People spend time abroad for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s relocating for work, taking a long holiday, or visiting family. Children often want to watch their favourite series after a busy day just as much as adults do.
However, one of the first things you may notice when you leave the UK is that some of the programmes are no longer available on streaming services. This article will explain why and how you may still watch them overseas.
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Why Streaming Catalogues Vary Across Countries
Not every platform owns all of the shows that it offers worldwide. They usually buy licences for some of the titles only in particular countries or regions. Consequently, a children’s series that’s available in Britain may belong to a different broadcaster in other countries.
As a result, streaming libraries vary depending on where exactly people are watching these programmes from.
The same applies to films, documentaries, sports events, and any other type of content.
Why Children Notice It Quicker Than Adults Do
While adults may prefer watching a more varied selection of titles, younger children often get attached to particular shows. They enjoy familiar theme tunes, characters, and stories.
When moving to another country or going on holiday, familiar programmes can help children feel more comfortable. Watching a few episodes can become part of their daily routine.
The issue isn’t even the lack of entertainment but the loss of something familiar and comforting.
Researching Options in Advance
It can be a good idea to check what your streaming apps offer in your destination before you leave. Some of the programmes may still be available through the local version of the same streaming service, while other titles can be found on competitors’ platforms.
If that’s not the case, some travellers go deeper and look into virtual private networks (VPNs) as an option for accessing online services while abroad without blowing the budget. If you’re considering NordVPN or Surfshark, it’s worth understanding how the two services differ. It’s also important to follow the streaming platform’s own terms and conditions.
Doing a little research early can help avoid disappointed small ones later on.
Downloading Series Before You Leave
Many streaming services allow users to download selected episodes for offline viewing. For example, ITVX is UK-only for streaming, but you can download shows to a phone or tablet while in the UK. Downloading some of your family’s favourites before travel can be one of the easiest ways to solve the problem.
It can be particularly convenient for watching programs during a flight, a long train ride, and so on. It’s also useful if your internet connection is unreliable.
Also, keep in mind that downloaded series aren’t always available forever. Sometimes, you need to watch them within a particular time frame, while in other cases, you’ll need to be online periodically to keep your downloads available.
Other Ways to Watch Programmes
If certain TV shows aren’t available to watch in your destination, it may still be a good idea to look for other options. Some broadcasting companies make selected episodes available on their official website or app.
This can be an opportunity for parents to introduce something new while keeping a couple of familiar programmes available too.
Some Research Can Save a Lot of Trouble
Travelling or moving to another country doesn’t mean that your children have to give up their favourite UK programmes. Since streaming catalogues vary from country to country because of licensing agreements, it’s worth checking your options before leaving.
Knowing what will and won’t be available gives you time to explore other options, helping your children keep enjoying familiar programmes while they’re away from home.