Using a VPN to access UK TV?

VPN
1

I have an RT2600AC. I am not super tech savvy.

I can change a router’s DNS setting, so I’ve been using a various smart DNS services to access BBC iPlayer, etc. in the US for years. Eventually BBC blocks access and I switch to a new service.

I’m currently using DNSFLEX which I like because it doesn’t mess with AT&T TV. But it’s now bloacked too, possibly temporarily.

Getting tired of all these subscriptions and wondering how it would work using something like Nord VPN or Express VPN.

Would I have to SSH into the router to install? Can I? Or do I use the built in VPN app? Do I even need to pay a service? Can I change the VPN location without paying? If I can successfully use a service. Is it easy to change locations at will? Or is there an app like DNSFLEX that lets me choose what country I want to be in for different TV channels?

Thanks.

2

I’m not able to answer your question but I can tell you that Private Internet Access’ Southampton and London nodes are blocked by iPlayer - so don’t be tempted to try that.

3

Whenever I’m traveling I have NordVPN and it allows me to access BBC iPlayer content when I’m connected to any UK server. Never got blocked and very simple to use.

4

I was in the same situation. I’ve been through most of the smart DNS services with the same issues as you.

I switched to running ExpressVPN directly on my Fire TV Cube using the app. I’ve had no problems.

There is Auto start, select/deselect what uses it, and a built in kill switch. There is also a free trial period, so it’s worth at least a test.

5

I had good luck with Witopia for many years, both on iOS and desktops. I never tried to use it on the AppleTV. BBC started more aggressively blocking their IPs so they switch them regularly, but I quit using them after Top Gear went to Amazon. BritBox is a subscription with a native AppleTV client but is only a subset of the content you can get on the iPlayer. I wish the Beeb would just allow anyone to pay the license fee and watch worldwide. I’d bet there would be a long line waiting to sign up.

6

I didn’t realise you meant Apple TV. I’m using Fire TV Cube and Sticks. The Express VPN app works well on that.

There is an Apple TV app for the Fire devices, but I don’t bother with it. It’s a bit primitive, and the content is nothing special.

7

You want to use policy-based routing. I just googled it and your router should support this feature.

8

Traveling is the key word here.

I’m not looking for a travel solution. I have a fire stick for that.

I want to watch UK tv at home, on my Apple TV. DNS proxies work for a while then crap out. Or they block my access to local channels on my AT&T TV app.

But it seems like the only way to get a VPN up and running on my router is to use OpenVPN, which seems like it would also block my local streams unless I upload a new location file to the router every time I want to switch between US and UK tv. Not very wife friendly. At least my wife.

9

I looked into express vpn but it doesn’t seem to have a native app for Apple TV. It lets you set up an account,on the website and gives you the DNS numbers for Apple TV, but it seems like I would have to go to the website every time I wanted to change locations. I think it’s really just a smart dns service for the Apple TV.

I’d use my fire stick but I much prefer the Apple TV interface.