All products and promotions are independently selected by our experts. To help us provide free impartial advice, we will earn an affiliate commission if you buy something. Click here to learn more
If you don't want to miss a single episode of The Great British Bake Off, there's a clever solution to make sure you never miss an episode, no matter where you are in the world. The 16th season of GBBO started last week (September 2) from 8pm on Channel 4 in the UK and will be broadcast every Tuesday at the same time.
If you're not familiar with the show, this popular television series features amateur bakers competing in weekly challenges to impress a panel of judges with their skills in bread, cakes, pastries, and more. The winner is crowned the UK's Best Amateur Baker.
At home, The Great British Bake Off is available via terrestrial television channels or streaming solutions like Freely, Sky Stream, Virgin Flex, or Sky Glass. You can also watch via the Channel 4 streaming app on your iPhone, Android handset, iPad or tablet, Smart TV, or even an immersive 360º environment in Apple Vision Pro.
But if you're abroad, things get a little more complicated.
Channel 4 launched the newwest series of The Great British Bake Off on September 2 at 8pm
|CHANNEL 4 PRESS OFFICE
Channel 4 offers the ability to download its shows and films to your device so you can watch without an active internet connection or in places where the service isn't available, like outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland due to licensing agreements. That's brilliant if you want to catch-up on a show that people have been telling you to watch for ages, but it doesn't work when a series like The Great British Bake Off is airing every week.
Whether it's your family holiday or a work event that's pulling you away from your television screen, you can turn to a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, to let you access shows and much more from nearly anywhere in the world.
It's important to note, though, that you will still need a TV licence to stream live shows.
This £174.50 annual fee covers terrestrial channels available on Freeview, Freesat, Sky, Virgin TV and others, as well as BBC iPlayer on your phone, tablet, and other devices. It's worth checking the terms and conditions of any streaming service that you're hoping to use alongside a VPN to access geo-restricted content while travelling abroad. To take advantage of this remote streaming solution, we've rounded up some of the best VPN deals on the market.
VPNs are quickly becoming an essential tool for everyone with a smartphone, laptop, desktop PC, streaming set-top box, or tablet
|PEXELS
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.
Essentially, it's an application that encrypts and anonymises everything you do online — bolstering your privacy, hiding your location, and stopping advertisers, trackers, and even governments from keeping tabs on you.
VPNs are widely used by businesses to keep proprietary data safe from prying eyes. Whistle-blowers and journalists also rely on these apps to shield sensitive information. And now, VPNs are quickly becoming an essential tool for everyone with a smartphone, laptop, desktop PC, streaming set-top box, or tablet.
What can a VPN do?
Using a VPN isn't just about boosting your privacy online. These versatile apps have a slew of different features. We've put together a list of some of the most useful VPN features below:
- Protects your data online
- Keeps you safe on public Wi-Fi networks
- Unlock access to blocked sites in your country
- Block trackers from advertisers
- Block trackers from governments
- Check prices of flights, hotels in other countries
- Access apps that are blocked in your country
- Avoid censorship in your current location
- Stream sports from anywhere in the world
- Bypass speed blocks from your broadband
- Optimise online multiplayer games
Best Surfshark VPN deal
Surfshark has slashed subscription prices by a whopping 86% and will bundle an extra 3 months for free with any two-year plan. Combined, these incredible offers mean you'll pay just £1.89 each month — that's a steal. This means you can travel for work or go on multiple holidays without having to risk losing access to your favourite shows.
If you're unsure about committing to a multi-year deal with Surfshark, you'll be pleased to know that it has earned multiple awards from national newspapers and specialist publications. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee, with the 24/7 customer service team on hand to issue a full refund if you're unhappy.
You can sign up today to unlock the best discount and then use the 30-day period as a free trial.
Surfshark: Get 3 months for FREE + 86% off
If you're looking for some of the lowest monthly bills around, look no further than the award-winning Surfshark VPN. It's cut monthly subscription prices by a jaw-dropping 85%. Not only that, but Surfshark will also bundle an extra three months at the end of a two-year plan, dropping the effective cost to just £1.89. Surfshark lets you use your subscription across unlimited devices
Surfshark VPN
$12.29
$1.89
Surfshark, established in 2018 and headquartered in the Netherlands, has rapidly emerged as a noteworthy VPN provider. It boasts over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries, ensuring extensive global coverage.
The service includes advanced features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and MultiHop for enhanced security. Surfshark has garnered several accolades, including the Best VPN award from Trusted Reviews in 2021 and recognition from CNET as the Best Value VPN in 2022.
While some users have reported variable speeds, its strong privacy policies and commitment to security make it a reliable choice for those seeking online anonymity at a cheap price.
Surfshark isn't just a VPN, either. At checkout, you can bundle 24/7 data breach alerts that flag when a site you use has been successfully attacked by hackers, antivirus software, and an adblocker.
These services are combined in an Amazon Prime-like membership, known as Surfshark One. For a limited time, Surfshark will bundle three months of free access when you sign up for its subscription, including additional features like Alternative ID data protection, antivirus, and data breach alerts.
Best NordVPN deal
If Surfshark doesn't strike the right balance between price and the number of features you might need to secure your data and improve your experience online, NordVPN might be a better option.
This award-winning VPN service starts from £2.69 per month, but bundles many of the extra features associated with Surfshark One. All NordVPN subscribers will enjoy automatic malware scans to save you from dodgy downloads and alerts about leaked credentials on the Dark Web. Of course, NordVPN also offers access to 6,400 server locations across the globe with fast connection speeds.
NordVPN: Get 72% off + FREE Amazon Gift Card
For a limited time, NordVPN is offering a generous 73% discount on its VPN subscriptions. That drops the effective monthly price of this award-winner to just £2.69. Since you'll need to commit to a two-year plan to unlock the maximum savings, Nord offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions. As a bonus, Nord will treat you to a Gift Card to spend on whatever you want on Amazon.co.uk
NordVPN
$8.89
$2.39
Notable features include double VPN encryption, Threat Protection, and Onion Over VPN, which enhance user security and anonymity. In 2022, NordVPN was recognised as one of TIME's Best Inventions, underscoring its innovative approach to cybersecurity.
While some users report occasional speed fluctuations, its strong reputation and comprehensive feature set make NordVPN a commendable choice for those seeking reliable online protection and privacy.
Like Surfshark, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can treat this no-quibbles cooling-off period like a one-month free trial — giving you enough time to carefully consider whether the VPN subscription you've chosen is right for you. Customer support is available 24/7, so you'll be able to flag any issues, ask any questions, or cancel at any time — no matter what timezone you're in.
Best CyberGhost deal
CyberGhost is another household name in the VPN market. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Romania, this European VPN has cemented its position as one of the most trusted names in the VPN.
CyberGhost: Get 2 months for free + 82% off remaining subscription
CyberGhost has cut its monthly subscription by 82%. If you sign up for a 24-month plan, you'll be gifted with 2 months of access to the award-winning VPN service for free. CyberGhost has one of the longest money-back guarantee periods, with a generous 45 days to decide whether you want to stick with your new VPN subscription
CyberGhost
$10.89
$1.92
With servers in 100+ countries optimised for streaming, CyberGhost lets you unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more—while keeping your data safe from hackers, trackers, and snoops. Like other VPNs, it encrypts your internet connection, hides your IP address, and helps you browse securely on any network.
Best ExpressVPN deal
ExpressVPN is known for its lightning-fast connections, making it a top choice if you need to work quickly and can't afford the lag other VPNs may provide. Similar to CyberGhost, it could also be another good option for streaming, gaming, and video calls without buffering or lag. Its optimised server network delivers consistently high speeds worldwide, so you can enjoy smooth, uninterrupted browsing no matter where you are.
ExpressVPN: Get 4 months for FREE + 67% off
ExpressVPN has cut its monthly subscription by 61%. If you sign up for a 12-month plan, you'll be gifted with a generous 4 months of access to the award-winning VPN service for free. ExpressVPN includes a number of advanced features, like a password manager, that cost extra with rival providers. ExpressVPN accepts a variety of payment types, including Apple Pay and Google Pay for speedy checkout
ExpressVPN
$13.99
$4.49
ExpressVPN offers several 0% APR repayment plans on its multi-year subscriptions, so you can still pay an affordable monthly fee and benefit from the offers that are reserved for the longest contracts. It's a win-win.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Are VPNs legal?
Let's set the record straight — using a VPN to safeguard your data online is not a legal offence.
If you've been issued a company laptop to work remotely, the IT department will likely require you to use a VPN before you start a shift. Needless to say, this isn't against the law.
But while VPNs were once solely used in enterprise and government spheres, these apps are becoming increasingly popular with people across the world to improve personal online security. As all of us rely on the internet for more and more of our daily lives, VPNs are an essential way to enhance privacy, block advertisers from tracking your movements, unlock streaming TV shows and sports coverage, and even find cheaper flights.
VPNs, however, are illegal in 10 countries: China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Iraq, Turkey, UAE, and Oman. If you're currently based in any of these nations or plan on visiting one soon, consider uninstalling any VPN apps from your devices.
Outside of these countries, VPNs are legal and can be used without restrictions.
But while it might be legal, it's worth noting that using a VPN might be against the Terms Of Service of some websites or mobile apps, so it's always worth checking the T&Cs to make sure you're in the clear.
More From GB News