How can I watch national and regional programmes?

You can watch national and regional programmes on BBC iPlayer no matter where you are in the UK. Here's how:

Watching on demand 

To watch national and regional programmes on demand, just search for the programme in the BBC iPlayer search bar. Most programmes are available shortly after broadcast. You can also easily find a selection of programmes in the Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales categories.

You can also use the TV Guide to find the programme you're looking for. The TV Guide you see will depend on the location you've set BBC iPlayer to, so you might want to change your location. Scroll down to find out how to do that on your device.


Watching live

Once you’ve set your location, you’re all set to watch live local news and programmes from your selected region by going to Channels > On Now. On the mobile/tablet app, tap Explore then choose the channel you'd like to watch from the channels rail. 


How to change your location

  • Website

On the BBC iPlayer website on your computer, mobile or tablet, the Change Location option is located at the bottom left of the BBC iPlayer page. 
 

Image of the 'change location' menu at the bottom of the BBC iPlayer homepage on the website

 

Having trouble setting your location on the website? If you haven't accepted cookies for the BBC website, we won't be able to remember your location settings.

Head to the How can I change my BBC cookie settings? page to make sure your BBC cookies are switched on and to find out more about how we use cookies across the BBC website.

  • Mobile and tablet app

On our BBC iPlayer app for mobiles and tablets, you can change your location by going to Settings (cog icon on the top right of the home page) and selecting Location.
 

Two images of the BBC iPlayer mobile/tablet app. the first is highlighting the Settings icon and the second is showing the locations menu

 

  • Connected TV

On our BBC iPlayer TV app, you can change your location by going to Settings and selecting Change Location.

Image of the iPlayer TV app with the Settings icon highlighted on the left hand side

You can choose from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or any of the English regions.

Image of the location options on the iPlayer TV app

Why does BBC iPlayer forget my location?

If you find you have to change your location each time you use BBC iPlayer, it may be because you've opted out of BBC cookies. Check the How can I change my BBC cookie settings? page on the Using the BBC website to make sure your BBC cookies are switched on and to find out more about how we use cookies across the BBC website.