; either set up a Smart DNS on one of these devices or directly set up it on your home router and select the UK as your location.

And this is what we don’t recommend to our users especially those who don’t know much about smart DNS and VPN configuration on home routers.

Because of all this, we find two ways simple ways to get BBC iPlayer on the big screen while living in Canada.

First, you can use Google Chromecast to cast on the big screen and watch BBC iPlayer in Canada.

Second, we would suggest you go for an Amazon Firestick/Fire TV device to watch BBC iPlayer on the big screen as it supports VPN apps directly.

What BBC Channels Can I Watch in Canada?

If you’ve purchased the TV license offered to you at the start, you should also have access to the following list of BBC iPlayer channels for free:

1. BBC One (BBC1)
2. BBC Two
3. Radio1
4. BBC Three
5. BBC Four
6. CBBC
7. BBC Scotland
8. BBC News
9. CBeebies
10. BBC Parliament
11. ALBA
12. BBC S4C

One quick disclaimer – for BBC iPlayer Canada, 2016 marked the changes in strategies. Following this change of policy, all users were now required to log in to the BBC before they could continue with iPlayer or the TV channels. Though there was no requirement to pay for a TV license.

Final Thoughts

VPNs are the true bastions of the Internet. Geo-restrictions like BBC iPlayer Canada can easily be bypassed, and you’ll be free to stream your favorite content in no time.

Again, you should only prefer premium VPNs over the wildly insecure free VPNs out there. So, what’s stopping you from a bag of chips and an entertaining show on the TV? Stream now!