When UK citizens travel abroad for long-term visits or work-related stays, they often miss some of their home activities, including watching their favorite TV content. The emotional and cultural connection to home drives them to seek ways to connect and enjoy popular UK content. That includes popular Premier League football, British dramas, reality shows, and up-to-date news from the BBC and ITV.
While attempting to access this content, the challenge they face is access restrictions outside the UK due to varying regulations, controls, and broadcasting rights. However, the internet has been highly enabling, as most of the ways they stay connected are through it, and it is compatible with devices such as smart TVs, streaming devices like Fire TV Stick and Android TV boxes, laptops, and smartphones. These are considered easy to set up, flexible, and portable means.
Let’s look at the ways a person living abroad can access UK TV content using the most reliable and convenient devices.
PTV Streaming Platforms
IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is the most reliable way to stream live TV channels over the internet. The platform provider is based in the UK and offers a wide range of channels in one place, including sports like the Premier League, movies, documentaries, news and many more. Since it’s not a satellite connection, subscribers abroad with a reliable internet connection can continue to access these channels.
A good example of an IPTV provider is GetHDTV, which also works on multiple streaming devices, such as smart TVs, mobile devices, PCs, and laptops, to ensure UK viewers stay connected to home channels on the go. Popular with expats, this trusted IPTV streaming platform offers a large selection of live TV channels, including UK content, major sports, entertainment, and international programming.
Other alternative platforms that can be useful for expats are BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Amazon Prime Video. All of these are also accessible via a laptop or desktop browser and, where supported abroad, on Apps.
YouTube for Free UK Content
YouTube is another global platform accessible via an app or website in almost all countries outside the UK. The platform may not offer live UK TV content, but it will keep you updated on every event and news that happens. For sports, expats can review official match highlights from leagues like the Premier League and the FA. You will also keep in touch with current affairs through news clips and analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.
The advantage of YouTube is that it’s a free, globally accessible platform with no subscription required. The flip side of this is that you won’t be able to enjoy full live matches. In short, the content is always delayed.
Local Satellite TV Providers
Recognizing that the world is a digital village and to accommodate everyone, some international broadcasters have acquired the legal rights to air UK TV content. The most common channels available worldwide for local satellite viewing are the Premier League and BBC News.
Where these channels are available, they are fully licensed and reliable, and the broadcasts are of high quality, as the providers meet UK live streaming standards. In terms of cost, this option is cheaper and available in almost every digital satellite TV package. Although due to local language variation, the commentary and coverage may differ from UK broadcasts.
Important Considerations
However, expats should take note that due to cross-border controls, some content may still be restricted on IPTV platforms. Some accounts will allow login, but vary in access depending on the region you are in.
Another Important consideration is that the performance of internet-based platforms depends on the internet speed, server provider reliability and the device in use. In most cases, the recommended speeds for live channels for smooth streaming are 10–15 Mbps for HD and 25+ Mbps for UHD 4K.
Some regions have VPNs to allow users to view TV content as if they are in the UK. This will enable them to access all home content using their preferred UK platforms to keep the viewing experience. It’s, however, not guaranteed to be consistent and may violate the platform’s terms of service.
As an expat, you should first research which providers offer better local content abroad and their legal status and licensing to operate in the region you intend to use.
