Watch Strictly Come Dancing Online in 2024
Strictly Come Dancing is back again for another season full of foxtrots, quick steps, and waltzes. For those in the UK, you can tune in to BBC One or stream it on BBC iPlayer, but if you’re outside of the UK, you’re out of luck. If you try to watch BBC iPlayer from another country, it’ll block you since it will see that you don’t have a UK IP address.
Technically, a VPN can give you a UK IP address, which could hypothetically let you access BBC iPlayer from anywhere. However, using a VPN to do this goes against BBC iPlayer’s T&Cs and could constitute copyright infringement.
If you’re in the UK, though, and have licensed access to BBC iPlayer, you can stream Strictly Come Dancing safely with a VPN. I tested 50+ VPNs, and my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It keeps you safe with the most robust security features and delivers the fastest speeds to ensure lag-free HD streaming, so you won’t miss out on any moves. You can try it risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Strictly Come Dancing Online in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN as it consistently delivers the fastest speeds to let you stream in HD while keeping your data safe.
- If you’re in the UK, connect to a nearby server. From your location in the UK, choose a server close to you to minimize speed loss.
- Start streaming. Head to BBC iPlayer and start watching Strictly Come Dancing.
Benefits of Using a VPN
Besides protecting your connection while you stream BBC iPlayer, a VPN gives you so much more. There are several additional security benefits.
A quality VPN keeps you safe online by masking your IP and encrypting your data, meaning nobody can see what you’re doing online or what data you’re transmitting.
As a bonus, a VPN can sometimes improve your connection speeds by routing your connection through a server that’s less congested or of a higher quality than your own ISP would use. This is highly noticeable when streaming or gaming, giving you a smooth, buffer, and glitch-free connection.
Best VPNs for Watching Strictly Come Dancing
1. ExpressVPN
Tested October 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
ExpressVPN is the leader in high-speed servers, as well as being one of the top choices in reliability, and dedicated customer service including 24/7 technical assistance.
ExpressVPN may not be the most affordable VPN provider, but it ensures secure streaming of your preferred shows. Superior services usually come with a slightly higher charge, providing you with enhanced security and top-notch customer service. ExpressVPN follows this model, offering exceptional service that matches the price you pay.
With around 160 locations and a massive 3,000 servers worldwide, ExpressVPN also uses TrustedServer technology, meaning you’ll never miss your favorite streaming shows. ExpressVPN includes high level, military grade AES-256 bit encryption, a kill switch, and also a no-logs policy. It also offers 24/7 live chat, so you can get support whenever you need it.
You can use ExpressVPN with up to 8 connections simultaneously and they have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer.
Supports torrenting:
- Yes, all servers support P2P activity.
ExpressVPN works on these devices:
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It also offers an app for use with certain routers.
2. CyberGhost
With this popular VPN provider, you’re given a good balance of great pricing and a high-quality, full-featured VPN service in one. With its easy-to-use system, servers located in 100 countries, totaling 11,690 around the world, you’ll have access to features that will fulfill all your streaming needs.
CyberGhost also offers world-class security with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. It features built-in malware, and ad-blocking software, OpenVPN protocol, as well as DNS, and IP leak protection, plus many other security features.
CyberGhost’s packages are great value with a 45-day money-back guarantee on short plans, and a 45-day guarantee on plans of 6-months or longer. With the ability to have 7 connections at once, it’s easily one of our top options for streaming and browsing content online.
- Dedicated streaming profile with servers optimized for: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Comedy Central, Eurosport, ESPN, and others.
Supports torrenting:
- Yes; dedicated profile shows countries and number of users.
CyberGhost works on these devices:
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, Linux, and Chrome.
Where Can I Watch Strictly Come Dancing Online?
Due to copyright and licensing laws, Strictly Come Dancing is not available outside the UK. BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms, can see your location by looking at your IP address. If it detects you’re not in the UK, you’ll be blocked — this is called geoblocking. If you are outside the UK and try to watch it (or any other show on BBC iPlayer), you’ll receive an error message stating:
“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it's due to rights issues. In the UK? Here's some advice.”
Summary
Viewers in the UK can tune into BBC One or stream the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC iPlayer, but those currently outside the UK won’t be able to watch it. Although a VPN could hypothetically let you watch the show from abroad, note that using a VPN for that purpose might break BBC iPlayer’s T&Cs and even constitute copyright infringement. The team and I don’t condone this.
However, if you are in the UK and you want to stream Strictly Come Dancing safely in HD, I recommend using ExpressVPN. It has top-of-the-range security features and won’t cause major slowdowns in your speeds. You can even try ExpressVPN with zero risk since it offers a 30-day refund guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with it, it’s easy to request your money back.
Further Reading
For a more comprehensive list of VPNs to use with BBC iPlayer, check out the 5 Best BBC iPlayer VPNs.
Looking for the most recent VPN deals available? Check them out by clicking on this month’s Best VPN Deals & Coupon Codes.
To summarize, the best VPNs to watch Strictly Come Dancing online in 2024 are...
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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