The Olympics is going to start tomorrow and most of us will be at work or away from our TVs during the various sporting events. Luckily with the BBC app for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry’s, you will be able to watch the events from wherever you are.
There is one minor hurdle and that is the fact that streaming is only allowed if you live in the UK. But, there’s an easy fix. All you need is a VPN server based in the UK. This is similar to using a VPN to sign up to Spotify or Pandora except in this case we want BBC to think we live in the UK not US. So here is what you need:
UK Based VPN Server
I use StrongVPN and their $55 a year package includes both US and UK servers. I currently have mine set to the UK server so I can watch the Olympics on my phone. Here is a link to their [Website]
When you get to their website, click on packages, then on the bottom of that page click on “click here to see all our packages” and then choose their cheapest $55 a year package.
Once you’re done move over to the next step
Download the BBC Mobile Apps
Android
Apple iOS
BlackBerry
or
Watch Online
To watch online you need visit the BBC website [Here]
I’m currently on a 20Mbps connection and have a ping rate of around 124ms with the UK server and on my desktop I find the video a bit pixelated but this might improve once the Olympics officially starts tomorrow. On the phone it’s not noticeable. One thing to note with the iPhone app is you need to get it from the UK store so if you don’t have a UK Apple Store account you need to create one.
NBC Olympics Live Extra
US based NBC have an iPhone, iPad and Android application and will be offering live streaming for US residents. BUT, other than a US based VPN you would also need to have a cable, satellite or telco TV service package that includes CNBC and MSNBC.
14 replies on “How to watch the Olympics online and on your phone”
I’ll just probably see the gold medal tally at the end of the month.
You can’t live stream with the NBC app if you are overseas. I’m in Kuwait for vacation and I have a provider but they’re are saying it does not work in our region
U can just use a vpn
Download and install spotflux, it’s a free US based VPN. I use it all the time and it’s great.
there are free vpns but since all your personal info is going through the vpn i wouldn’t trust a free one. if all you will be using it for is the olympics thats not an issue of course.
If you have root on android, just download an app called market enabler and just choose a UK carrier; then just download it from the market normally.
On a different note, does anyone know where it’s airing in kuwait? Which channel?
OSN
Or use osn play on a laptop .. they are streaming live too
Still wating for the apps!
oh i didnt know, gonna check it out now
Al Jazeera too..
Thanks for the blonde friendly VPN instructions. Can I have your # for additional installation support? ;P
https://justdwl.net/tracks/2012-london-olympics-games-live-stream.html
You can watch online from this website.
Hmm me thinks some countries where there is no online rights agreement gets to view it live on youtube!
pretty cool overview:
https://www.olympic.org/content/broadcaster-home/