Last Updated on June 16, 2025

Need a Valid BBC iPlayer Postcode

In this article we’ll explain everything you need to know to find a UK Postcode for use with BBC iPlayer.  If you’re outside the UK you’ll also need a VPN to hide your location – this one works well in 2025 for the BBC (use servers listed at bottom of this page)

NordVPN Discount page

What is BBC iPlayer?

The BBC’s iPlayer is a streaming service available on computers, mobiles, tablets and connected TVs. It allows viewers to watch live TV as well as on-demand programmes plus download BBC programmes too. It was launched in 2007 and is available in the UK only.

The service provides access to live stream any of the BBC’s 11 channels directly to your device. You can also watch most shows for up to twelve months after they have been broadcast from the archive section. there are a few exceptions to this especially time sensitive shows like BBC News which are not archived. also shows that require external licensing like Match of the Day are not archived for as long.

Some of the most popular TV shows you can watch on BBC iPlayer include: Top Gear, EastEnders, Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, Planet Earth, Killing Eve plus many, many more. BBC iPlayer has a wide range of streaming services, such as catch up, live TV and on demand. The website also offers radio programmes including the BBC Radio 4 podcasting

Does BBC iPlayer Work Outside the UK

‘If you look on the official website then you might get slightly misled. Officially it’s not possible to watch BBC iPlayer if you’re physically located outside the United Kingdom. There are no exceptions, for example you’ll get blocked in Ireland just across the border just as you will on the other side of the world. Fortunately, there is a workaround, a simple method to watch both the BBC and all the UK TV channels online irrespective of your location.

So actually, the answer is yes! However, there is something you’ll need to make sure that your device can play BBC live streams from non-UK locations like Spain, USA and other countries. It’s simply a way of hiding your location and making it look like you’re in the UK – it’s called a VPN and you can see it working below.

How to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN?

BBC iPlayer lets you stream live content from BBC One, BBC Two, etc but normally only if you’re physically located in the UK. It checks by looking up the location of your IP address when you connect to the site. Anything registered outside the UK and you’ll get redirected to the ‘International version’ of the BBC i.e. the one without any TV or radio programmes on it.

There is a way to fool it though and indeed millions of people do just this. It involves using something called a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to hide your real IP address and instead present a UK based one instead.

Here’s a quick demonstration of how it works.

Watch this video to see one that is working in 2024, it’s called NordVPN !

Pretty simple stuff I think you’ll agree? However, before you start, you’ll also have to create an account. In 2020 the BBC made it compulsory to create an account before being able to watch anything in BBC iPlayer. It’s not difficult though and doesn’t cost anything, you can be streaming UK TV everywhere in a few minutes. However, there are a few things you need to make it work.

How to Sign up for BBC iPlayer

The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster. It provides high-quality, impartial news and information in English and Welsh. The BBC iPlayer service lets you watch programmes on demand, as well as listen to live radio and catch up on news.

To sign up, you need a BBC account, which is free of charge. You can set one up here or by downloading the BBC iPlayer app on your device.

1. You need a BBC account and download the BBC iPlayer app on your device to sign up for the service.

2. Next you have to select the type of account –

If you’re over 18

You need to provide your email address, postcode and a password.

If you’re between 13 and 18

We ask for your email address, password and date of birth.

If you’re under 13

We ask you for a username (instead of an email address), password and date of birth.

Basically to get access to the full functionality of BBC iPlayer you need the over 18 account. So you’re going to need an email address, postcode and a password for your account. All of these are pretty straight forward, pretty much any email address will do and a basic password of 8 characters will suffice.

Which leaves only the postcode which is where people from outside the UK often get stuck.

Where can I get a postcode for BBC iPlayer?

Obviously if you are in the United Kingdom then you can just use your real postcode. Yet what do you do if you’re using a VPN access the BBC from outside the United Kingdom. Well, it doesn’t really matter, there is only one check and that’s to ensure it’s a valid postcode (like a US ZIP Code) that actually exists.

You can use your old postcode if you used to live in the UK, pick one from a well-known location or just grab one at random.

As long as the Postcode is real and exists there is no issue at all.

The BBC certainly doesn’t check the location or whether your name is linked to it. In truth this would be very difficult to do and there’s no plans to support any sort of authentication feature.

One thing you should remember though the postcode you use will be used to customise your access to the BBC iPlayer. So you’ll find local news and radio stations will match the postcode you’ve inputted. You can change the regional settings when you’ve logged in though, so this isn’t a big problem.

Where can I find a fake postcode for BBC iPlayer?

Simply type in a location in Google and you’ll find something. For people struggling finding inspiration and just want any UK postcode for bbc iplayer – here’s a few suggestions for codes that facilitate BBC International access.

Bolton Postcodes

BL4 0AA BL4 0AB BL4 0AD BL4 0AE BL4 0AF BL4 0AG BL4 0AH BL4 0AJ BL4 0AL BL4 0AP

BL4 0AQ BL4 0AR BL4 0AS BL4 0AT BL4 0AU BL4 0AW BL4 0AX BL4 0AY BL4 0AZ BL4 0BA

BL4 0BB BL4 0BD BL4 0BE BL4 0BF BL4 0BG

London Postcodes

N1P 3AB N1P 3AD N1P 3AE N1P 3AF N1P 3AG N1P 3AJ

N1P 3AL N1P 3AN N1P 3AP N1P 3AQ N1P 3AS N1P 3AT

Birmingham Postcodes

B10 0AB B10 0AD B10 0AE B10 0AL B10 0AR B10 0AU

B10 0AX B10 0BA B10 0BB B10 0BD B10 0BE B10 0BG

B10 0BH B10 0BJ B10 0BL B10 0BN B10 0BP B10 0BS

B10 0BT B10 0BU B10 0BW B10 0BX B10 0BY B10 0BZ

B10 0DB B10 0DE B10 0DF

Welsh Postcodes (Cardiff)

CF10 1AA CF10 1AB CF10 1AD CF10 1AE CF10 1AF

CF10 1AG CF10 1AH CF10 1AJ CF10 1AL CF10 1AP

CF10 1AQ CF10 1AR CF10 1AS CF10 1AT CF10 1AU

CF10 1AW CF10 1AX CF10 1AY CF10 1AZ CF10 1BA

CF10 1BB CF10 1BD

Scottish Postcodes (Edinburgh)

EH9 3FN EH10 4AA EH10 4AB EH10 4AD EH10 4AE

EH10 4AF EH10 4AG EH10 4AH EH10 4AJ EH10 4AL

EH10 4AN EH10 4AP EH10 4AQ EH10 4AR EH10 4AS

EH10 4AU EH10 4AW EH10 4AY EH10 4AZ EH10 4BD

EH10 4BE EH10 4BF EH10 4BG EH10 4BJ EH10 4BL

EH10 4BN

As mentioned it doesn’t really matter which postcode you use as long as it’s a valid one.

Download BBC iPlayer App or Watch Online

So, if you’re armed with a UK based VPN and any valid UK postcode then you’re ready to go. You might worry is BBC iPlayer free ? Relax it is, as long as you follow the instructions below regarding the license.  Millions of us are watching iPlayer abroad without restrictions and have been for years.

There is one more point to be aware of – you’ll be asked if you have a UK TV license before you can watch anything. It usually pops up before you start streaming something new or when first accessing the site.

Again, this is nothing really to worry about for anyone trying to access from outside the UK. If you answer – “Yes, I have a TV license. Watch now” that will be the end of it. There’s no further check or validation of your answer so as long as you confirm you’ll be fine. If you say no then I’m afraid you won’t be able to access the site, at least all the sections which contain live TV and the BBC iPlayer archive too.

Additional Questions about BBC TV iPlayer Live

How much data does BBC iPlayer consume?

Much of this depends on which resolution you decide to stream in. Higher resolution uses significantly more data than standard definition. As a rough estimate high definition (HD) quality stream will require about 1GB data for each hour watched. If you watch in standard definition (SD) then this should fall to around 240mb data an hour. Both are significant amounts if you use your phone’s data allowance so it’s probably best to watch over an internet connection.

Why don’t all VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?

The BBC and other media sites don’t want you to watch from abroad at all. They take steps to block access from VPN and proxies and sometimes they succeed. This normally involves monitoring connections and blacklisting IP address ranges which have too many users connecting at the same time.

This is why busy and free VPNs no longer work with BBC iPlayer.    Most of these VPNs have been blocked by the BBC in 2021. Plenty still do work though if you pick the right one.

Which Server to pick?

You must select a UK server as the BBC will need to say a British IP address.

How can I watch ITV Hub abroad?

In the exact same way, use a postcode from above and make sure you’ve got a UK VPN connected first like the BBC,

What is the best VPN for the BBC ?

In our opinion, NordVPN is one of the best VPN services to watch the BBC from abroad. They maintain a huge UK network and optimise many of their servers for BBC access.

NordVPN Servers for BBC

Don’t let the application select a UK server automatically use one of the servers optimised for the BBC. here’s the current list in NordVPN 2022 – UK# 1840-1847, 1850-1863, 1865, 1869, 1873, 1875-1878, 1880-1881, 1900-1901, 1903-1904, 1911, 1913, 1917, 1919-1920.

Where Can I Get a BBC Postcode ?

Virtually anywhere online, any UK postcode is a BBC postcode!  Any valid UK postcode can be used to create a BBC iPlayer account.  Find  a UK address online and use that or if you’re really stuck here’s a few I found – B10 0AX, B10 0BA, B10 0BB, B10 0BD, B10 0BE or B10 0BG.

How Do I Get a Fake UK Postcode for a BBC iPlayer account?

A fake postcode won’t work, it must be a real postcode assigned to a proper location.  Don’t worry though, you don’t need proof you love there as long as it#s a real, valid postcode then everythign will work perfectly.  For example, you could look up the address of any organisation, business or location in the UK and use that and you’d be fine.