Best VPNs for BBC America — Tested & Still Working in 2022
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While you can still access the site from abroad, geo-blocks make it impossible to watch any BBC America content from outside the US without a VPN. Due to copyright restrictions, shows like Star Trek: Deep Space 9 can’t be accessed from the UK (even on BBC iPlayer). BBC America can only be streamed in the US, Canada, and a few US territories like American Samoa, United States Virgin Islands, or Guam.
My team and I tested 80+ VPNs and shortlisted the best ones for streaming BBC America, prioritizing fast servers across many US locations. These VPNs also have strong security measures that give you additional online privacy — even on unsecured public WiFi.
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. Its vast network of American servers makes it reliable for unblocking BBC America in the UK and anywhere. Military-grade encryption also gives you high-end protection while browsing and streaming. You can test ExpressVPN risk-free because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for BBC America in August 2022
- ExpressVPN — The best VPN for BBC America, with ultra-fast servers in many US locations. You can confidently test the service yourself because it's covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- SurfsharkVPN — Excellent server network in the US gives you plenty of options to unblock BBC America from anywhere.
Best VPNs for BBC America — Full Analysis (Updated in 2022)
These VPNs are ideal for streaming BBC America because they offer servers in multiple American cities, so you can always find one that unblocks the platform. They also deliver fast streaming speeds and provide robust protection from cyber threats.
All the VPNs on this list offer responsive chat or email customer support too — so you can easily get assistance when you need it. Plus, each one can be tested without risk because they all have money-back guarantees.
ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds for Streaming BBC America Without Buffering
Best favorite choice
- Server speed and location: The fastest VPN I tested for BBC America with servers in 23 US locations and 94 countries overall
- Security and privacy: Military-grade encryption, Lightway protocol, and a no-logs policy
- Simultaneous device connections: 5
- Can stream local and global content: BBC America, Sling TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, BBC iPlayer, Netflix US, Hulu, and more
- Compatible with: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, routers, Smart TVs, and more
ExpressVPN Offer August 2022: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!
ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol delivers ultra-fast speeds over long distances. That means you can stream 4K videos on BBC America from abroad without buffering. I tested ExpressVPN’s US servers myself and got lightning-fast results. The New York and Los Angeles servers clocked 46–48 Mbps, which was just 4–8% slower than my base connection. UHD streaming only requires 25 Mbps, so I watched shows in the highest quality.
The network covers an impressive 23 US locations. I had access to servers in New York, LA, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, and more. When I tested these servers from my location in the UK, I watched episodes of Doctor Who and Killing Eve on my BBC America account. All the servers have unlimited bandwidth too, so you can stream as much as you want.
There are also servers in 94 countries to give you access to geo-blocked content on other platforms, like Netflix UK, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. The Stealth mode gives you extra help unblocking content by obfuscating your VPN traffic so you can bypass VPN blocks on streaming sites.
Thanks to the VPN’s military-grade encryption, you get the best protection from hackers. This scrambles your traffic, making it unreadable. Lightway is safe and fast, but you can also choose the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol for maximum security.
Plus, IPv6/DNS leak protection and Network Lock (a kill switch) prevent data exposure. Network Lock cuts off your internet access if the VPN connection accidentally drops (that said, I didn’t experience any connection issues during my tests).
A no-logs policy also keeps your privacy intact — your internet searches and real location aren’t monitored or recorded either. ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Islands location is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (countries that share citizens' data), so it isn't subject to data retention laws. You can even subscribe using Bitcoin for enhanced privacy.
It's easy to install and use the VPN on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Apps are also provided for smart TVs like Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Plus, MediaStreamer helps you access BBC America on devices that don’t support VPNs, like games consoles or Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Live chat support is provided 24/7, so you can always get help with setting up.
The plans are a bit pricey, starting from $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN also has generous discounts and giveaways. I got 49% off and 3 months for free when I purchased the yearly plan.
There's a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can easily get refunded if you don't like the service. When I submitted my request on chat, I got my money back in my PayPal account after 1 day.