Sometimes even though you're in the UK, it's possible you may see a message saying you're not. This could be because your computer is on a foreign-based network, or is routed overseas (sometimes the case with work connections if your employer is not UK-based). Some programs, such as web accelerators, can cause your IP address to appear as if it is outside the UK.
If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your IP address at all, then you won't be able to stream or download programmes.
Occasionally it may simply be a network error, so it's worth closing your browser or router and reopening as a new IP address is allocated which may be UK-based.
Our Geo-IP technology system recognises IP addresses provided by UK-based internet service providers (ISPs). If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your address, you must contact your ISP as they alone can register your address.
If your ISP has registered with the appropriate databases, our servers are updated on a regular basis so you will have to wait until the next refresh to gain access.
Why am I now told I'm outside the UK, I wasn't previously?
Sometimes your internet service provider (ISP) will allocate you a new IP address, or will carry out maintenance work that means you are given a new IP address. In some cases, this IP address will not yet be registered by your ISP as being in the United Kingdom, and as such BBC iPlayer will no longer recognise you as being in the UK, even if you are.
This is something your ISP is best-placed to fix, as stated in the advice at the top of this page.
Why am I incorrectly identified as being outside the UK on my mobile device?
If you're in the UK but see a message claiming that you're outside the UK, it's because your data connection is being routed via overseas servers. For more information please read through the following guidance.
Further information
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