When it comes to reality shows in the UK, Hayu is one of the first platforms that come to mind. This platform has it all: criminals, divas, extravagant lifestyles, and scandals!
Within the UK’s borders, it is fairly easy to stream celebrities’ illustrious lifestyles. However, when you try to log in to Hayu when you are abroad, you’ll notice that the “Register” button isn’t available. It is because the platform is only available in the United Kingdom and a few other countries due to geographical restrictions.
In this article, I’ll go through how we can watch Hayu from abroad in extensive detail. By using a suitable VPN service, we can switch our virtual location to the UK and continue streaming Hayu as if we were in the UK.
To gain immediate access to Hayu and begin streaming your favorite shows, simply follow the steps outlined below. Take a look at the entire article, if you want to understand why we need a VPN service to watch Hayu.
Let’s start!
Analysis: Due to copyright and licensing laws, Hayu, like any other platform, can only air its content in the United Kingdom. The imposed restrictions allow access to UK IP addresses while prohibiting access to IP addresses outside the UK.
Solution: We will use a VPN service with a UK server to change our IP address to a UK IP address. This way, we’ll be able to watch Hayu as if we were in England.
A quick guide to watching Hayu outside the United Kingdom with a VPN:
- Check out the official website of SurfShark, which has servers in three UK cities.
- Click the “Get SurfShark” button and select the plan that best meets your needs.
- Fill in your email address and choose your preferred payment method to complete your order. (Make sure your credit card is open for online and overseas transactions.)
- Install the SurfShark app that is compatible with your device.
- Log in to the SurfShark app using the username and password that was sent to your e-mail.
- Go to the “Locations” tab and, after typing “United Kingdom” into the search bar, connect to one of the servers (London, Manchester, or Glasgow).
You will have a UK IP address once the connection is established. As a result, you will be able to watch Hayu without needing to worry about geographical restrictions.
Here’s the evidence!
We were able to get around the geographical restrictions, but if you’re curious about how we did it or how you can watch Hayu abroad with a VPN, keep reading. I’ll go into detail on the problem of geographical restrictions and how VPNs can be used to get around them.
Understanding Hayu geo-restrictions
Due to licensing agreements and copyrights, Hayu’s entire content is only available in the United Kingdom. As a result, the platform only allows access to UK IP addresses, while blocking access to IP addresses from other countries.
The above image from Hayu’s terms of service summarizes the situation.
Hayu currently offers services in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Germany, and Singapore.
How to watch Hayu outside the UK with a VPN
Now that we’ve identified the issue, we can begin working on a solution.
Although Hayu only provides services in the countries listed above, it is possible to stream content from other countries in a few simple steps.
Our first requirement will be a VPN service. By using a VPN service that has servers in the UK, we will replace our IP address with a UK IP. This way, we’ll have moved our virtual location to the UK, and we’ll be able to watch Hayu as if we are in the UK, without getting stuck with geographical restrictions.
Let’s go through all the steps one by one.
Choosing the right VPN
We’ll need to use a VPN service to get a UK IP address.
It is important to note that not every VPN service can circumvent the restrictions imposed by the platforms. With that in mind, I’ll be using SurfShark VPN, which I tested and found to be capable of circumventing geo-restrictions.
With servers in London, Glasgow, and Manchester, the company is providing UK-wide coverage. The download speed of 177.29 Mbps that I obtained during testing means that we can watch Hayu in 4K without buffering.
Now, in a few steps, we’ll get our SurfShark account.
- Visit the Official website of SurfShark and choose a plan (We don’t need to add any additional features)
- Fill out the order form with your personal information.
- Make a purchase using your preferred payment method.
VPN app installation
Your login information will be sent to your e-mail address once the payment process is complete. You can now access your account by entering your username (your email address) and the password you received via email.
The next step is to download the SurfShark application for your device.
- Go to the official website of SurfShark and log in to your account using your email/password.
- Find and click “Apps & extensions” from the menu.
- Choose and install the appropriate VPN application for your device.
- Install by following the instructions.
- Open the installed app and log in using the same credentials.
Connecting to UK server
We have arrived at the final and possibly most important stage. To ensure a high-quality connection, we must select the appropriate server.
- Click the “Locations” menu in the app interface.
- Enter “United Kingdom” into the search bar. You will see available servers in the UK.
- Connect by selecting the closest server from “London, Glasgow, or Manchester.”
Once the connection is established, we will now have a UK IP address. As a result, regardless of where we are in the world, we will be able to watch Hayu as if we were in England.
Note: If the UK servers are unavailable for any reason, we can connect to a server in another country served by Hayu. For optimal performance, you can connect to a server that is closest to you.
Creating a Hayu account
Now that we have a UK IP address, it’s time to sign up for Hayu. If you already have an account, all you have to do is log in. For those who want to open a new account, there are a few simple steps to follow.
To proceed to the next page, click the TRY FOR FREE button.
After reviewing the page that pops up, you can continue with your Facebook account, but if you prefer, you can create an account by entering your personal information.
- Enter your name/surname, e-mail address, and a strong password of your choice at this point.
- Choose the plan that works best for you (monthly/6 monthly/yearly).
- Enter your credit card information to access the free trial version (Your card will not be charged until your trial ends)
You now have a Hayu account after the process is completed. You can access Hayu using your e-mail address and the password you created, and enjoy the content!
Hayu VPNs (Alternatives)
If the VPN service you are using is blocked, I would like to provide you with alternative VPN options. You can easily watch Hayu from anywhere in the world by using one of these VPN services. They’ve been tried and tested, and by using one of them, you can watch Hayu in high quality without buffering issues.
NordVPN
NordVPN, like SurfShark, has server coverage throughout the United Kingdom. The company, which prioritizes user privacy, does not have dedicated servers for Hayu. Even so, since the platform does not block VPN connections, it works flawlessly. It also is simple to use, and the app will direct you to the best server for you to smoothly watch content.
The monthly service prices of the company, which has a positive profile in terms of privacy and speed, begin at $ 3.99, which is more expensive than the other options on our list.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the world’s leading VPN companies in terms of server coverage, and it offers services in the United Kingdom through servers in Berkshire, London, and Manchester. It is very simple to stream thanks to CyberGhost’s dedicated servers, which are fully compatible with Hayu and readily available. All we have to do is connect to the nearest server and enjoy the content!
In terms of speed values, CyberGhost does not lag behind its competitors. Furthermore, the company is based in Romania, which is known for its emphasis on user privacy.
If you want to use CyberGhost, the lowest plan starts at $2.25 per month.
ExpressVPN
In terms of server count and coverage, ExpressVPN falls behind the other options on our list. It’s also worth noting that the company does not offer dedicated streaming servers. In comparison to its competitors, ExpressVPN offers the best speed value. Furthermore, thanks to its user-friendly and minimal application, it is very simple to connect to UK servers and watch Hayu from abroad.
The disadvantage of ExpressVPN, which has the highest speed rating, is that it is significantly more expensive than its competitors, with the lowest plan starting at $6.67 per month.
Hayu streaming summary
Platforms that serve within the borders of Europe have a strict policy of not allowing their content to be accessed outside of Europe. Every day, it becomes more difficult to access content due to the strict measures taken by content providers. In this regard, Hayu is no exception.
Hayu only serves users with a UK IP address due to geo-restrictions (and the countries we mentioned earlier). In other words, under normal circumstances, it is not possible to watch Hayu from abroad.
We noted that using a VPN service can help us circumvent this issue.
I’ve recommended some VPN services for watching Hayu from outside the country. SurfShark was my personal preference. However, I want you to know that platforms are competing with VPN companies and developing new measures on a daily basis. If SurfShark is blocked, NordVPN, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are possible alternatives.
I’ve been a translator for many years. During this time, geo-restriction has always been the most problematic issue in the many countries I’ve visited. I’m here to tell you about my experience.