Streaming licenses control what you can watch by location. Some of the world’s most acclaimed shows are completely blocked from US audiences due to regional licensing agreements. These aren’t obscure international gems either. They’re Emmy-winning, widely acclaimed, and sitting right there on streaming services—just not in America. The frustration is real, but the reasons are surprisingly complicated.
🔥 Quick Facts:
- Line of Duty (UK’s biggest crime drama) remains unavailable on US platforms due to licensing.
- The Inbetweeners is available in the UK but never got US distribution rights.
- Orphan Black premiered on Canadian networks first, complicating US broadcast rights.
- Some shows like McMafia have BBC iPlayer exclusivity in the UK, blocking global distribution.
- By 2025, licensing disputes continue preventing dozens of shows from reaching US viewers.
What’s Locked Away From American Viewers
Line of Duty stands as the prime example of a region-locked blockbuster. This BBC One crime thriller became the UK’s highest-rated drama in recent years.
The show gripped British audiences across six seasons (2014-2021). But it’s never officially aired on US television or streaming services. Complex licensing agreements meant BBC Studios couldn’t secure American broadcast rights during peak popularity. Now that momentum has passed, the deal simply isn’t worth negotiating.
The Inbetweeners faces the opposite problem. This crude comedy hit massive success in the UK and Australia. American networks decided the content and humor didn’t translate.
“UK shows don’t always appeal to American networks because our viewing culture differs significantly. Networks prefer proven American formats.”
Orphan Black, despite its Emmy nominations, faced distribution chaos. Space (the Canadian network) got first broadcast rights. BBC America aired it afterward, but complex licensing about subsequent streaming prevented broader access. This fragmentation left the show perpetually stuck.
Why This Happened (And Why It’ll Keep Coming)
The answer isn’t about quality or demand—it’s about money and timing. Rights holders sell content on a territory-by-territory basis. A UK production company might retain US rights to sell directly to American networks.
But here’s where it breaks down: BBC One shows are produced by independent companies. The BBC gains UK broadcast rights only, not worldwide rights. Once the initial broadcast window closes, securing American rights later becomes expensive and complicated.
Streaming made this worse. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu each have specific territorial licensing deals. A show licensed to UK Netflix holds an entirely different contract than US Netflix. Negotiating overlapping rights costs millions. Studios sometimes decide it’s just not worth it.
Geographic restrictions also protect local broadcasters. American networks pay premium prices for exclusive content rights. Allowing the same show on US streaming services immediately would undermine that investment.
Which Shows Are Currently Blocked
Here are some major titles inaccessible to American audiences right now:
| Show Title | Original Network | Why Blocked |
| Line of Duty | BBC One | Licensing exclusivity expired |
| The Inbetweeners | E4 | Network refused distribution |
| Orphan Black | Space/BBC America | Fragmented international rights |
| McMafia | BBC One | BBC iPlayer exclusivity |
| Happy Valley | BBC One | Regional broadcast rights restrictions |
Each show represents millions in lost US audience engagement. Yet studios can’t simply reopen negotiations. International rights deals require careful coordination between production companies, broadcasters, and streaming platforms.
Fighting The Geo-Restrictions
Americans desperate to watch these shows have turned to workarounds. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) allow viewers to appear located in the UK. This creates access to BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and UK Netflix libraries.
But using a VPN violates most streaming services’ terms of service. Platforms actively work to block VPN connections. Netflix, for example, frequently updates its blocking technology.
BritBox emerged as the legal alternative. This subscription service specifically offers British content to US audiences. However, it’s a limited selection compared to UK Netflix or BBC iPlayer. The service costs around $6.99/month but carries far fewer shows.
DVD purchases represent another option. Used copies of Line of Duty and The Inbetweeners sell online. Some fans buy overseas Blu-rays, though this requires compatible players.
Will These Shows Ever Reach America?
Probably not on traditional platforms. Once licensing windows close, shows become financially locked away. Renegotiating international rights takes years and enormous costs.
Production companies would rather invest in new content than fight old licensing battles. Meanwhile, audience interest decays once shows disappear from public conversation.
The irony cuts deep: These are exceptional programs that American audiences would genuinely enjoy. Yet licensing complexity keeps them hidden. Until the streaming industry radically simplifies rights agreements, expect this frustration to continue. For now, these acclaimed shows remain tantalizing exports that Americans simply can’t legally watch yet.
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.