If you’re in Canada and you want to watch British TV, we’ve got the information you need.
Searching the web to find out how to watch British TV in Canada can often lead to outdated or complicated instructions. In this guide we’re going to show you the easiest method to watch British TV in Canada.
If you’re one of the 600,000+ British expats living in Canada you probably miss TV from home and if you’re a Canadian that loves British shows then you probably want to know how you can access more.
Follow the guide below to find out how.
How to watch British TV in Canada
The easiest way to watch British TV in Canada is to do so online.
Most major UK TV channels offer online streaming. If you’re in the UK it’s merely a case of visiting their website and streaming what you want to watch but if you’re in Canada things are a little different.
You’ve probably already visited the likes of BBC iPlayer or Sky Go and found yourself blocked with a message that looks a little like the following:
The good news is there is a way to unblock every British TV streaming service so that you can watch in Canada or anywhere else in the world.
To do this you’ll need an app called a VPN or Virtual Private Network to give it its full name.
Just follow the simple steps below showing you where to get a VPN and how to use it to watch British TV in Canada.
Steps to view UK TV in Canada
- Visit the VPN Provider NordVPN.
- Click Get NordVPN.
- Complete the sign-up process.
- Download their app from your app store or their software from the VPN Apps area of the NordVPN website.
- Install, Run and then Login when required.
- Select the United Kingdom.
- Press Connect.
It only takes approximately 30 seconds for the app or software to connect.
Once it has connected any website that you visit will think you’re in the UK rather than Canada.
When you visit a British TV streaming website rather than see the block like earlier you’ll be able to watch any live or catch-up content.
See the simple steps to connect below:
Android / iOS:
Windows / Mac:
British TV Websites
Once the VPN is connected you can access any of the British TV streaming websites.
You can access both free-to-air services and any that you have subscriptions for.
A few of the best to try are:
Free-to-air:
- TVPlayer
- BBC iPlayer
- ITV Player
- Channel 4
- Channel 5
- UKTVPlay
Subscription:
- Sky Go
- Virgin TV Anywhere
- BT Sport
- Sky Sports
How does a VPN work
When you visit a British TV website in Canada the site firstly checks your location.
When it sees you’re in Canada and not the UK it blocks you from viewing. The way it knows you’re not in Canada is because of something known as your IP Address.
An IP Address is a unique set of numbers that looks something like this: 198.164.85.41
An IP Address will give away your location. A VPN works by assigning you an IP Address from another country.
In the case of watching British TV in Canada it assigns you an IP Address from the UK so when you visit the TV website it thinks you’re in the UK and so doesn’t block you.
You can also watch TV from other countries too, or watch British TV in other countries.
Don’t forget, all you need is a VPN service, click the button at the bottom of this article to visit our recommended VPN provider and sign-up.
How to watch on a Smart TV or non-VPN compatible device
If you want to watch on your Smart TV or another device that you’re unable to install a VPN app or software on then you’ll need a hardware solution.
Using a hardware solution is more expensive than the software solution but will allow you to stream from to the comfort of your Smart TV or other device rather than watching on a computer, tablet or phone.
For this, you’ll need an Invizbox 2.
The Invizbox 2 handles the VPN connection and creates a new Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect to with your Smart TV or other device allowing you to watch British TV in Canada.
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Hi, this is new territory to me. Do I need to get a Nord VPN as well as an Invizbox Go.
Hi Frank,
If you want to watch on a computer/laptop/phone or tablet then you’ll only need NordVPN.
If you want to watch on a regular TV you’ll first need to ensure the TV has access to the TV apps of your choice, many won’t. If however, it does then you can use the Invizbox to watch there.
It may be easier to hook a laptop up to your TV though, that way you would only need NordVPN.
Thank you for the reply
Hii, just a couple of questions if you don’t mind. If I load the VPN onto my iPad will I need different VPNs for my other devices also do the iPlayers show current TV or only previously recorded shows?
Hi Frank,
No, most VPN services allow you to use it on 5 – 6 devices at the same time. You can load it on to an unlimited number of devices, but you’re limited to using it concurrently to 6 devices.
As far as I am aware, iPlayer shows “live” TV too.