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Private Internet Access or PIA are a reputable, long standing Premium VPN provider with a very large server location selection across the world, but just how effective are their servers for accessing streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer etc in the UK specifically?
That’s what we are going to cover in this guide. Private Internet Access currently offer UK servers in London (including streaming optimized server), Manchester, and Southampton, so there’s a good selection, but do they actually allow you to access UK based streaming sites, or are they blocked?
I tested all the major UK streaming platforms, and the results were largely positive, with 6 of the 7 services tested working fine using Private Internet Access UK servers:
- Netflix UK – works
- BBC iPlayer – works
- Amazon Video UK – works
- Disney Plus UK – works
- All 4 – works
- My 5 – doesn’t work
- ITV Hub – works
However, there is sometimes some switching of servers and playing around with settings needed to get it to work.
Let’s look at how I fared with each service in turn using PIA UK servers.
Does Private Internet Access Work With Netflix UK? (Tested)
Netflix are one of the most popular streaming sites in the UK as most other countries, so it’s a really important one to get to work, and for Private Internet Access users, there’s good news!
Private Internet Access (PIA) does currently work with the UK version of Netflix. It is possible to log into your UK Netflix account using a Private Internet Access UK server connection, without being blocked.
When I tried it, any and all of the UK servers worked fine with Netflix – I could log into my account just fine with no alerts or blocking. This is an excellent bonus, as Netflix has been one of the most aggressive companies in blocking VPN server usage on their platform.
But for now, PIA works in unblocking Netflix in the UK, though this isn’t guaranteed indefinitely going forward.
Does Private Internet Access Work With BBC iPlayer UK? (Tested)
Now let’s move onto the BBC iPlayer service – another one that gets huge use in the UK. Can you watch EastEnders on the iPlayer for example using a PIA UK server, or any other of the programs or box sets they’ve got?
It’s a little bit more complicated for the iPlayer, but the basic answer is still yes:
Private Internet Access does currently work with BBC iPlayer, but only using the Streaming Optimized London server. However, all the other PIA UK servers are currently blocked by iPlayer.
With this one, I did have to experiment and change servers and settings to get it to work. I initially tried the Manchester server, but was immediately blocked by the iPlayer:
I also tried changing the VPN Protocol from within the Settings menu, from OpenVPN to Wireguard, but it was still blocked.
I also tried the normal London servers, again with both protocols – iPlayer was still blocked.
I finally got it to work only by using the London – Streaming Optimized server.
Therefore iPlayer is also good to go for now when using PIA, but only just, so it’s perhaps a little precarious. If they manage to find and block even the streaming optimized UK server, then you’ll struggle to access iPlayer using Private Internet Access.
Does Private Internet Access Work With Amazon Video UK? (Tested)
Amazon Prime Video is another very popular streaming service, so I tried that as well, and the results were great.
Private Internet Access does currently work with the UK version of Amazon Video. It is possible to log into your UK Amazon Prime Video account using a PIA UK server connection, without being blocked.
As with Netflix, I had no problems accessing this service using PIA servers. I logged into my account, accessed my library and started watching films and TV shows fine using their UK servers (all locations seemed to work).
Check current PIA pricing/plans
Does Private Internet Access Work With Disney Plus UK?
Disney Plus is one of those services that’s really unpredictable, with some VPNs struggling to access the service. Thankfully, with PIA, I actually got good results.
Private Internet Access does currently work with the UK version of Disney Plus. It is possible to log into your UK Disney+ account using a PIA UK server connection, without being blocked.
When trying other VPNs, I have known the Disney Plus UK site to just not load at all, and instead produce a blank, black screen. However, for now, when using Private Internet Access UK servers, the site loads fine and allows you to sign up or login.
Does Private Internet Access Work With All 4 UK? (Tested)
All 4 is another UK based on demand streaming service that’s got lots of shows and box sets that people really want to watch, with the Inbetweeners movies and TV series being a personal favorite of many that are on the platform. Again, when using PIA, it’s good news:
Private Internet Access does currently work with the All 4 streaming service. It is possible to log into your All 4 account using a PIA UK server connection, and stream shows without being blocked.
Again, any of the UK servers seem to work fine here. I used the Manchester server without any problems, so there’s no need to resort to the Streaming Optimized server, though you can if you want to.
Does Private Internet Access Work With My 5 UK? (Tested)
Very similar to the All 4 app, the My 5 service is Channel 5’s version of their own catch up TV service, with loads of series and shows on there. Unfortunately, this was the first real failure when trying PIA; it was definitely detected and blocked by the platform.
I got this message:
The My 5 streaming service doesn’t currently work when using Private Internet Access UK servers. You will need to use a different VPN or an unmasked, non-VPN connection from within the UK to access this service.
Unfortunately, I had the same problem testing another VPN recently – it worked with most of the others, but specifically the My 5 service was also blocked. Even trying the London Streaming Optimized server didn’t work for My 5 – it was still blocked. Whatever VPN detection and blocking methods they’re using seem to be more advanced than the other platforms.
Therefore it’s a no go for the time being in terms of using PIA servers to access My 5. Try ExpressVPN instead if you can.
Does Private Internet Access Work With ITV Hub UK? (Tested)
Now let’s come to the last tested streaming service – the excellent ITV Hub catch-up on demand streaming service. This is great for Coronation Street fans especially, who want to watch the latest shows on catch-up on the app, but does it work with PIA servers?
Private Internet Access does currently work with the ITV Hub player in the UK. It is possible to log into your ITV Hub account using a PIA UK server connection, and stream shows without being blocked.
I managed to stream several shows off the platform using the standard Manchester server with no problems, so as of the time of writing, you don’t even need to using the streaming server. All UK servers seem to work fine with ITV Hub.
Strategy For Testing Private Internet Access With Streaming Services
In fairness, a 6 out of 7 hit rate for Private Internet Access allowing access to the UK streaming services I tested is very good, considering how aggressively some streaming platforms are blocking VPN usage now.
However, my test results are only correct at the time of writing, and may not be true in a few months if streaming services detect and block the IP addresses that Private Internet Access is currently using.
It’s also true that even if you don’t initially get PIA, or any other VPN, to work with streaming services, that doesn’t mean you should give up straight away. There are server and other settings changes you can modify to try and get it to work.
The bottom line is that like any VPN, Private Internet Access may or may NOT work with any given streaming service, but here’s a good process for testing it out, wherever in the world you’re based:
- If one UK server doesn’t work, try switching to another one (currently with PIA, you’ve got London, Manchester, and Southampton to choose from). Also try specifically using the London Streaming Optimized server for best results.
- Also try switching the VPN protocol between OpenVPN and WireGuard, or vice versa. Click the 3 dots burger icon at the top right of the PIA interface, then go to Settings…Protocols and change to the one currently not being used, reconnect and try again.
- Like most Premium VPNs, they’ve got 24/7 live support, so open up a live chat with them for any more suggestions they can give you to get it to work.
- If you’ve tried all the options and it still doesn’t work, they have a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can always get a refund within the first month if you find it doesn’t work with your favorite streaming service. So it’s still effectively risk free.
- If you’re wanting a more top-end Premium VPN optimized for streaming, then ExpressVPN is our recommendation, though it’s more expensive.
