Watch UK TV on your TV, with a UK VPN Router

Why UK Streaming Services Block Most VPNs (And How to Get Around It)

You’ve paid your licence fee. You’re abroad temporarily or living overseas. And all you want to do is watch BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Channel 4 like you would at home.

But instead, you get this:

“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”

Even when you’re using a VPN.

Why? Because most VPNs are easily blocked — and in this post, we’ll explain why it happens, why it’s getting worse, and how to fix it with a simple, reliable solution.

Why Do UK Streaming Services Block VPNs?

Streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer and ITVX have strict licensing agreements. These allow them to show content only to users physically located in the UK.

To enforce that, they look at your device’s IP address — the unique identifier tied to your internet connection.

The Problem with Most VPNs

Most popular VPN services use data centre IP addresses — blocks of IPs rented from commercial server farms.

Streaming platforms now maintain huge databases of these IP ranges. If your IP falls into one of these known blocks, access is instantly denied.

That’s why you might see:

Even if your VPN claims to offer UK servers, they’re usually shared, recycled and flagged.

What Is a Residential IP Address?

A residential IP is an IP address assigned to a real home broadband connection — not a server farm.

To BBC iPlayer or ITVX, it looks like you’re just another viewer watching from your living room in the UK.

This makes it:

Why a VPN Router with a Residential UK IP Works

A pre-configured VPN router with a UK residential IP gives you a full UK internet connection for your entire home — no tech skills required.

Here’s how it helps:

This gives you the ultimate streaming setup abroad – no buffering, no blocks, and no technical headaches.

Real Example: Why VPN Apps Fail

Let’s say you’re in Portugal. You install a well-known VPN on your laptop. It says you're connected to the UK — but iPlayer still refuses to play anything.

Why? Because:

The result: blocked again.

Now, plug in one of our pre-configured VPN routers, and connect your devices to its Wi-Fi. Everything works — just like at home in the UK.

Our Routers Use Genuine UK Residential IPs

We don’t rent commercial VPN servers. Our routers connect through a secure UK home broadband connection — giving you a clean, undetectable residential IP.

That’s why our customers enjoy:

Final Thoughts

If you're tired of blocked streams, broken apps and endless troubleshooting, it’s time to stop relying on basic VPNs.

A VPN router with a UK residential IP address is the only consistently reliable way to access British streaming services from abroad.

Stream like you’re back home — no matter where in the world you are.

A Pre-Configured VPN Router Is the Best Way to Watch UK TV Abroad

SmartHub Home VPN Router - Front

SmartHub Home

£115

SmartHub Pro VPN Router - Front

SmartHub Pro

£154

SmartHub Travel VPN Router - Front

SmartHub Travel

£130

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Stream UK TV Abroad
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