U: TV is a free streaming service offering a wide range of British TV shows, available to stream on demand. Formerly known as UKTV Play, it has become a go-to platform for those who love classic comedies, gripping dramas, and fascinating documentaries.
With content from popular UK channels like U&Dave, U&Drama, and U&Yesterday, U: TV gives you access to thousands of hours of top-tier entertainment. Whether you’re into binge-worthy box sets or catching up on the latest episodes, this service provides it all.
However, the platform is only available in the UK. The only way to watch UKTV Play in Ireland is with the help of a VPN.
If you try to use it while in Ireland (without a VPN), you will encounter an error message like the one below:
“Sorry, currently our video library can only be watched from within the UK.”
I was able to unblock U: TV Player in Ireland with the help of a VPN, like Surfshark. It is a safe, fast VPN with efficient servers.
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Overview of U: TV
- Live TV Streaming: No
- Subscription: Free
- Channels: 4 U channels
- On-Demand Content: Yes
- Offline Viewing: Yes
- Catch-Up TV: Yes
- HD and 4K Content: HD, with some in Ultra HD (4K)
How to Watch UKTV Play in Ireland
Since U: TV Player is not accessible outside the UK, you will need to connect to a VPN service if you want to unblock it in Ireland.
If you don’t know how to proceed, don’t worry, just follow these steps to stream on U: TV Player:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN service (Surfshark is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Open the app and connect to a UK Server (e.g. Docklands)
Step 4: Open the U: TV website and click on “Sign In“
Step 5: Click on register to create a new account, or else sign in
Step 6: Enter your email and password
Step 7: Enter your personal details and UK postal code (e.g., SW1A 0AA and M1 1AE)
Step 8: Click on the play button
Step 9: You’ll be redirected to the homepage
Step 10: Scroll down and choose any show you want to watch (e.g., Miss Scarlet and the Duke)
Step 11: Select a season/episode you want to watch
Step 12: Enjoy streaming!
Best VPNs to Unblock U: TV Player in Ireland
I tested 35+ VPN services and concluded that there is no overall top VPN since they have distinct features that make them better than each other in different ways.
However, when it comes to watching UKTV in Ireland, we have shortlisted the 3 best ones to choose from.
1. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Unblocking UKTV Play
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 4500+ servers in 100 countries |
| US Server locations | Multiple servers across London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh |
| Price | €1.99 /mo. (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Unlimited devices – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Fast Streaming | Uninterrupted streaming with Higher bandwidth per user, and numerous servers |
| Added Privacy | Secure the connection with Camouflage Mode, AES-256-GCM Encryption, Kill Switch, and No-Logs Policy. |
Recommended Servers: London, Manchester, Glasgow
Surfshark is the best VPN for accessing UKTV Play in Ireland. Its affordability and top-notch technology make SurfShark VPN a contender on our list.
Upon testing, I was satisfied with its efficiency in unblocking geo-blocked services and channels and full forward secrecy to protect my privacy.
The VPN service also helps unblock other geo-restricted channels/services in Ireland like 9 Now, Servus TV, 7Plus, Netflix, Prime Video etc.
2. NordVPN – Biggest Server Pool to Access UKTV Play
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 8300+ servers in 60 countries |
| US Server locations | 440+ Servers across UK |
| Price | NordVPN price (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Device Compatibility | Up to 10 devices simultaneously – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Faster streaming with a Wider server range & NordLynx Protocol. |
| Added Privacy | Military-grade encryption, Double VPN, CyberSec, and No logs policy, |
Recommended Servers: London, Edinburgh, Glasgow
NordVPN has a big pool of servers and offers smooth streaming. The VPN has a very user-friendly interface, so you can navigate through it conveniently.
When tested for unblocking UKTV Play, its vast network of servers provided a stable and fast connection for seamless streaming.
Besides UKTV Play, it also helps in accessing other geo-restricted channels/services in Ireland, like ORF, Hulu, FuboTV, Sling, BBC iPlayer etc.
3. ExpressVPN – Another VPN for Streaming U: TV Player
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Servers | 3200 servers in 100+ countries |
| UKTV Play Server locations | Multiple servers in London, East London, Wembley, and the Docklands |
| Exclusive deal | €4.87/month (30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Multi-Device Compatibility | Connect up to 10 to 12 devices at once – Windows, Android, Mac, and more |
| Enhanced Streaming | Fast and throttle-free streaming with Smart DNS, Split Tunnelling, and Lightway Protocol. |
| Top-notch Privacy | Digital privacy with 256-bit Encryption, Kill Switch, and No Log policy. |
Recommended Servers: London, East London and Docklands
To have a seamless streaming experience through the vast network of high-speed servers when watching your favourite shows and sports on geo-restricted services.
Speed Test: When I connected to the Docklands Server and tested its speed, it came out to be 41 Mbps out of 50 Mbps.
Beyond UKTV Play: You can access other geo-restricted channels/services in Ireland, such as USA Network, PBS, Frndly TV, Prende TV, etc.
Why Do I Need a VPN to Access UKTV Play in Ireland?
Due to licensing agreements and copyright restrictions, UKTV Play is only accessible to users within the UK. To bypass these geo-restrictions and access the streaming service from outside the UK, you’ll need a VPN.
A VPN allows you to change your virtual location by connecting to a server in another country. For example, by connecting to a UK server, your device will be assigned a UK IP address, making it appear as if you’re browsing from within the UK.
Once you’re connected to a UK server, you’ll gain complete access to U: TV Player and its extensive library of content, including popular British shows, dramas, and documentaries. Surfshark is the best VPN.
What Can You Watch on UKTV Play in Ireland?
Check out our curated list to kickstart your binge-watching with the best British TV shows available on U: TV Player.
| Comedy | Documentaries | Drama | Entertainment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks and Recreation | Robson Green: World's Most Amazing Walks | Smother | Bangers & Cash |
| Birds of a Feather | Abandoned Engineering | Elementary | Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake |
| Two Doors Down | Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake Christmas Special | The Brokenwood Mysteries | MasterChef Australia |
| Clash of the Comics | Flipping Bangers | NCIS: New Orleans | Will and Ralf Should Know Better |
| Would I Lie to You? | Canal Boat Diaries | Seal Team | Richard Osman's House of Games |
Compatible Devices for U: TV Player
How to Watch U: TV Player in Ireland on Mobile
U: TV offers an official app for various streaming devices, including smartphones. However, since the service is geo-restricted to the UK, you won’t be able to download it directly from the Google Play Store or App Store if you’re in Ireland.
To stream U: TV Player on your mobile in Ireland, we suggest downloading the APK version of the app. Simply follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1: Subscribe to Surfshark VPN App and connect to the UK server.
Step 2: Download the U: TV Player apk
Step 3: Install the app
Step 4: Accept or Reject the cookies
Step 5: Sign in or Register for free
Step 6: Enter your credentials
Step 7: Go to the “categories/channels” from the bottom menu bar
Step 8: Select a channel for shows to watch, e.g. U&Dave, and choose a show to watch, e.g. Son of Anarchy
Step 9: Select a season/episode
Step 10: Choose whether you want to turn on the Parental Controls or not
Step 11: Start streaming!
Other Free Streaming Services to Watch in Ireland
With the help of a VPN and connecting to the UK server, you can watch tons of UK channels and streaming services for free. Some of them are listed below:
FAQs – UKTV Play
1. What is U: TV?
Formerly known as UKTV Player, U: TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service offering on-demand access to a wide range of British TV shows. It includes popular content from channels like U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, and U&Yesterday.
2. Is U: TV available outside the UK?
U: TV is geo-restricted to the UK. If you’re outside the UK, you’ll need a VPN to access the platform by connecting to a UK server.
3. Do I need a subscription to watch U: TV?
No, U: TV is completely free to use. It is ad-supported, meaning you’ll see occasional ads while streaming content.
4. Can I watch U: TV on my smart TV?
Yes, U: TV is available on smart TVs from popular brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. It’s also available on streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Google Chromecast.
Conclusion
U: TV Player is a widely popular free streaming service that provides access to all U channels, along with a diverse range of content, from classic comedy to reality shows and documentaries.
However, it is exclusively available to viewers in the UK. To watch U: TV Player in Ireland, connect to a reliable VPN. Surfshark is the best VPN to bypass geo-restrictions within seconds.
