VPN - BBC iPlayer not working
Comments
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Hello @BritInEurope and welcome to the Community!
Some websites have implemented a system to detect VPNs and do not load or display errors if the Internet connection is filtered through a VPN.
Based on your description of the situation encountered, I would recommend following the steps described in the link below:
Alternatively, you can have a look here as well:
Let us know if this helps.
Stay safe.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Still does not work for me. Any other thing I can try?
I have emptied my caches and cookies, and I still get the - BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.
It worked yesterday for 9 hours. When I got back to my computer today, I was getting that message.
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Hi @iratam,
If you have followed the above instructions and are still unable to view BBC's content, most likely they are detecting the VPN connection and they not allowing the content to load..
@Flexx any ideas here, your input is appreciated.
Cheers.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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That is exactly the problem.
I tried different VPNs, and they always work the first time, and they drop afterward.
The worst part is that it works for UKTV and ITV ?!?!?!?
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If this happens with multiple VPN services, than I guess it's safe to assume this is out of our capabilities.
Have you tried switching through several servers, maybe you can find one that works for you?
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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While I would have loved to provide the input but unfortunately I hardly use bitdefender VPN and never faced any issue with it.
The best option here will be to get some information from the bitdefender development team and ask them to check the working of BBC iPlayer over VPN, maybe they can figure out a solution if they will try to run the app at their end over VPN.
Regards
Flex
(Bitdefender beta tester 2019/ 2020)
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Thank you @Flexx, that's a good idea.
I'll get in touch with the developers and see if there's a way to tackle this.
Best wishes.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I've noticed this failure during the last week. I'm disappointed, being a legitimate user of BBC services...
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I have found the same problem from a desktop device. I signed up for the Bitdefender premium VPN service and found that BBC iPlayer worked for a few minutes on one desktop, then as soon as I moved to another machine I got the 'you must be in the UK' message. I went back to the original desktop and had lost access there as well.
This is frustrating considering this is why I purchased the Bitdefender service.
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Hello,
I am very sorry to hear this.
It's a known issue and it's work in progress. The engineers should come up with an infrastructure update in which they intend to address the iPlayer connectivity issue. I will update you on their progress as soon as the information becomes available.
Cheers.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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The same happens with BBC Sounds app. Is there a solution yet?
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Hello,
BBC iPlayer should be available with the VPN connection now. Kindly let us know if it works for you. In regards to the BBC Sounds app, there are no developments yet. But we are looking into it to see if we can unlock it while using VPN.
Best regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hello,
Just tried BBC iPlayer again and i still get the message this content is not available in your location.
Will keep trying, hopefully it will work.
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Hello @BritInEurope,
Thank you for sharing your findings with us. I think this is a bug, because as far as I'm aware, the BBC iPlayer should be unlocked, according to the confirmation I've received from our VPN specialists. Now, I have reported this to the development teams and they are back to the drawing board to search for a permanent fix. I will follow up as soon as I have news.
Regards.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hello,
I bought the Bitdefender VPN to use the BBC iPlayer. Should have checked this first...
Still doesn't work.
Kind regards.
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Hello.
You should contact Bitdefender Consumer Support by chat, telephone or e-mail:
Regards.
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BBC iPlayer has been working well over the passed 11 months, but a couple of weeks ago it failed to work. I have done what has been suggested but to no avail. I agree that the BBC have probably realised a VPN is being used and thus blocked it. Perhaps having another VPN address available would sort it. However, as my main reason for using Bitdefender VPN was to view BBC, without that being possible, I will not be renewing my membership. Perhaps another company may be better, subject to cost!
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I just purchased Bitdefender VPN and tried to use BBC iPlayer and got the error message "Hmmm… can't reach this page It looks like www.bbc.co.uk closed the connection " on my desktop with both Chrome and Microsoft Edge. I tried both of the 2 UK server locations available for selection. Neither solved the issue. Bitdefender should not be advertise in their recent advertisements that it works for this purpose. Maybe the email ads should read, "Maybe you can use Bitdefender VPN for watching georestricted programs, or maybe not." It looks like it currently is "not usable" as of Sep 1, 2022.
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Kindly contact the bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/ and scroll down to the bottom of the webpage where you can get in touch with support representative either by email, chat or over a call.
Alternatively, you can share your query with bitdefender support team by dropping them an email at bitsy@bitdefender.com
The support team will reply back to your query within next 24-48 hours excluding weekends.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Hello @Acanda, @jslimm and welcome to the Community!
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I have informed our VPN developers of this behavior and our teams are currently investigating the reported situation, to see what solutions can be found on our end. We have unlocked BBC iPlayer content before and we hope we can do it again, in the event the provider made some changes on their side. As soon as I receive news on the status, I will follow up on this thread.
Thank you for your understanding.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I’m visiting Europe and bought Bitfinder VPN to watch BBC iPlayer App in the UK. It does not work.
If I turn off VPN I can read the BBC News App. If I connect using VPN, I can’t access the site.
Is this a glitch or does Bitfinder not work?
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Hello.
You should contact Bitdefender Consumer Support by chat, telephone or e-mail:
Regards.
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Any updates on the matter? It seems it doesn't work yet. Tks
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Hello everyone,
A quick update on this topic, I have received confirmation from our VPN developers that the BBC iPlayer library has been successfully unlocked and is now available with our VPN.
It would be very helpful for us and the teams involved if we could get your feedback and confirmation regarding this.
Thank you very much for your patience throughout the investigation.
Best regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Checked now and it works, thanks.
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Yes! Thank you for the confirmation @micafuffa
Cheers
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I've also just upgraded to VPN premium.
Whilst on ExpressVPN I can see iplayer, it does not work on bitdefender.
Still getting message 'only works in UK etc...'?
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Hello @Mothemasterpro,
Can you tell us which app version are you using and what operating system? The VPN development teams are still working to gain access for macOS as well, because the BBC iPlayer is currently not available on this operating system. Also, have you connected to an U.K. server?
Cheers
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I can confirm it's not working anymore. Tried on pc windows and smartphone.
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Hello,
The VPN development teams have started an investigation to find out what could be causing this behavior, as previously, the BBC iPlayer was working as expected when using a VPN connection.
As soon as we have news, we'll post them here.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hello,
like the others, just bought VPN PPremium to watch BBC and it does not work... Same message as the others.
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Hello,
The VPN teams are still investigating the connectivity reports received. They are looking into the possible blockers and I'll revert to you as soon as we have updates.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hello,
same problem as reported by others: purchased Bitdefender VPN premium to view BBC iPlayer, but it does not work. Tried both locations London and Manchester, to no avail. Hope a solution will soon be available.
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Hi,
We'll get to the bottom of this soon.
Thank you for sharing your findings with us.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Two weeks later, still doesnt work for bbc iplayer. Both locations London and Manchester fail.
World cup starts in two days.
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Hello @Alij
I can't wait for the World Cup myself.
The VPN teams are pushing for a resolution and they are working with our infrastructure partners to find out what the blockers are and how they can deploy a permanent fix for this. They are making progress, but I'm afraid we won't be able to fix this until next week the earliest. I know we are way past the resolution deadline here, but there were a couple of setbacks and challenges along the way.
I hope we can unlock BBC iPlayer soon. Bear with us just a little bit longer. I appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process.
Who do you support in the World Cup? :)
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I have tried 2 other VPNs that are blocked by the UK and Australian government run sites and was investigating Bitdefender's VPN to see whether it has the same problem. It appears to me that VPNs are overselling their capabilities with respect to accessing overseas sites that apply geo-blocking.
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Is everyone else getting the same error?
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Hi,
The investigation concerning the BBC iPlayer is still ongoing. We are expecting further updates from our VPN infrastructure partners this week and I hope it's something that can be resolved in a positive manner.
Thanks
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hello,
@Nz Football2 @POG @Alij @Watchpal @ClaudeF @micafuffa and everyone else encountering this connectivity issue, may I kindly ask you to retest the BBC iPlayer now and tell us what the result is? Our VPN teams are making continuous adjustments and your feedback would prove very helpful in their efforts to find a permanent fix.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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London works (got it working at least one time), Manchester and UK automatic are not working.
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Hi @Watchpal,
Thank you for your feedback. For the time being, kindly use the server that works for you. Our VPN teams will continue to investigate the other available locations as well.
Please continue to share your findings on this thread.
Thank you
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Hi. I've recently upgraded to Bitdefender VPN in order to watch BBC iPlayer but have found the same problem as everyone else. I tried UK Auto and London. Are the BBC techies smarter than those at Bitdefender?
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Hello @Astragal and thanks for joining the conversation. So, none of the UK servers work for you?
Now, I'm very curious if other VPNs work flawlessly with BBC iPlayer as this means they have outsmarted everyone 😄 Has anyone tested other VPN providers? I know that our VPN teams have managed to unlock the library at some point and we have received confirmation that the London server allowed a successfull connection, but I'm afraid I don't have any news on the current status. I have asked for updates and I'll get back on the thread as soon as they arrive.
Everyone, thank you for your patience.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Following up on this thread, new adjustments have been made to tackle the BBC iPlayer connectivity issues and we are expecting further confirmation of availability from our VPN teams by the end of the week.
In the meantime, your feedback is always welcome on this thread and will help our teams in the ongoing investigation. Therefore, kindly let us know which servers work for you and if they don't, please stand by for further updates.
Thank you!
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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What is the latest on this problem?
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I have purchased BitDefender specifically to permit me to watch my BBC when I am out of the country in Europe. Sadly Bitdefender VPN does not work with BBC website, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and nothing else that involves geolocation in BBC programs. I found this very annoying since it was advertised at purchase time that this is possible. I checked on a few friends laptops (since reading this blog) and I can say BBC website and iPlayers works on NordVPN, ExpressVPN and AtlasVPN at least (I had access to these laptops). Unfortunately I will have to give up BitDefender and move to another provider. Sorry that you may waste me as a client.
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Unfortunately I too have begun having problems with Bitdefender's VPN. It has been working prior, but the last 2 days it has not been. The BBC iplayer loads and functions without the VPN active, but enabling the VPN cause the webpage not to load. I used Hotspot Shield to test if it was anything else but the VPN, and I got through as usual using thier service.
I've tried the usual "fixes" such as clearing cache, cookies, a different browser, restarting PC, trying a differnet PC, etc, etc...but alas no working result.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Hello everyone and thank you for your input.
Our VPN teams are looking into this and we hope to come up with a permanent solution soon.
Please bear with us just a little bit longer, as there are some adjustments we should make first.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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