A Conversation for Ask h2g2
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Einmoto - CoachAntony Started conversation Oct 18, 2007
Can someone tell me why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
The cases in question are
a) http://www.bbc.co.uk/spooks/ where I get to an extra page which states that this is only available to uk residents
b)http://player26.narrowstep.tv/assets/players/1753/scifibuts.htm#blakes
Blake 7 audio which states that "this programme is not available in your country.
Doesn't being in the European Community mean countries without borders - apparently not. About 2 months ago I did start to listen to Blake 7 Audio, really great and brought back old memories of the original series.
Any idea what I can do? (Apart from returning back to the UK 
)
Thanks
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
2legs - Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side... Posted Oct 18, 2007
Firefox and a proxy server I guess, though its probably illegal. 
I guess its that the BBC is funded in its unique way with the TV licience... etc...
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Einmoto - CoachAntony Posted Oct 18, 2007
I am using Firefox ... perhaps I need an English version or something.
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Whisky Posted Oct 19, 2007
Just installing an English version of Firefox won't work..
What happens is, the BBC have the right to broadcast certain programmes _within_ the UK. Other broadcasters have the right to broadcast them elsewhere. So, if the Beeb make something available via the internet, they've got to restrict it to UK users only, or they'd end up getting sued by every other broadcaster around the world who had paid something to broadcast the same programme in _their_ country.
The way they do this is when you access a website, that website can see your computers unique IP address, usually assigned by your Internet Service Provider... And those IP addresses tell the Beeb where in the world you are.
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Whisky Posted Oct 19, 2007
Oh and the idea of a proxy server is that instead of connecting straight to the BBC, you connect to another computer first, which _has_ got an address the BBC will accept, and ask that computer to get the information you want and pass it on to you.
In my 'limited' experience of attempting that, it's not a very good option (lots of the 'free' proxy servers seem to be extremely dodgy and not the sort of site I'd like my computer connected to for a long time (even with a firewall and anti-virus installed).
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office Posted Oct 19, 2007
Interestingly, http://megaproxy.com cannot open BBC pages.
TRiG.
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Einmoto - CoachAntony Posted Oct 19, 2007
Thanks for getting back to me ... it is a real shame. I did try JAP but that didn't work either ... still,
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
You can call me TC Posted Oct 20, 2007
I'm not clever enough - or interested enough in this case - to bother about working out how to get round this problem, but I have noticed that it is improving.
Whereas you used not to be able to get lots of radio programmes (I listen mainly to Radio 4) via the web, it seems that now the whole Radio 4 programme is freely accessible to us outside the UK. This probably applies to the whole of BBC radio. Nor is there any restriction on downloading podcasts etc, which I do on an almost daily basis now.
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
Einmoto - CoachAntony Posted Oct 20, 2007
Hi Trillian.
I'm a great fan of Spooks and wanted to take part in the interactive bit on the website. I just think it is a shame that I can't. 
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
You can call me TC Posted Oct 21, 2007
Yes - that's not really fair. It doesn't seem that it would be a part of anything that the licence fee payers ought to have exclusive rights to.
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office Posted Oct 21, 2007
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office Posted Oct 21, 2007
We'll be getting more of this sort of thing. F1749279?thread=4691616.
TRiG.
Key: Complain about this post
why I can't use some u.k. websites because I am in other European countries.
- 1: Einmoto - CoachAntony (Oct 18, 2007)
- 2: 2legs - Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side... (Oct 18, 2007)
- 3: Einmoto - CoachAntony (Oct 18, 2007)
- 4: Whisky (Oct 19, 2007)
- 5: Whisky (Oct 19, 2007)
- 6: TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office (Oct 19, 2007)
- 7: Einmoto - CoachAntony (Oct 19, 2007)
- 8: You can call me TC (Oct 20, 2007)
- 9: Einmoto - CoachAntony (Oct 20, 2007)
- 10: You can call me TC (Oct 21, 2007)
- 11: TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office (Oct 21, 2007)
- 12: TRiG (Ireland) A dog, so bade in office (Oct 21, 2007)
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