How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Canada [2021]

Want to watch BBC iPlayer in Canada in 2021? Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is only available for viewers residing in the United Kingdom (UK) or at least have a UK IP address. 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 ‘Killing Eve,’ ‘Doctor Foster’, or want to live stream Tokyo Olympics 2020 for free, this streaming service has every taste of the content.

However, BBC iPlayer has content licensing restrictions on Canadians, and only allows access to UK citizens only. But still, there is a way to access BBC iPlayer 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 (Unblocking Steps)

Here’s how you can unblock BBC iPlayer in Canada:

1. Sign up and download a VPN – we recommend ExpressVPN.
2. Open the VPN app and log in with your account credentials.
3. Connect to the UK server from the list.
4. Now head to the BBC iPlayer website or app, sign in and start streaming in Canada.

There you go – you must have unrestricted access to the BBC iPlayer Canada. VPNs make it easy, don’t they? The hard part is selecting a VPN that isn’t blocked by BBC already!

Best VPNs to Watch 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:

1. ExpressVPN (Recommended)

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock popular geo-restricted streaming services, including BBC iPlayer in Canada because of it’s lightening 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, ITV Hub, SkySports, Eurosport, and more in Canada.

It also bypasses geo-blocked streaming services that are highly in demand but not available in Canada such as Hulu, HBO Max, US Netflix, YouTube TV, Sling TV, ABC, PBS, The CW, Peacock TV, and others.

Even if you are traveling abroad, with ExpressVPN, you can access your favorite Canadian streaming services like Crave TV, DAZN, Disney+, Amazon Prime and others.

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.

You can also cast your favorite BBC iPlayer content on big screen using Chromecast or AirPlay option, if you find complex in setting up a VPN directly on all those devices that do not support VPN app.

ExpressVPN offers five simultaneous connections on a single account. In short, if you want a smooth BBC iPlayer binging experience in Canada, this provider is the best option for you.

Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!

2. NordVPN

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 comes with SmartPlay feature that allows you to access geo-blocked streaming services regardless of your location.

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.

Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!

3. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a fine choice for get BBC iPlayer in Canada. Though, it does provide very small network of servers compared to others, but it works pretty to access geo-blocked English streaming services in Canada.

The most unique feature about this provider that it offers pre-configured apps to stream geo-locked streaming services. This means instead of choosing a country server, all you need to do is search for the streaming service you want to unblock and the PrivateVPN will show the best working servers right away.

PrivateVPN offers six simultaneous connections on a single account and offers apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!

Although there’s a price attached to these premium VPN services, there’s no competition. Not only do they have hundreds, if not thousands, of servers globally to unblock all the popular streaming services in Canada or anywhere abroad, including US Netflix, HBO Max, Sling TV, VH1, Zee5, Hotstar, Disney+, Voot, YouTube TV, The CW, ABC, NBC, SyFy, ESPN+, Peacock TV, Hulu Canada, and much more at super-fast speed without buffering issues, no bandwidth limitations, multiple device connections, 24/7 support staff, moneyback guarantees, and whatnot – you’re in safe hands on the open Internet!

How VPN Allows you to Unblock iPlayer in Canada

VPNs are quite technical, though there’s a simplified explanation of what they do as well. Let’s have a look.

Here’s where you’re at right now; you’re in Canada, BBC iPlayer isn’t working, and you’ve got the subscription to a VPN. As soon as you hit the “connect” button (or whatever the button says) on the main screen, you first attempt to contact the VPN’s server. This VPN server will be situated in a given country – which should be the UK.

What this server does is – it acts as an intermediary between you and your destination i.e., BBC iPlayer. Now, whenever you attempt to connect to a website, your packets (internet data) is securely transferred to the VPN server, and then to the BBC server.

Well, not only did you just bypass your ISP and government from snooping on you but now you’re in the UK. 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 service like ExpressVPN 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:

1. Planet Earth II
2. Killing Eve
3. Doctor Foster
4. Blue Planet 2
5. Selma
6. Taboo
7. Dracula
8. The Nest
9. Stage
10. Line of Duty

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. iOS phones, iPads, and tablets
2. Android phones
3. Mac, Linux, and Windows desktops/laptops
4. Google Chromecasts and Chromebooks
5. Televisions

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
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.

Can I Watch Tokyo Olympics 2020 Live Online on BBC iPlayer for Free in Canada?

Yes, you can watch Tokyo Olympics 2020 live stream for free on BBC iPlayer in Canada with the help of a VPN. All you need to do is connect to the UK server via VPN. Once you are connected to the UK server, head to the BBC iPlayer website or app and start watching the live Tokyo Olympics 2020 broadcast on BBC iPlayer for free.

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!