ITV is a leading television network in the United Kingdom and is also one of the UK's oldest networks. It's home to some of the UK's biggest shows, such as Love Island and Britain's Got Talent. You can watch numerous dramas, reality TV, and live events with ITV’s packages.
ITV's relatively new streaming service ITVX allows ITV customers to access a wide array of content online. However, this is only possible from within the boundaries of the UK.
This means that Australians wanting to watch ITV's iconic content library are in a tough spot. This is because ITV restricts users from accessing its services outside of the UK.
Fortunately, this guide provides a solution to that. In this article, you'll find out how to use a VPN to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.
How to watch ITV from Australia with a VPN
- Choose a high-quality VPN with UK servers. We recommend NordVPN, now 74% OFF
- Download the VPN from its official website or your app store
- Install the app on your device
- Connect to a UK server
- Sign in or sign up to ITV
- Start streaming ITV from Australia
Why do you need a VPN to watch ITV in Australia?
If you want to watch ITV content via ITVX from Australia (or any other non-UK area), you'll encounter geo-blocking restrictions put in place by ITV. This happens because the website detects your non-UK IP (Internet Protocol) address.
You may be able to sign up, but it won't let you stream anything with an Australian IP. If you managed to sign up to ITV from Australia, you would see an error message when trying to watch a show or film.
VPN software can re-route your internet connection through a country-specific IP, and websites don't know the difference. So if you connect to a UK VPN server, the site will begin to stream free content for you.
This isn't the only magic a VPN can do, though. VPNs also keep your internet connection much safer and more private and reduce your digital trail.
Best VPN to watch ITV in Australia
- NordVPN – the most reliable VPN for ITV
- Surfshark – an affordable VPN
- IPVanish – a sophisticated alternative VPN
Below, you'll find our top VPNs that are perfect for watching ITV from Australia. We've narrowed down the list to the best three providers because few VPNs can reliably and safely mimic a UK IP address so that the ITV platform can let you in.
1. NordVPN – smoothest VPN for ITV
| Number of AU servers: | 190+ |
| Speed: | Very fast |
| Supported streaming devices: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Unblocks ITV: | Yes |
NordVPN has over 190 servers in Australia in 5 locations. This is important when you want to refresh or switch servers due to issues or server crowding.
Servers and streaming. NordVPN has 6900+ servers globally, and its Australian servers are no exception when it comes to streaming speed and reliability.
Speed. We found that NordVPN delivered excellent speeds via its NordLynx protocol, even from Australia. It consistently streamed UK content in HD without buffering and consumed only 10% of the baseline speed.
Unblocking ability. NordVPN unblocked the ITV sign-up and streaming process without issues.
2. Surfshark – best affordable VPN with good features
| Number of AU servers: | 40+ |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Supported streaming devices: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Unblocks ITV: | Yes |
Surfshark has Australian servers in key locations like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. It also has a solid suite of privacy and security features.
Servers and streaming. Surfshark offers 3200+ global servers, ensuring you can always connect to services like ITV reliably from Australia.
Speed. Our VPN tests showed that Surfshark only consumed 14% of baseline speed on Australian servers, which means your streaming will be smooth when connected to a UK server.
Unblocking ability. We had no issues unblocking ITV services with a Surfshark VPN server.
3. IPVanish – transparent VPN with WireGuard
| Number of AU servers: | 50+ |
| Speed: | Medium |
| Supported streaming devices: | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Unblocks ITV: | Yes |
IPVanish is a US-based VPN with a long history that offers great privacy features while operating its own server infrastructure in Australia.
Servers and streaming. 2400+ servers in 100 countries with proprietary infrastructure and the WireGuard protocol are good news for Australian streamers.
Speed. The speeds are adequate across great distances, consuming about 20% of the baseline speed when using far-away servers like those in the UK.
Unblocking ability. With a good server presence in the UK, we found that IPVanish reliably unblocked ITV from Australia via a UK server.
Comparison of the best VPNs to watch ITV
Next, we'll look at our top three VPN providers in this guide in more detail. We’ll compare their prices, number of servers, speeds, and overall rating.
| Provider | Our rating | Price | Number of servers | Number of servers in UK | Speed retention (%) |
| NordVPN | $2.99/month (around AU$4.60/month) | 6900 | 190+ | 90% | |
| Surfshark | AU$2.89/month | 3200 | 40+ | 86% | |
| IPVanish | AU$3.30/month | 2400 | 50+ | 80% |
VPN not working when trying to watch ITV in Australia
Sometimes, you may run into some common issues even with a top VPN. Thankfully, these issues are not difficult to resolve. Take a look at why ITV isn't working with a VPN:
- Connection drops frequently. If the VPN protocol is unstable, this can happen. Ensure your VPN is set to automatically detect and change protocols according to the situation.
- Poor streaming quality. This can depend on both the website itself and the VPN server. Most often, it's enough to refresh your server by clicking on the country icon.
- VPN app crashes. This can happen due to insufficient storage on your device or the fact that you need to update your system and apps.
- Can't connect to VPN. Your device must be configured so that it allows the VPN application through the firewall. Most modern devices have no issue with this.
What can you watch on ITV?
ITVX streams a very wide selection of films, TV series, and shows that cater to every taste. From blockbusters to iconic British dramas, there's something for everyone.
Movies and TV shows
On ITVX, you can stream Hollywood hits like Mr & Mrs. Smith, Magic Mike, and The Terminator, as well as family favorites like Despicable Me and Trolls.
Furthermore, you can catch classics like James Bond films, Jurassic World, and comedies like Austin Powers.
Documentaries
On ITVX, you can catch top-rated documentaries like The Real Story of the Royals, A Murder in The Family, Alexander Litvinenko: The Investigation, The Case Against Cosby, and many more.
Sports
Sports lovers can watch a variety of sports content, including live events and on-demand action.
For instance, you can catch UEFA 2024, the FA Cup, Community Shield, Six Nation Rugby, MotoGP, British Touring Car Championship, and even horse racing events.
Final Thoughts
ITV (via the ITVX streaming platform) offers existing and new UK subscribers practically the entire ITV catalog of domestic and international content. However, this is restricted to viewers and subscribers in the UK.
This guide has shown you how our top streaming VPNs for Australia, such as NordVPN, will help you bypass ITV geo-restrictions. This will allow you to both sign up to ITVX and stream it freely. Whether it's spicy Love Island action or glamorous Britain's Got Talent content, VPNs are worth it because they will let you access this content in full quality all the way from Australia.
FAQ
Does ITV stream free content?
Yes, ITVX streams a lot of free content. However, if you subscribe to ITVX Premium with a high-quality VPN, such as NordVPN, you get a lot more content, downloads, and an ad-free experience. You also get exclusive content.
How can I watch ITV outside of the UK?
You need a VPN to watch ITV outside of the UK. You can subscribe via a UK server from anywhere, but you will only get the free tier. If you want more than that, you can purchase the Premium plan with a UK-linked bank account or card.
What is the best streaming service for British shows in Australia?
Most users claim that BritBox is the best streaming service for British shows in Australia. BritBox has a vast collection of British TV and films. It's a joint venture between BBC and ITV.