Turns out that Netflix subscribers in the UK are getting a pretty raw deal compared to those in the U.S. – but don’t worry there’s a way to fix it.
Subscribers to Netflix’s streaming service here in Blighty get half as many titles as our friends across the pond despite us paying around the same amount.
In fact an investigation by The Sun found that us Brits pay £7.49 for access to 3,000 titles while Americans can choose from 5,600 films and TV shows for the low, low price of just £7.05 per month.
Thankfully Netflix is trying to fix the disparity as quickly as it can, to provide the same service in all 130 countries where it operates. But their hands are bound by the boring world of international licensing, which is what decides which programmes and movies Netflix can legally stream.
The good news (according to the fabulous people over at The Mirror) is that you can trick Netflix into thinking you’re in a different country which will give you access to a whole library of glorious foreign content.
It’s relatively simple to do this as well, all you have to is use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which you’ll find with a simple Google search. This amazing tool basically tricks your computer into thinking it’s based in another country, by giving you a new IP address based outside of the UK.
So if you fool Netflix into thinking that you’re in America using the VPN then you’ll be able to access loads of content that otherwise would be blocked.
Even better it’s perfectly legal to watch Netflix over a VPN, and there are plenty of free options out there. However it’s probably best to use a paid service, simply because some unscrupulous hackers have been known to offer free codes which reroute to their server where they’ll steal your personal information or worse.
I should also warn you as well that while it’s legal, Netflix’s Terms of Service does state that it may terminate or restrict your account without compensation or notice if you are engaged in ‘improper’ use of the service, although they’ve never actually done that to anyone using a VPN.
Here’s a break down of how to get the U.S version
Instructions
1. Sign out of Netflix on all devices.
The easiest way to do this is to go to www.netflix.com and sign in.
At the top-right of the screen hover over your Profile image and click ‘Your Account’. Under Settings click Sign out of all devices and click the Sign Out button to continue.
2. Change your device’s DNS server address
Go into the network settings on your device and change the DNS server address to that of your chosen VPN provider again we recommend using a paid service.
3. Make sure that your VPN service is set to the US
Go to www.unblock-us.com – or whichever VPN provider you’re using – sign in, pick your Netflix region and click ‘Update’.
4. Sign back into Netflix
Visit Netflix.com or fire-up your device’s Netflix app, and you’ve got access to American Netflix.
5. Troubleshooting
If you still have a problem, repeat these instructions!
Have fun streaming!
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.