Regardless of which end of whatever pond you're on, region blocked content is annoying. Whether you're an ex-pat looking to watch reruns of The Wonder Years, or you're a hankering for a dose of Dr. Who, here's the best (and easiest) way to get that content.
One of the big problems with streaming content overseas (or from an overzealous college campus that blocks everything) is that the landscape for doing so changes a lot. Just a few years ago you had to jump through a lot of hoops, but in most cases it's now as simple as a using an extension or web service. First, let's look at our favorite way of getting to the bulk of online content. Then, we'll look at the alternatives that give you access to just about anything you want.
The Easiest Method: Hola Unblocker
The previously mentioned Hola Unblocker extension for Firefox and Chrome is the simplest way to reliably watch the bulk of streaming content no matter where you are. You can get access to Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, CBS, Fox, BBC, and more using just the extension. You can also add a few more services, including AETV, Google Play, Syfy, YouTube, USA Network, and others using the Windows client. All you need to do is install the extension, and Hola Unblocker does the rest. It's incredibly simple.
If all you need to do is access a few choice streaming services, Hola Unblocker is the easiest way to do it because it doesn't interfere with any other settings (or your overall internet access speed). That said, it doesn't support that many services. For that, you need to dig a little deeper.
Alternative Methods
Hola Unblocker is fantastic because it's fast, and doesn't require a lick of technical know-how. That said, it's pretty limited in what content you can stream. If you're looking to watch videos or listen to music from other services, here are a few more great options.
- Unblock.Us: Unblock.Us was our pick for the easiest way to watch the Olympics on the BBC, and it's still one of the simplest ways to get around region-blocked content, blocks from your ISP, and any other censorship you run into. You get a free week-long trial, and it's $4.99 a month after that. For a free alternative, check out Tunlr. Both services also support set-top boxes like the Apple TV and Playstation 3.
- Use Any VPN You Want: Another option is to set up a VPN to reroute your traffic through servers in other counties. Any VPN will do (although you might want to stick with one of these five). If you subscribe to a Usenet service like GigaNews, you might even get a VPN for free as part of the package. This keeps your data a lot more private than the above services, but it will likely slow down your connection.
- Tunnelbear: If you want an incredibly easy-to-use, on-off switch, Tunnelbear works wonders. Simply download the software, flip the switch to the location you want, and you can start streaming immediately. When you want your normal internet back, turn it off. The free version will only get you 500 MB for the month (probably less than an hour of streaming), but $4.99/month gets you unlimited access.
- Set up a Proxy Server: If a browser extension is more your style then using a proxy service is easy enough. The speeds won't be that great, but it's easy to shut off when you're done. You can also try the Tor browser for a few more options.
- Media Hint: Much like Hola Unblocker, Media Hint is an extension for Chrome and Firefox that automatically unblocks content you come across on Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, and Rdio. Unfortunately, it's no longer available directly in the Chrome Store, so you'll have to manually install it.
This should give you access to pretty much any region blocked streaming content out there for right now. As other services pop up we'll give them a shot and update when something simpler (or more encompassing) comes along.
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