How to Watch TF1 in the UK? Tested Geo-Unblocking Trick
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Are you traveling outside France and wondering if you can still watch TF1 in the UK? I got you.
Don’t fret. There are few things I enjoy more than watching TV from all around the world and I know exactly how to unlock TF1.
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All you need to get rid of the dreaded geo-restriction error is to make TF1 think you’re in France. Keep reading to see how.
Quick Guide: How to watch TF1 in the UK using a VPN
- Choose a reliable VPN service. I recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or CyberGhost for the best streaming experience.
- Install the VPN and connect to a server in France.
- Visit the TF1 website or launch the app, sign in, and start streaming!
Can I watch TF1 in the UK?
Yes, you can watch TF1 in the UK. Even though the service is blocked outside France, with the right VPN service, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions and watch TF1 in the UK.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the process.
How to watch TF1 in the UK
For those unfamiliar with VPNs or the intricacies of TF1, here’s a more detailed guide:
- Start by choosing a VPN known for its streaming capabilities.
For a buffer-free experience, I recommend ExpressVPN. It has a great reputation when it comes to speed and overall performance. - Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Launch the app and click/ tap on the ellipsis next to the VPN server to open the Server list.
- Browse for and connect to a server in France.
- Once connected, visit the TF1 website or app. You should now have unrestricted access to all the content.
Note: The on-demand content on TF1 is available for free, without registration. But if you want to watch TF1 live, you have to sign up for a free account if you do not have one already.
To do that, just click on Direct > Creer un compte. Enter your information. If it requests a French ZIP code, you can pick one from WorldPostalCode and use it.
Why you need a VPN to watch TF1 in the UK
You need a VPN to watch TF1 in the UK because the platform is geo-locked outside France. The VPN can bypass that by giving you a French IP which will trick TF1 into thinking you’re watching from within the country.
Without a VPN, trying to watch TF1 abroad will lead to this error:
Cette video n’est pas disponibile depuis votre zone geographique (This video is not available from your geographic area)
Now let’s see which VPNs are good for watching TF1 outside France.
Best VPNs to Watch TF1 in the UK
To help you pick the best option for watching TF1 in the UK, I’ve narrowed down only the providers that truly shine. I picked the VPNs below based on:
- Server network in France
- First-hand testing of performance on TF1
- Speed rates and stability of servers
- Ease of use and device availability.
Let’s see what else they offer.
1. ExpressVPN – lightning-fast streaming speeds
ExpressVPN boasts servers in 100+ countries, ensuring a smooth streaming experience. In France, it has server locations in Marseille, Paris, Strasbourg and Alsace.
With its exceptional speeds, watching live shows on TF1 like The Voice: la plus belle voix becomes a breeze.
⚡ In fact, I put the Strasbourg server to test when I used it for TF 1 and got a download speed of 62.39 Mbps and an upload speed of 79.49 Mbps. To start with, my baseline without a VPN was 69.97 Mbps download and 74.28 Mbps upload.
This proves that the VPN is fast enough for streaming HD and 4K and connecting to it will not affect Internet speed in any major way.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature further enhances the streaming quality, making it feel like you’re watching TF1 right in France.
✅ Pros:
- Exceptional speeds
- Vast global network
- Built-in obfuscation to bypass VPN detection
- User-friendly.
❌ Cons:
- Premium level pricing
ExpressVPN
Use ExpressVPN to get a seamless and error-free connection on TF1 from the UK!2. NordVPN – top-notch security and speed
NordVPN offers 5,000 servers across 60 countries, including 230 servers in Paris and Marseille.
⚡ I’ve personally enjoyed watching Koh-Lanta on TF1 without any lags. For TF1, I used the server France #798 and got 51.49 Mbps in download speed and 46.34 Mbps in upload speed. I started with 66.12 Mbps for download and 74.32 Mbps for upload.
There was a slight decrease, but these rates are still excellent. To put this in perspective, for 4K streaming you need a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed.
Furthermore, its Double VPN feature ensures an extra layer of security while maintaining good streaming speeds. This will further ensure that TF1 won’t detect your actual location and kick you off.
Additionally, the SmartPlay technology automatically connects you to the best server for TF1, making the process hassle-free.
✅ Pros:
- Double VPN feature
- Hundreds of servers in France
- Vast server network.
❌ Cons:
- Some servers can be slow.
NordVPN
Connect to NordVPN’s French network and never miss out on TF1 content again!3. CyberGhost – tailored for streaming
CyberGhost has 9,000 servers in 91 countries, including 680 servers in cities like Paris, Strasbourg, Marseille, and Lyon.
On top of that, it has a separate category of servers for streaming. In there, among servers optimized for services like Netflix or 6play, I was pleased to find a specialized streaming server for TF1.
⚡ When I used this server, I got 68.04 Mbps download speed and 82.73 upload speed. That’s excellent for streaming and really impressive considering I started out with a 69.89 download and 78.03 upload.
It’s also worth noting that the automatic kill switch ensures that your data remains safe even if the connection drops momentarily.
✅ Pros:
- Dedicated streaming servers
- User-friendly
- Vast server network.
❌ Cons:
- Limited advanced features.
CyberGhost
Bypass TF1 geo-blocks and enjoy unlimited streaming with CyberGhost VPN!4. Surfshark – budget-friendly with 3 French locations
Surfshark provides access to over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including servers in Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux. With it, you can watch unlimited shows on TF1 in just a few clicks.
Despite its affordable pricing, it offers features comparable to premium VPNs. Watching Les 12 coups de midi on TF1 is seamless.
⚡ That’s because it holds excellent speeds. On the Marseille server, I got 49.75 Mbps download speed and 68.23 Mbps upload speed. Without a VPN connection, my rates were 62 Mbps download and 74.23 Mbps upload.
For those of you concerned about your VPN not working on TF1 because of stringent VPN blocks, Surfshark is a great option. Features like MultiHop ensure no data is leaked.
Also, if you want to keep accessing local UK sites while watching TF1, you should know that the Whitelister feature allows specific apps or websites to bypass the VPN, offering flexibility in usage.
✅ Pros:
- Affordable
- MultiHop mode
- No connection limit.
❌ Cons:
- Newer in the market, smaller server network.
Surfshark
Unlock TF1 in the UK and binge endlessly on your favorite French TV content!5. Private Internet Access – highly secure
PIA offers 35,000 servers in 84 countries, including a French location. This ensures a worry-free TF1 streaming experience. Watching popular shows like Journal de 20 heures feels secure and smooth.
⚡ On the PIA French server, I got 48.00 Mbps download and 77.34 Mbps upload speeds, respectively. Without a VPN, I had 63.23 Mbps download and 84.02 Mbps upload.
Although these rates aren’t as fast as competitors, this speed is more than perfect for streaming TF1 seamlessly.
I should also mention that PIA’s customizable encryption settings allow users to choose their desired security level. Picking a lower encryption may result in faster speeds.
Furthermore, the split tunneling feature lets you decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t. So you can watch both local UK content and TF1 at the same time.
✅ Pros:
- Massive server network
- MACE ad-blocker
- No-logs policy.
❌ Cons:
- US-based (a country with data retention laws)
- Not the fastest.
Private Internet Access
Use PIA to watch TF1 even in the UK with no location errors, and no restrictions!6. IPVanish – suitable for multi-device streaming
IPVanish boasts over 2,200 servers, in 75+ locations. In France it has a total of 39 servers across Bordeaux, Marseille, and Paris, making it an excellent choice for watching French TV in the UK.
⚡ For TF1 I used the Bordeaux server and I got an impressive 72.01 Mbps download speed and 49.03 Mbps upload speed. It’s worth noting that without a VPN, my speed rates were 83.88 Mbps download and 60.23 upload.
A standout feature of IPVanish is the allowance of unlimited simultaneous connections. This means I could watch Sept à Huit on my laptop while my sister can watch another show on TF1 on a tablet.
To prevent detection, IPVanish’s SOCKS5 web proxy ensures you remain under the radar.
The VPN also has a zero-logs policy that guarantees that your streaming activities remain private, allowing for worry-free TF1 access.
✅ Pros:
- Unlimited device connections
- High-speed servers
- Zero-logs.
❌ Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds on some servers
- No cryptocurrency payment option.
IPVanish
Access TF1 as if you were in France with this top-of-the-line VPN!7. PrivateVPN – dedicated streaming mode
PrivateVPN offers over 200 servers in 63 countries, with several located in Paris.
Its focus on encryption doesn’t compromise its streaming capabilities. I’ve enjoyed episodes of Danse avec les stars on TF1 without any hitches.
⚡ When I connected to the Paris server, I got a speed rate of 57.34 Mbps download and 69.23 Mbps upload. For reference, my speed without VPN was 63.54 Mbps download and 76.43 Mbps upload.
The high-level encryption ensures a secure streaming experience. Furthermore, PrivateVPN’s Stealth mode ensures that TF1 doesn’t know you’re using a VPN.
The IPv6 leak protection guarantees that your real location remains hidden, ensuring uninterrupted TF1 access
✅ Pros:
- Strong encryption
- Dedicated streaming mode
- User-friendly.
❌ Cons:
- Smaller server count
- Limited advanced features
Private VPN
Enjoy boundless French entertainment on TF1 with Private VPN!Is it legal to stream TF1 abroad with a VPN?
Yes, it is legal to stream TF1 in the UK using a VPN. There aren’t any laws in the UK that prohibit using VPNs for watching foreign TV.
What can I watch on TF1?
Some of the most popular shows on TF1 include:
- The Voice: la plus belle voix – French singing competition
- Koh-Lanta – France’s version of Survivor
- Demain nous appartient – daily drama series revolving around the lives of the residents of Sète
- Les 12 coups de midi – popular game show where contestants answer questions to win prizes
- Danse avec les stars – French version of Dancing with the stars
- Journal de 20 heures – TF1’s prime-time news broadcast
- Balthazar – crime drama series about a forensic pathologist who can communicate with the dead
- Ninja Warrior: Le parcours des héros – contestants tackle challenging obstacle courses, aiming for the title of Ninja Warrior
Conclusion
You can watch TF1 in the UK with the right tools at your disposal.
A reliable VPN not only provides access to TF1 from the UK, Canada, Australia, or any other part of the world but also ensures a secure and private streaming experience. Bon visionnage!
