The BBC iPlayer is not just about watching reruns. iPlayer offers a number of inventive ways to provide internet users with online entertainment. Not only can you watch shows that have aired recently on television, you can also view classic shows that are no longer available on a regular basis. Instead of being slave to what television corporations decide to broadcast that day, you choose which show you want, watch it any time of day, and on a number of devices. You can even listen to BBC Radio programs. There a great number of options, but there is one limitation that you may not be aware of. You cannot watch BBC iPlayer abroad.

There are actually over ten BBC Radio radio stations to tune in to. And to match that, there are also ten BBC television stations to listen to as well. BBC One, BBC World News, BBC News, and even children's stations are available. The whole of the BBC network available on your phone, laptop, or internet TV. But without the ability to access the iPlayer while you travel or go abroad for business, doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose? How can you get mobile with BBC Networks when you can't even leave the country?

There's a work around for this. Though iPlayer has made announcement so open up internationally, not much has been seen, and the world is left waiting. Those who can't wait, are using virtual private networks to access the iPlayer from abroad. VPNs are a common way to change the IP address of pretty much any internet ready device. You can install VPNs on phone, computers, and use VPN routers to change the IP of your internet TV. Depending on your device, there are a variety of methods to go about changing your IP.

The easiest way is through your phone or laptop. This is because your phone and laptop come ready with "VPN Clients", which means you just have to download and install the VPN. You can be ready within minutes to watch BBC iPlayer abroad. Using an internet ready TV is a bit more complicated. Without VPN clients, you have the choice to buy a VPN router, which will change the IP of your entire internet connection, or install the VPN on your laptop, and run your TV's internet connection through your laptop. Each comes with it's own nuances, but does work. Most VPN service provide customer service for complicated setups.

When you sign up for a VPN service, be sure that the package you're ordering has VPN servers in The UK. Most sites will explicitly tell you what server locations your package includes, and this will define your IP location, and is important to note when buying! You may have other server locations included - if you can find a package with servers in The USA, you'll also be able to access Hulu and Netflix! Signed into the VPN server in The UK, you'll have a UK IP address and also be able to access other local sites that block foreign IP addresses.