There are only two things you need to watch All 4 outside the UK in 2024. An internet connection and a VPN. That’s it! In this article, I am going to tell you everything you need to know about streaming Channel 4 while on holiday or abroad (for whatever reason).
Note from the author: “I am originally from the UK, but moved to New Zealand (my wife is a Kiwi) in 2017. Since then, I’ve been using VPNs pretty much every day to get my fix of Have I Got News for You on BBC iPlayer, Gogglebox on All 4 and most importantly, listening to TMS when England play cricket (not kidding) as none of these programs are available in New Zealand.
I pay for both ExpressVPN and NordVPN and share my VPN logins with friends and family. I rate both of these VPNs very highly (I’ve tried them all!) but think ExpressVPN just edges it… just.
If you have any questions, reach out via the Comments section below or get in touch via the links in my author bio.”
Steam All 4 outside UK: Quick guide
- Get a decent VPN
- I recommend either ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month)
- Download the VPN on your device
- Open your VPN and connect to a UK server
- Go to Channel4.com and watch from ANYWHERE in the world!
All you need is a VPN, and a free All 4 account, and you can watch All 4 on pretty much any device: iPhone, Android phone, laptop, desktop, Apple TV, FireStick, and even an Xbox and PS4 (though, those devices will take a bit more configuration using DNS settings).
The main thing you need to know is that it is not difficult at all.
Below, I’ll take you through what you need to watch All 4 outside the UK so you can follow along and *literally* copy my steps – so you don’t make any mistakes.
However, before I do that, if you’re new to VPNs, make sure you check out our article on What is a VPN to educate yourself on what’s the right choice for you. Here’s the short version:
A VPN lets you spoof your internet connection to a new location of your choice using military-grade encryption. For example, this means you could be on holiday in the USA, and turn on your VPN, to access the internet as if you were still in the UK. This is important as All 4 is only available to UK internet connections.
That’s the theory of it, anyway. In reality, it’s a bit more complicated as streaming services like All 4, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, ITVX, Sky Go, etc have started blocking the IP addresses that VPNs give to their customers.
This is why it’s important to choose the right VPN. While a Free VPN (with unlimited data) might work with All 4 at first, it’s almost certain to have its IP address blocked by All 4 at some point (sooner than you think).
The other niggle with free VPNs is that they overload servers. This means you are much more likely to experience buffering while watching All 4 as your Internet speeds will be bottlenecking with everyone else using that free server.
So, if you’re serious about watching All 4 outside the US, I suggest using a high-end VPN. ExpressVPN or NordVPN are the best on the market. ExpressVPN used to be the clear market leader, and it still is, but NordVPN is closing the gap – FAST. If you want the very best Streaming VPN, go for ExpressVPN. However, is you want a first-class VPN that’s a bit more budget-friendly, NordVPN is still a great choice. Check out our Best VPNs 2024 article for (much!) more information.
Ok, that’s enough background info. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to watch All 4 outside the UK.
Watcing All 4 outside the UK is easy once you know what you’re doing and have the right tools. Here’s what you need to know.
Total Time: 4 minutes
- Get a VPN
The first thing you need to do is make a decision on the kind of VPN you want to use. You can try your luck with a free VPN – ProtonVPN is probably the best place to start – however, if you want the BEST streaming experience with All 4, I recommend going for a VPN with better reviews.
I suggest ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month).
- Download and install VPN
Once you’ve made your choice on VPN, you need to download the program/app on your device. This couldn’t be easier, but if you do get stuck just head to the Download page of your chosen VPN’s website and there will be an easy-to-follow guide waiting for you.
- Connect to a server in the UK
Once you’ve got the VPN installed on your device, you need to open it and connect to a server in the UK.
Note: You might need to accept some Permission requests for this – don’t be alarmed – this is necessary for rerouting your internet connection through its servers and encryption settings.
- Login to Channel 4 and watch from outside the UK
All you need to do now is go to channel4.com or open the All 4 app on your phone/tablet/TV streaming device and you’re good to go.
Note that if you haven’t got an account with Channel 4, you’ll need to create one. But don’t worry it’s free (see below)
How to make an All 4 account outside the UK
Making an All 4 account outside the UK is easy. All you need is an active email address, a UK address and a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month).
To create an All 4 account outside the UK, follow these steps:
- Use a VPN and connect to a UK server
- Visit Channel4.com
- Select Sign In and then click Create Account
- Input the required information
- When it asks you for an address, you can use any UK address. You can get one here.
Do you have to be in the UK to watch All 4?
Officially, you do have to be in the UK to watch All 4. This is because All 4 is a UK-based streaming service that only has the rights to broadcast its content in the UK.
With that said, there’s an incredibly easy way to watch All 4 outside the UK. If you’re abroad, all you need to do is make it look like you’re connecting to All 4 from within the UK.
To do that you need to change your IP address to a UK IP address, and the easiest way to do that is with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month).
How can I watch Channel 4 videos outside the UK?
If you’re trying to watch Channel 4 videos outside the UK, the best way to do that is via Channel 4’s streaming app, All 4.
All 4 contains all of Channel 4’s content, and you can watch it on-demand.
To watch All 4 outside the UK you need to make it look like you’re connecting to the internet from within the UK. The easiest way to do that is with a reliable VPN.
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is the gold standard of VPNs. With servers in 94 countries and top-tier encryption protocols, it provides users the fastest and most reliable way to unblock streaming services from anywhere in the world.
NordVPN ($2.99/month) has an expansive network of 5,800+ high-speed servers in 60 countries – making it a great option for anyone looking to unblock popular streaming services, at a more mid-range price point. An excellent choice.
Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) is the “best of the rest” VPN. It stands out as a solid streaming VPN with a budget price tag. It’s not as reliable, or fast, as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Making it a more suitable choice for a casual VPN user.
Ivacy ($1.00/month) the price is the selling point here. If you want a VPN that works with major streaming services “most of the time” and don’t mind a bit of buffering during peak periods, Ivacy is fine. But it’s nowhere near as good as ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
CyberGhost ($2.19/month) is a decent VPN option that offers user-friendly apps and a range of servers worldwide. While it may not lead the pack in all features, it provides a satisfactory balance of privacy, speed, and ease of use.
Why can’t I watch All 4 abroad?
The reason you can’t watch All 4 abroad is because the streaming service is blocking you from accessing its content.
All 4 only has the rights to broadcast its content in the UK. If it made its content available outside the UK, it would be breaching the licensing and copyright agreements it has with its content partners. These breaches can often lead to substantial fines.
All 4 doesn’t want this to happen, so it blocks anyone outside the UK from accessing the streaming service.
What VPNs work with All 4?
Because VPNs allow you to watch All 4 in locations where it doesn’t have the rights to broadcast its content, All 4 tries to block VPNs from accessing its service.
The good news is All 4 doesn’t have the ability to block a VPN entirely however it can block the IP addresses it provides. These blocks are tough to get around and lesser VPNs struggle to remain compatible with the streaming service.
The VPNs that work with All 4 are the ones that can get around these blocking techniques.
ExpressVPN or NordVPN are very good at this. If All 4 blocks an IP address provided by either of these providers, they react faster than any other VPNs and will close that IP address and open a new one so there’s always one for you to connect to.
A lot of VPNs don’t have the infrastructure or the financial backing to be able to do this.
The VPNs that work with All 4 are the ones that can beat its blocks, and there’s none better than ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Best VPNs to watch All 4 outside UK 2024
1. ExpressVPN 🥇
The fastest and most reliable VPN of 2024
- ✔160 servers in 94 countries
- ✔24/7 Live Chat
- ✔8 simultaneous connections
- ✔New Apple TV app
- ✔30-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Expensive
- ❌No Password Manager
- ❌No Meshnet
- ❌No Dedicated IP
Streaming: ExpressVPN has been the best VPN for several years. What makes it better than the competition is its reliability with streaming services.
Servers: ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs in this regard, with servers based in 94 countries around the world. This is well above the 71-country average and is second only to HMA’s massive 218 supported countries.
Privacy: For privacy-conscious users, ExpressVPN also opens itself up to regular, and rigorous, third-party zero-log audits to prove its claims. You can find out a detailed list, and the results, of its Security Audits here.
Price: ExpressVPN has three payment options, a 1-month option costing $12.95/month, a 6-month option costing $9.99/month or a 12-month option costing $6.67/month. It accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and a variety of other payment systems.
Speeds: Below is a table that gives you an idea of the percentage drop-off you can expect when using ExpressVPN. From our tests, we got a 12-15% drop – which is very good from our test location (New Zealand).
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| No VPN (New Zealand) | 937.07 | 520.93 |
| ExpressVPN US server | 824.62 | 6.96 |
| ExpressVPN UK server | 794.95 | 3.70 |
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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2. NordVPN $3.19/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Extra encryption with Double VPN
- ✔5,500+ servers in 59 countries
- ✔SmartPlay technology to unblock 400+ geo-restricted streaming services
- ✔Free Meshnet + Password Manager
- ✔CyberSec feature for ad and malware blocking
- ❌The interface can be complex for new users
NordVPN is another excellent choice for YouTube TV viewers, thanks to its extensive network of high-speed servers in the US. Its servers are optimized for streaming, providing a stable and fast connection essential for uninterrupted viewing.
NordVPN also includes advanced security features like Double VPN and CyberSec, enhancing users’ online security and privacy. The service’s SmartPlay technology automatically selects the best server for streaming YouTube TV, simplifying the process for users.
Furthermore, NordVPN offers a strict no-logs policy and reliable customer support, making it a secure and user-friendly VPN option for YouTube TV enthusiasts.
Read our full NordVPN review.
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3. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔Strong encryption for secure connections
- ✔Extensive server network enhancing connectivity
- ✔Built-in ad and malware blocking
- ✔Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
PIA stands out for its large server network in the US, which is vital for accessing regional content on YouTube TV. It offers robust encryption protocols, ensuring a secure streaming experience.
PIA is known for its strong commitment to privacy, with a strict no-logs policy and the ability to block ads, trackers, and malware, which enhances the streaming experience.
The VPN provides good speeds for high-quality streaming and supports multiple devices simultaneously, allowing users to watch YouTube TV on various platforms. PIA’s interface is straightforward yet offers advanced settings for more experienced users, making it a versatile choice for YouTube TV viewers.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
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4. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔Cost-effective pricing
- ✔Servers optimized for P2P activities
- ✔Strict no browsing logs policy
- ✔Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections
- ❌Smaller server network compared to others
Ivacy is a great option for YouTube TV due to its optimized streaming servers in the US. It provides fast and reliable connections, which are crucial for streaming TV shows and movies without interruption.
Ivacy offers strong encryption to keep your online activity private and secure. It also includes a no-logs policy, ensuring your viewing habits are not recorded or monitored.
Ivacy stands out for its affordability, making it an excellent option for those who want a budget-friendly VPN without sacrificing quality. Additionally, Ivacy’s user-friendly interface and dedicated customer support make it a convenient choice for accessing YouTube TV.
Read our full Ivacy review.
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5. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Large server network with streaming-optimized servers
- ✔Strong encryption standards for security
- ✔Specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- ✔Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Speed performance can be mixed
CyberGhost is tailored for streaming services like YouTube TV, with dedicated servers optimized for this purpose. This specialization ensures that users get a smooth streaming experience with minimal buffering.
CyberGhost offers a wide range of US servers, increasing the likelihood of finding one that works well with YouTube TV. Its strong privacy protections, including military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy, keep users’ streaming activities secure.
The VPN’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to select the best server for YouTube TV, and its customer support is responsive and knowledgeable about streaming-related queries. CyberGhost is also a good choice for those who want to stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
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1. ExpressVPN 🥇
Why You Should Use ExpressVPN? It’s the fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2023
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
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Number of servers: 3,000+ | Speed: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 160 in 94 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $6.66/month for 15 months
- $9.99/month for 6 months
- $12.95/month for 1 month
ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is still the best VPN. And importantly, it ALWAYS has servers that are open with major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
ExpressVPN is usually very good at playing Cat and Mouse with online streaming sites. Meaning, whenever one of its servers is blacklisted it creates a new one – giving its users a constant stream of servers that aren’t blocked. Needless to say, this is a valuable attribute if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock streaming sites.
Its app is easy-to-use and free to download on pretty much any device you can think of. Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, FireStick, Android TV, Roku, PS4, Xbox, Linux, even Apple TV (with a workaround). It’s got it all covered.
The app is another main reason this VPN is so good at unblocking TV streaming sites (that claim they block VPNs) is that its software takes a pragmatic approach to user management. While other VPNs tempt customers by promising them access to hundreds/thousands of servers in multiple countries, ExpressVPN does things differently.
With ExpressVPN you only have a handful of server locations to choose from. Once you select your location the app takes care of the rest. Assigning you to the fastest available server that’s not oversubscribed. This simple technique is so important, as it keeps ExpressVPN’s servers operating at lightning-fast speeds and prevents its IPs from getting blacklisted for “abnormal” usage in the first place.
Check out our full ExpressVPN review.
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2. NordVPN 🥈
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ No logs
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 6-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ No refunds for purchases from iTunes/App store
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Number of servers: 5,000+ | Speeds: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 62 countries | Devices supported: 6 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $3.49/month for 2 years
- $6.99/month for 1 year
- $11.95/month for 1 month
NordVPN is the most widely-used VPN in the world. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished app that delivers fast connections (more on this later) to a massive network of VPN servers.
It’s the most reliable at unblocking popular streaming services too – US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. This is because NordVPN hired a full-time technical team (that’s responsible for monitoring its servers’ connections with popular TV streaming services) and has been aggressively investing in its network of IP addresses in key locations.
Another interesting thing to note is that NordVPN is an industry leader in its development of Nordlynx technology. Nordlynx is built using the WireGuard, a new VPN tunneling protocol designed to outperform current standards (OpenVPN and IPSec). The benefits, according to NordVPN, are dramatically faster transfer speeds while connected to a VPN. My tests – New Zealand to London – confirm that Nordlynx is currently the fastest VPN on the market. However, the difference isn’t dramatic, a few Mbps is all.
Read our NordVPN review.
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3. Private Internet Access
The BEST low-cost VPN for streaming!
Pros
- ✅ Fast and reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Only 48 server locations
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Number of servers: 25,000+ | Speed: >75% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 70 in 74 countries | Devices supported: 10 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.03/month for 3 years
- $7.50/month for 6 months
- $11.99/month for 1 month
Private Internet Access is one of the leading no-log VPN services with over 1-million paying customers.
This VPN is one of the best in the industry at beating streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ Amazon Prime Video, etc. It also allows 10 simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time, so you can share the account with your close friends.
If – for whatever reason – you’re not happy with Private Internet Access, there’s a 24/7 live chat support available to assist you with your problem. PIA also offers the industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
From my tests (from New Zealand) I was able to get download speeds of 70 Mbps while connected to a UK server using the Private Internet Access VPN (my non-VPN speed is 100 Mbps).
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4. Ivacy
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ Dedicated streaming servers
- ✅ 5-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
Cons
- ❌ Only 5 devices
- ❌ Sometimes runs slow
- ❌ Occasionally block by streaming sites for several days
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Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $1.16/month for 5 years
- $3.50/month for 1 year
- $9.99/month for 1 month
If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a great option.
This VPN has all the features you need to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world. I’ve been testing the app recently on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick and the results have been impressive – unlocking BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. with ease.
The Ivacy app is a little different in regards to its UX (user experience). Instead of just selecting a UK server, you need to select the specific BBC iPlayer server. Don’t worry, this isn’t a bad thing – by connecting to a dedicated BBC iPlayer server, it simply means that you’re connecting to an IP address that Ivacy knows works with BBC iPlayer.
For an extra $1.99/month (£1.74) you can add-on a dedicated IP. This will buy you sole access to an IP address in a country of your choice, meaning you won’t have to share your IP (and speeds) with any other use. I don’t recommend this though, using the regular Ivacy servers is enough 95 per cent of the time.
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5. CyberGhost
A very quick and trustworthy VPN
Pros
- ✅ 1-day free trial
- ✅ Reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 7-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Average speed scores
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Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.75/month for 3 years
- $3.69/month for 2 years
- $5.99/month for 1 year
- $12.99/month for 1 month
CyberGhost is one of the more established VPNs on the market. It has a well-established, and well-tested global network of servers that perform well.
From my tests over the past several months, CyberGhost has no trouble at unblocking major streaming services – US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc. This VPN performed well at maintaining download speeds, well above 65 per cent of my regular (non VPN) ISP speed.
That said, there’s nothing really unique about the service. Which forces you to look at its price-point. And there’s nothing special here. Its short-term $12.99/month price tag puts is well above the industry average of $10.10/month. Similarly, its long-term $2.75/month for 3 years deal isn’t much of a “deal” either.
Oddly, CyberGhost’s most unique feature is its a 1-day, no obligations, free trial. This is an appealing offer to customers who are new to VPNs. However, it’s important to remember that most reputable VPNs will offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try not to be too seduced by the offer.
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How to get the All 4 app outside UK
The easiest way to watch All 4 outside the UK is via the website. All you need to do is connect to a UK server on ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month) and visit the website. It’s that easy.
If you want the app, the process is still easy, but a little more complicated.
If you already have a UK-based Apple or Google account, all you need to do is download and connect to a UK server on ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($2.99/month) and you’ll have access to the UK version of those stores. Now you’ll be able to download the All 4 app abroad.
If you don’t have a UK-based Apple or Google account, you’ll need to go through some extra steps:
Apple Devices:
To get the All 4 app on Apple devices, you first need to gain access to the UK version of the Apple App Store. To do that, you need to create a UK-based Apple account.
This process is easy. You can read our article on how to get BBC iPlayer on the App Store outside the UK. Here you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to create a UK-based Apple account. It works anywhere in the world.
You’ll now be able to watch the All 4 app on your Apple device anywhere in the world.
Android Devices:
If you’re outside the UK, you’ll notice All 4 isn’t on the Google Play Store.
You need to download and install the All 4 APK file to get the All 4 app on Android devices. You can get it here.
An APK file is an Android Package Kit. It’s a file containing all the elements an app needs to install correctly on an Android device.
After installing the All 4 app via the APK file, you need to download ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or NordVPN ($3.19/month) and connect to a UK server. Again, this is so you can access the streaming services’ content.
Now you’ll be able to open All 4 on your Android device and watch its content anywhere in the world.