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Region lock is a pain in the media-loving arse; while we have some decent content in the UK, most of the US-centric stuff is locked to those actually in the US. Yes, you can use a VPN to get to it, but now there’s an even easier way. Install this simple Media Hint browser extension for free and watch Hulu, American Netflix, and even stream Pandora in the UK, with one click.
As long as you’re running Firefox or Chrome, it really is as simple as clicking install on the extension and bob’s your uncle, it makes you look like you’re in the US. If you already have a UK Netflix account, you’ll be given access to the American library, which is vastly superior to what we’re given in the UK.
Who knows how long this thing will actually last, but it’s great while it works. Considering it doesn’t actually cost you anything, it’s certainly worth a try. Just be sure to turn it off when you’re accessing your bank or something; you can’t be too careful these days. [Media Hint via TNW]
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Been using http://www.hotspotshield.com for years – I guess they work the same.
i used to use hotspot shield but hulu kept blocking it. didn’t know it was working again nowadays
I’ve not used it with Hulu but otherwise it works like a charm for the daily show or southpark.
Great tip many thanks!
Sounds brilliant, but not working for me! Have tried reinstalling the extension in Chrome several times, but it is not showing, even though enabled. Any takers?
Might have to just stick with the VPN instead
Extension didn’t show but was working. since it has no user input I guess it doesn’t need to appear in the menu bar. Was able to do a quick test on Hulu.
You are right! Thanks for the tip. I just tested Netflix, and had to log into the brit side first, then close the page, enable the plugin and then load up Netflix.com to get the US stuff. Not bad!
Sneaky, I like it!
Is this against the user agreement or is it 100% legit? (Not that I’ve never bent a user agreement to my capricious will before). Just wondering if, like jailbreaking, it ends up being a constant cat and mouse that could result in the mouse terminating your account meaning you don’t make it to the end of a series of Arrested Development.
Arrested Development is on the UK Netflix anyway, no need to use this for it
Proxies/VPNs/DNS routing etc isn’t anything new really, it’s been around for ages and I’ve used similar services for the last 6 months maybe?
not a problem so far!
I do like that your Netflix account gives you access to the other libraries if you’re in that location (or spoofing lol). It’s a nice perk.
Yeah, I’m not worried that the feds will kick down my door or anything, I’m just wondering whether Netflix might, at some point in the future, cancel people’s accounts or block access or something. I presume that this is contrary to their user agreements, because their license to broadcast the material will be on a per-country basis.
It’s a bit like watching Sky in Spain, as a broadcaster they rely on their license to broadcast and under the terms of that license, they’re supposed to take steps to ensure that people don’t watch the content in countries that they are not licensed to broadcast in but can because the satellite footprint spills over. Sky’s solution to the problem is to supply viewing cards to UK addresses only. If is wasn’t for OfCom, they would probably be quite happy at people watching abroad, but they’re duty bound to control it. I don’t mind breaking the law, a certain somebody in my cellar will testify to that, I’m just wondering whether it’s worth the minor hassle of setting up a Netflix account to watch content that might get taken away at any moment.
Been using a VPN with Netflix for ages. I don’t think they would take it away, in fact its encouraged! On the iPad app, when you log in through VPN, it comes up with a box saying ‘Travelling abroad? You will find content varies by location’ or something to that effect.
Sam… Does it let us use turntable.fm?
If so, high 5.
I’ve been using https://tunlr.net/ for turntable.fm you could give that a try, also if you own an iphone you can download the app from the american app store and use it without a vpn or anything
Thanks man!
And for everything else, there’s bit torrent
Very nice, thanks for sharing this
could never be bothered to do the VPN stuff, but this just works, perfect for Netflix 
Is there like some sort of US BBC iPlayer? 4OD? what’s the best free US TV Show site?
Project Free Tv
Is doing this actually legal? If it’s not, then you might as well just use torrents. You’re not really getting the content any more “legitimately” if the terms of the licence specify you do not have permission to view it in the UK.
It is illegal, as the contract they have doesn’t cover UK distribution. Holding a copy of a recorded TV show on tape, disc or hard drive for 28 days is equally infringing copyright. So if you are doing these things, or promoting any illegal methodology to bypass copyright laws, then you may as well big up the mainstream P2P method that is commonly frowned upon today.
Except this has the bonus of being streamed well.
Is it about streaming well, or being well streamed?
Nothing streams well on my rural connection. I hate it. I watch legally streamed TV, it is slow and painful but I’ll cope till the provider disconnects me telling me my connection isn’t good enough – can’t I make that decision, they shouldn’t be making it for me. So I’ll download it illegally. Point is any streaming film service it pointless for me and my connection.
thank you, i was just about to can my netflix subscription , i may reconsider now, the US library is a bit more comprehensive, nice to have hulu again too (used to use hotspot shield but back then it was slow at best, then they blocked it) shame denpa shounen isnt still on there mind
Brilliant! No more region crap for me!
Aside from Hulu, what else could a non-Netflix subscriber be watching with this ? Hulu’s selection is a little weird in places (but the extension does indeed work with absolutely trivial effort).
do you think this would work for someone in germany who wants to watch iPlayer?
thanks
Awesome, I was never sure about these kind of things, but this awsome and so easy.
if you’re outside US and want to watch US content you just need a US ip address. I was wondering for flippin ages how to get hold of USA Netflix content in the UK. I use http://www.vpn24.co.uk