Wondering how to watch British TV in France? Popular free-to-air channels, catch-up TV, and live sports streaming are blocked the moment you leave the UK. The good news? It’s easy to watch geo-restricted content on BBC iPlayer, ITVX/ITV Hub, and Channel 4/All 4 using a VPN.
British TV is a fantastic source for news, entertainment, sports, and documentaries. Best of all? UK TV streams are free. With the right setup, you can bypass geo-blocks and get unrestricted access to BBC News, EastEnders, Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, MOTD, and more.
Not all VPNs work to unblock Sky News, Sky Sports, or UK streaming catalogs like Netflix UK. This causes frustration for British expats in France. To help you out, I’ve pinpointed the best VPNs for UK expats to watch TV abroad. My tests focused on TV access, privacy, and speeds – so streaming works without buffering.
In this guide, I explain why a VPN is the most practical way to watch UK TV in France. The caveat is that British TV services actively block many VPNs, so choosing a fully tested provider is essential.
The best VPNs to watch British TV in France
In a rush? I have included my list of the best VPNs for UK TV below. These VPNs all offer fast UK servers that are optimized for streaming.
Best VPN for UK TV in France:
- NordVPN — The best VPN overall for UK TV
- Surfshark — Most impressive all-rounder for users on a budget
- Total VPN — Best value for UK TV if you also need an antivirus
- ProtonVPN — Reliable option for privacy-focused users
- ExpressVPN — Best for users who want a premium VPN
- IPVanish — Strong choice for UK and US TV
- CyberGhost — Great choice for beginners
- PureVPN — Ideal for users connecting from restrictive countries
- PrivateVPN — Easy to use and includes port forwarding for torrenting
How to watch UK TV in France with a VPN
It is easy to watch UK TV in France, even if you’ve never done it before. All you really need is a good VPN recommendation and clear setup instructions.
How to watch UK TV in France with a VPN:
- Choose a reliable VPN for UK TV. I recommend NordVPN because it is highly reliable, strong on privacy, and unbeatable for UK TV access. If you want something cheaper, Surfshark is my top pick. Total VPN is my pick for users who want a VPN that comes free with an antivirus.
- Sign up for your chosen VPN. My VPN recommendations offer discounted plans and a money-back guarantee. Simply follow the link to test the service risk-free and get a refund if you change your mind.
- Install the VPN app. My favorite VPNs for UK TV have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, smart TVs, and streaming devices. This makes it easy to watch British TV on your phone, laptop, or smart TV in France.
- Connect to a UK server. To unblock British TV, you need a UK IP address. Connecting to a UK server makes streaming platforms think you’re watching from inside the UK, even though you’re in France.
- Open your UK streaming service and start watching. Once connected, launch BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4 and sign in as normal. You’ll have full access to live channels, catch-up TV, and sports – so it feels like you’re back in Britain.
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UK TV VPN not working? Error messages and fixes
British TV services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4 are region-locked. If you try to stream from France, you’ll usually see one of the following error messages:
- BBC iPlayer: “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”
- ITVX: “Sorry, ITVX is only available in the UK.”
- Channel 4 (All 4): “This content is not available in your location.”
If you see one of these messages while connected to a VPN, it means the UK server you’re using is already blocked. Some VPNs don’t work at all because all of the UK servers have been flagged. That’s why you can’t pick a VPN at random.
Many VPNs claim to unblock BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, TNT Sports, Sky Sports, Prime Video UK, and Netflix UK. My tests revealed that many of these claims are bogus.
To help you out, I tested dozens of VPNs and checked for UK streaming access. Already subscribed to a VPN? You’re welcome to try my troubleshooting steps. If they don’t work, it just means you need to switch to one of my fully tested alternatives.
How to fix UK TV VPN issues
Using one of the VPNs I recommend above? All set! You can fix any initial setup problems by following the steps below:
- Use the website instead of the app. UK TV apps often rely on additional location checks. Streaming through your browser is more reliable when using a VPN because it prevents secondary tracking signals, such as GPS.
- Clear cookies and cache. Stored location data can conflict with your VPN connection. Clearing cookies forces the TV service to re-check your IP address.
- Restart and update your VPN app. Make sure you’re running the latest version, then fully close and reopen the app before reconnecting to a UK server.
- Restart your device. This refreshes network settings and ensures the VPN connection is applied system-wide.
- Switch VPN protocols. Try a streaming-friendly protocol such as WireGuard, NordLynx, or OpenVPN UDP. My recommendations include protocols designed to give you smoother streaming free from buffering and pixelation.
- Try a different UK server. Some UK locations get blocked faster than others. Switching servers is often the quickest fix.
- Contact VPN support. Reputable VPNs offer live chat and can tell you which UK servers currently work best with BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4.
Why do UK TV services block VPNs?
TV networks in the UK (and elsewhere) are bound by licensing agreements. To generate more revenue from original content, networks license shows and sports rights internationally. To make this possible, UK broadcasters must restrict access to their services from abroad, allowing exclusive control over that content in other markets.
TV services like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 are aware that VPNs exist and can be used to bypass region locks. This is why they monitor connections and block IP addresses believed to originate from VPN services.
Ultimately, broadcasters want to ensure that only viewers within agreed broadcasting regions can access their content. This is why they use block lists and advanced detection tools to identify and block users streaming from abroad or using a VPN.
The result is that most VPNs stop working. The VPNs that still work to watch UK TV in France do a few important things: they rotate IP addresses regularly and maintain UK servers that are optimized for streaming. That’s how a small number of VPN providers stay ahead of broadcaster VPN blocks.
How I tested VPNs for watching UK TV in France
There are dozens of consumer VPNs on the market, and many use aggressive marketing tactics. This can make it hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. To help you out, I tested each VPN myself to see how it performs in real-world conditions for watching British TV.
My testing focused on a few key areas that actually matter when streaming UK TV from France:
- UK streaming access: I tested dozens of popular VPNs to find services that access UK TV platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. Only services that work without errors and with fast enough speeds to stream in HD without buffering made it onto the list. Where available, I tested multiple UK locations to check for consistency and redundancy.
- Speed and stability: I tested British VPN servers several times per day using a dedicated test server in Manchester to find top speeds, and using home broadband to check real-world performance. Only VPNs that loaded streams quickly and without buffering or pixelation made it onto my list.
- Privacy and security: I read through each VPN’s privacy policy to look for grey areas, and checked under the hood of each VPN app for encryption standards and privacy tool implementation. I also considered the jurisdiction for each VPN and how the network is constructed to ensure each VPN protects user data properly.
- Ease of use: I took the time to install and use every VPN app to see how easy it is for beginners to start watching British streams. This included checking various apps on smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs.
- Value for money: I compared pricing, money-back guarantees, and included features to decide whether the VPN offers a balanced features-to-price ratio.
Is it legal to access UK TV services in France?
In the UK, a TV licence is required only for viewers who watch or stream live TV while physically in Britain. The licensing system is territorial and does not apply outside the UK.
When you access UK TV services such as BBC iPlayer from France, access is restricted technically through IP-based geo-blocking rather than through licence enforcement. As a result, watching UK TV from France using a VPN does not fall under UK TV licensing law.
I am not an attorney, and nothing in this article should be considered legal advice. Please do your own research and check local laws before using a VPN.
What can I watch on UK TV?
Wondering what you’ll be able to watch if you use a VPN in France? Below are some of the most popular British TV shows you can stream free of charge while connected to a VPN, using the UK’s main free-to-air platforms.
BBC iPlayer
- EastEnders
- Doctor Who
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Match of the Day
- The Great British Bake Off
- BBC News (live and on demand)
ITVX
- Coronation Street
- Emmerdale
- Love Island
- I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
- The Masked Singer
- ITV News
Channel 4
- Gogglebox
- Taskmaster
- The Inbetweeners
- First Dates
- Come Dine With Me
- Channel 4 News
Can I use a free VPN to watch British TV in France?
No. Although some free VPNs are safe to use, these will not work to unblock UK TV while traveling. Free VPNs have few servers, which makes them easy to detect and block. As a result, free VPNs have already been blocked by leading UK TV platforms.
Even free VPN plans offered by highly reputable providers like Proton VPN or Hotspot Shield will not work. This is because they reserve streaming access for paying users. This creates a pressure point that forces users to upgrade.
If you want a way to watch British TV for free, I advise making use of a VPN refund policy. The VPNs in this guide all have a money-back guarantee, which means you can watch iPlayer or another network on holiday, and still get a refund within 30 days.
British TV in France FAQs
Can I get a Sky TV subscription in France with a VPN?
Yes. Once you have a valid UK IP address, you can subscribe to British services like Sky TV and Sky Sports. The easiest option is to subscribe online via Sky’s website (Sky Go), although a UK payment method may sometimes be required.
Many people find it even easier to subscribe through NOW (formerly NowTV). This is a streaming-only service that provides access to Sky Sports and Sky TV entertainment packages without a satellite dish. The best part is that NOW does not require a long-term contract, making it ideal if you want access for a day, a week, or a month.
Can I access UK Netflix in France?
Yes. The top VPNs for UK TV include servers that work with Netflix UK. This allows you to connect back to the UK and watch your usual Netflix library, which is ideal if you are partway through a series and want to keep watching while visiting France.
What sports can I watch on UK TV from abroad?
Free UK TV channels are a useful source for streaming sports content, particularly competitions taking place in the UK and Europe. This makes access to British TV especially appealing for sports fans living or travelling abroad.
Popular UK sports coverage includes:
- Football: Premier League highlights (BBC and ITV), FA Cup, international fixtures
- Tennis: Wimbledon live and on demand via BBC iPlayer
- Rugby: Six Nations, Autumn Internationals, Rugby World Cup coverage
- Cycling: Tour de France live stages on ITV
- Formula 1: Free race highlights and analysis on Channel 4
- Cricket: England internationals and major tournaments (highlights and selected live matches)
In addition, paid services such as Sky Sports and TNT Sports increase access to popular sports. These platforms cover premium content, including live Premier League matches, Formula 1 races, boxing, MMA, golf, and more. With a working
What is Bouquet Anglophone?
This is a TV package offered by some providers in France, such as Orange. It provides viewers in France with an official English-language TV package that includes channels licensed from British broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV.
A Bouquet Anglophone subscription allows you to watch some British TV content without a VPN, but it usually costs significantly more than streaming UK TV online.
Bouquet Anglophone won’t provide comprehensive access to UK free-to-air services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4, and it does not include full UK catch-up TV or on-demand libraries. Viewers in France who want broader access to UK TV for free generally get better results using a VPN.
Do I need a satellite dish installation to watch UK TV?
No. Thanks to the rise of online streaming and video-on-demand players, you do not need a satellite dish to access British TV in France.
That said, if you already have a dish installed, you can still use Astra 2 (28.2°E) to align a satellite dish and receive some UK channels in parts of Europe.
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