When you travel, especially in non English speaking countries, you might get lonely for English TV. In Europe, hotel TV in English is limited to usually UK produced like SKY TV or a business channel. American films on a hotel TV are often dubbed so only lip readers understand themes.
So how can you get some rest with TV time in a hotel room?
You can access some streaming services out of the country. Others not so. Here are the ones you can access overseas: Netflix yes but You Tube- it is unclear. Netflix is available in over 190 countries. Check the hotel room remote control or TV screen for a Netflix app. You’ll need your user name and password. Often the prior user has forgotten to log off, so you might be able to watch Netflix via their subscription. But remember, if using your subscription, log out when you leave the hotel.
Amazon Prime, I have found it limited but sometimes available. HBO is also limited. There are rumors that Disney might spread internationally.
BBC? So you are in the UK and want to watch famous BBC productions. Sorry you will still not be able to access full BBC. Your device has to be from the UK, and registered there. I have a UK address, pay a TV license fee and tried to watch BBC series on US devices. NO LUCK. There is a website called BBC iPlayer which gets good reviews. Bummer I tried on this computer. See the image below
A VPN service will get you into foreign streamers. Simply put, a Virtual Private Network hides your location by rerouting your activity through a second provider. So theoretically you should be able to access any streamer anywhere. A VPN is cheap and useful if you travel a lot. (Most people use VPN’s for secure transactions).)
Streamers overseas have different content. Content is licensed individually by country. If you binge programs overseas, binge the whole film or series. In London I watched The State Within with Jeremy Irons on Netflix. Before the climactic ending, I returned to New York. Horror! The show is not licensed in the US so never got to enjoy the end.
A final way to use a hotel TV is by ‘casting’ information wirelessly from a phone or tablet onto the big screen. As I have never done this, cannot comment. Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group. Contact us for upcoming tours.
