Moving to Mallorca does not mean giving up your favourite shows or losing track of the Premier League. The island has good internet infrastructure - in most towns and urbanizaciones you can get fast fibre - and the streaming landscape has expanded enormously in the last few years. But there are real differences between what you had at home and what works here, so it pays to understand the options before you arrive.
This guide covers the full picture: which services work straight out of the box, what requires a workaround, how to watch live sports, and how to set up your TV room sensibly.
The Lay of the Land
A few things to understand upfront:
Geo-blocking is real. Most streaming services and catch-up TV platforms restrict access by country. BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Hulu, Peacock, CBC Gem and similar services are not available in Spain without a VPN. Even services that do operate in Spain - like Netflix - show a different catalogue here than they do in the UK or the US.
Satellite is the exception. Satellite broadcasts are not geo-blocked. A dish pointed at the right satellite receives UK free-to-air channels anywhere in Europe, including Mallorca. No VPN, no subscription, no workaround needed.
Internet quality matters. Streaming 4K content needs a stable connection of at least 25 Mbit/s. Most urban addresses on Mallorca easily get 100 Mbit/s or more on fibre. Rural areas and fincas can be more of a challenge. Read the internet and mobile guide if you are still sorting out your connection.
VPNs fill the gap. For services that are blocked in Spain, a VPN with a server in your home country is the standard workaround. This is covered in detail in the companion article on streaming geo-blocking and VPNs. The short version: VPN use is legal in Spain, bypassing geo-blocks may breach a service's terms of use, and the risk of account closure is very low in practice.
International Streaming Services
These services all operate officially in Spain. You can subscribe with a Spanish credit card or PayPal account and they work without any workaround.
Netflix
Netflix is available in Spain and the catalogue is large. You get all of Netflix's own productions (which are available worldwide regardless of country), plus a selection of licensed content specific to Spain. The Spanish catalogue overlaps heavily with the UK and US catalogues for big titles, but some films and series you know from home will be missing.
You can set your interface language, audio language and subtitles to English regardless of where you are or what country your account is registered in. Netflix will not force you to watch things in Spanish.
Practical note: If you had a Netflix account in your home country and move to Spain, Netflix will gradually detect your new location and shift your catalogue to the Spanish version. This is automatic and there is nothing you can do about it within the terms of service. For the workaround, see the geo-blocking article.
Price in Spain (2026): Standard with ads from around 5.99 EUR/month, Standard from 12.99 EUR/month, Premium 4K from 17.99 EUR/month. Prices are similar to or slightly lower than the UK.
Disney+
Disney+ works without issue in Spain. The core Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic content is identical worldwide - these are Disney's own productions and they are available in every market where the service operates.
The differences show up in the Star section (content from 20th Century Studios, FX, ABC, and other third-party rights holders). Some titles available in the UK or US will be missing from the Spanish catalogue because Disney does not hold the Spanish licence. In practice, most major Star content is there.
Price: From around 4.99 EUR/month (standard, no downloads), 8.99 EUR/month for the full plan with 4K and downloads.
Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video operates in Spain and the catalogue is comparable to the UK and US versions for Amazon Originals (The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fallout, etc.). Third-party licensed content varies by country, as with all services.
Prime Video also offers add-on channels (Prime Video Channels in Spain), where you can bolt on extra subscriptions such as MGM+, Starzplay and others - a convenient way to consolidate subscriptions in one place.
If you have an existing Amazon Prime account from the UK, you can continue using it in Spain, but the catalogue will shift to the Spanish version over time. You can also add Prime Video Channels that are available in Spain, even if they differ from the UK lineup.
Price: Prime membership in Spain includes Prime Video and costs around 4.99 EUR/month or 49.90 EUR/year.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a global service and works identically in Spain as it does anywhere else. Because Apple produces all its content itself, there are no geo-licensing complications - everything available anywhere is available everywhere. Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Severance, The Morning Show: all on Apple TV+ Spain without restriction.
Price: 8.99 EUR/month. Free for three months with new Apple device purchases.
HBO Max
HBO Max (now called Max in some markets) operates in Spain and carries the full HBO catalogue - Game of Thrones, The Wire, Succession, The White Lotus, House of the Dragon, and so on - plus Warner Bros. films and a growing slate of originals.
As with the others, licensed third-party content may vary compared to the US or UK version, but for HBO's own productions the catalogue is complete.
Price: From around 5.99 EUR/month (with ads) to 9.99 EUR/month for the full plan.
UK Catch-Up TV: BBC iPlayer and ITVX
This is the sticking point for British expats. BBC iPlayer, ITVX (formerly ITV Hub), Channel 4 and Channel 5 are all geo-blocked outside the UK. You cannot access them from a Spanish IP address without a VPN.
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer carries live BBC channels (BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News, CBBC, CBeebies) and on-demand content going back 30 days. It is free to use in the UK with a valid TV licence.
From Mallorca, you need a VPN with a UK server. Connect, clear your browser cookies or open a private window, and iPlayer should work. The BBC has VPN detection in place and it does occasionally block known VPN IP addresses, so a reliable paid VPN is necessary - free VPNs are blocked almost universally.
The BBC also increasingly checks whether your billing address and payment method correspond to a UK address. If your account is old and was created in the UK, you are likely fine. New registrations from outside the UK are harder.
ITVX
ITVX (ITV, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4) is a free ad-supported service in the UK. Geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN with a UK server is the standard workaround. ITVX does not require a subscription or payment, just an email address for registration - but registration requires a UK postcode, so an old UK account works better than trying to register fresh from Spain.
Channel 4 and Channel 5
Same situation as ITVX: geo-blocked, free with UK registration, accessible via VPN. Channel 4 carries a large back catalogue of British shows. Channel 5 is more limited but carries some popular drama.
Tip: Satellite solves the geo-blocking problem permanently
If you watch a lot of UK TV, a satellite dish pointed at Astra 28.2E receives BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and over 400 other UK channels for free - no VPN, no subscription, no geo-blocking. The signal reaches Mallorca clearly and you just need a dish and a compatible receiver. See the satellite section below.
US Streaming: Hulu, Peacock and ESPN+
These services are available only in the United States. They are geo-blocked in Spain and do not accept non-US payment methods.
Hulu carries a large library of US TV shows (ABC, Fox, NBC, FX) plus Hulu Originals. Live TV add-on available. US-only. Requires a US billing address and payment method (US credit card or US PayPal).
Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming platform and carries NBC shows, Bravo, Syfy, USA Network, plus Peacock Originals and some Premier League matches. US-only, US payment required.
ESPN+ carries a wide range of US and international sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college sports, and some international football. US-only, US payment required.
How to access them from Mallorca:
- You need a VPN connected to a US server.
- You need a US payment method. Options include a US credit card if you still have one, a US bank account, or US-based payment services (some US prepaid Visa cards work). This is the harder part.
- You register or log in with the VPN active.
If you already had subscriptions before moving and still have a valid US payment method, keeping them active and accessing them via VPN is the most straightforward route.
US services require a US payment method
A VPN alone is not enough for Hulu, Peacock and ESPN+. These services require a US-issued payment method at sign-up. If you no longer have a US bank account or credit card, signing up from Spain is difficult. Existing accounts with stored payment details are much easier to maintain.
Canadian and Australian Options
CBC Gem (Canada): CBC's free and premium streaming service. Carries CBC drama, news, documentaries and some sports. Geo-blocked outside Canada. A VPN with a Canadian server plus a Canadian payment method (for the premium tier) gives access.
SBS On Demand (Australia): Free Australian streaming with SBS content, international drama and documentaries. Geo-blocked outside Australia. Accessible via VPN with an Australian server. Registration requires an Australian postcode.
9Now (Australia): Free streaming from Nine Network (Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Life, Stan). Geo-blocked. VPN with Australian server required.
Stan (Australia): Australian streaming subscription with Australian and international content. Requires an Australian payment method.
For Australians and Canadians who want to maintain access: keep your home-country subscription and payment method active, and use a VPN. This is easier to do than setting up fresh from Spain.
Sports Streaming on Mallorca
Sports is often the main motivation for expats to get clever about streaming. Here is what is available for the major sports and leagues.
Premier League
DAZN Spain holds the Spanish broadcasting rights for the Premier League and shows most matches live. This is a legitimate Spanish subscription with no VPN or workaround needed. Price: around 14.99 EUR/month or 149 EUR/year (2026 pricing).
Movistar Plus+ shows some Premier League matches as part of its sports packages.
UK-based options via VPN: Sky Sports, TNT Sports (BT Sport) and ITVX (for selected free matches) carry the Premier League with more complete coverage. Note that UK blackout restrictions apply even through a VPN - no live matches are shown on UK platforms on Saturday between 2.45pm and 5.15pm UK time.
NFL, NBA and NBA
NFL Game Pass International is available in Spain and gives access to all games live and on demand. NFL Network is included. Price: from around 99 EUR/year for the basic package. The NFL also streams some games free on YouTube in certain markets.
NBA League Pass is available internationally including Spain. It gives you access to all live games, on-demand replays, and the NBA app. Price: from around 14.99 EUR/month during the season.
MLB.TV is available internationally (excluding the US and Canada) and gives access to all out-of-market games. Works without a VPN in Spain.
NHL.TV / ESPN+ - the NHL's international streaming rights vary. ESPN+ has the US rights but is US-only. Check the NHL website for current international streaming availability.
Formula 1
F1 TV Pro is available in Spain and gives live coverage of every race, qualifying session and practice session, with multiple onboard cameras, no commentary if you prefer, and on-demand replays. This is genuinely the best way to follow F1. Price: around 64.99 EUR/year.
DAZN also carries F1 in Spain.
Tennis, Golf and Other Sports
Tennis Channel International is available in Spain and covers ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events. DAZN carries some tennis as well.
Golf: The DP World Tour (European Tour) and some PGA Tour events are on DAZN in Spain. Sky Sports Golf via VPN gives the broadest golf coverage for UK viewers.
La Liga and Spanish football: You are living in Spain, so this is readily available. DAZN and Movistar+ share La Liga rights. If you have not watched much Spanish football before, this is a good time to start.
Tip: DAZN is genuinely worth it
For sports fans on Mallorca, DAZN is probably the single most useful subscription you can get locally. It covers the Premier League, La Liga, Formula 1, MotoGP, NFL Game Pass, tennis and boxing all under one roof. At around 15 EUR/month it is competitive with any home-country sports package.
Local Spanish TV and Streaming
Spanish TV is better than its reputation, and engaging with local content is good for your Spanish (and eventually your Catalan/Mallorquí).
RTVE Play
RTVE is Spain's public broadcaster (La 1, La 2, 24h news, Clan for children, RNE radio). RTVE Play is the free streaming service and works without geo-blocking - you can access it from anywhere. Content includes Spanish news, drama, documentaries and some sport. High quality production for public broadcaster content.
Free, no subscription needed.
Atresplayer
Atresmedia (Antena 3, La Sexta) offers Atresplayer with free and premium tiers. The free tier is ad-supported and carries a good library of Spanish drama and entertainment shows. The premium tier adds more content and removes ads.
Mitele
Mediaset Spain (Telecinco, Cuatro, Energy) offers Mitele as its streaming platform, again free and ad-supported. Popular reality shows and some international drama.
Movistar Plus+
Movistar Plus+ is Spain's largest pay-TV and streaming service. It is roughly equivalent to Sky in the UK or Canal+ in France. It carries:
- Spanish and international sport (La Liga, Champions League, Premier League, F1)
- HBO content (licensed partnership)
- Films and series
- National Geographic, Eurosport and other channels
Movistar Plus+ requires a Movistar broadband subscription or a standalone streaming subscription. Prices start at around 10 EUR/month on top of a Movistar broadband contract. The sports packages add another 15-30 EUR/month.
Orange TV and Other Providers
Orange (and Jazztel) offer TV packages alongside their internet contracts, often bundling Movistar Plus+ content, DAZN and Netflix in one bill. If you are considering an Orange broadband contract, their bundle deals can be cost-effective.
Satellite Dishes
For UK expats especially, a satellite dish is worth serious consideration. Here is why and what you need.
Astra 28.2E - UK Free-To-Air
The satellite at 28.2 degrees East (operated by SES/Astra) carries all UK free-to-air digital channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC News, ITV, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 5, E4, More4, Film4, Dave, Quest, Sky News and hundreds more. These channels are broadcast free-to-air and there is no geo-blocking on satellite signals.
A dish pointed at 28.2E on Mallorca receives a clear signal. The island is close to the edge of the satellite's footprint, so you need a slightly larger dish than you would in the UK - typically 80-100cm rather than the 45-60cm standard UK dish. A local satellite installer can advise on the right size for your location.
Cost of installation: Roughly 200-400 EUR for dish, cabling and a basic HD receiver, including installation by a local engineer. If you want to add a Freesat receiver or Sky Q (without a Sky subscription, for free-to-air channels), add the hardware cost.
What you do NOT get via satellite: The BBC iPlayer catch-up service does not work via satellite from Spain - that is an internet-based service with geo-blocking. You get live broadcast TV only.
BBC One and ITV broadcast from Mallorca: Yes, you can watch live BBC One, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 as they air, completely free, without any subscription, VPN or ongoing cost.
Hot Bird 13E - French and Other European Channels
The Hot Bird satellites at 13 degrees East carry a wide range of European channels including French, Italian, German, Arabic and others. If you have viewers in your household from other European countries, a motorised dish or a second dish can pick this up.
Satellite Considerations for Renters
Installing a dish requires attaching it to the building structure. In an apartment block, you need permission from the comunidad de propietarios (the owners' community for your building). Many comunidades are reluctant to approve dishes on balconies or facades. If you are renting, you also need your landlord's agreement. Discuss this before signing any lease if it matters to you.
Streaming Boxes and Devices
If you want to set up a clean, centralised streaming setup on your TV, these are the main options:
Apple TV 4K
The smoothest experience if you are in the Apple ecosystem. Runs Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, DAZN, YouTube and virtually any other streaming app with a Spanish App Store account. The Siri remote and AirPlay integration are genuinely convenient. Price: around 149 EUR.
You can also install apps from other regions (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, etc.) by creating a UK Apple ID and switching your App Store region. This is a common workaround for UK expats.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Affordable and capable. Runs all major streaming services. The 4K Max model is fast and supports Wi-Fi 6. Useful tip: if you have a Fire TV Stick from the UK, you can keep it on a UK Amazon account and install UK apps (iPlayer, ITVX) that are not available in the Spanish App Store. Price: 35-65 EUR depending on model.
Google Chromecast with Google TV (or Google TV Streamer)
Good option for Android users. Google TV aggregates content across apps in one browsing interface. Runs all major services. You can side-load apps not available in the Spanish Play Store using an APK, which is how some expats install UK apps. Price: 40-70 EUR.
Android TV Boxes
Generic Android TV boxes from brands like Nvidia Shield (high end, excellent for 4K and Plex), Xiaomi Mi Box or similar give you a full Android environment. This makes it easy to install any APK, which is useful if you want to run apps not officially available in Spain. Prices vary widely.
Smart TVs
Most modern Samsung, LG and Sony TVs have built-in smart TV platforms with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and other services pre-installed. The app selection depends on the TV's regional configuration - TVs bought in Spain have Spanish app stores. TVs bought in the UK and brought over may keep their UK app store access, which is useful for iPlayer.
Tip: Check the TV's region before you buy
If you are buying a TV on Mallorca, the built-in app store will be configured for Spain. You will have Netflix, Disney+ and the main services, but not BBC iPlayer or ITVX. If access to UK apps matters to you, consider a separate streaming stick on a UK account, or buy a TV from the UK and bring it (bearing in mind voltage is the same in Spain - 220V/50Hz - so UK appliances work fine).
Practical Setup Recommendations
Here is a sensible starting point depending on your situation:
If you are British:
- Subscribe to Netflix Spain and Disney+ Spain for the majority of your viewing.
- Get DAZN if you follow sport.
- For live UK TV: install a satellite dish (best long-term solution) or use a VPN with iPlayer and ITVX.
- Keep one UK streaming subscription active via VPN for BBC content you cannot get elsewhere.
If you are American:
- Subscribe to Netflix Spain, Disney+ Spain and HBO Max Spain.
- DAZN covers NFL Game Pass and is your best local sports option.
- Maintaining Hulu, Peacock or ESPN+ requires a VPN and a valid US payment method - doable if you kept your US financial accounts active.
If you are Canadian or Australian:
- The main international services (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+) all work in Spain.
- CBC Gem, SBS and 9Now require a VPN and work best if you kept your home-country account and registration from before you moved.
For everyone:
- A good VPN subscription is useful to have, not just for streaming but for privacy on public Wi-Fi and accessing home-country banking websites that sometimes block Spanish IP addresses.
- Make sure your internet connection is fast enough. Most urban Mallorca addresses easily meet the requirements; rural areas may need a 4G router or Starlink.
- If you live in a house (not an apartment) and watch a lot of home-country TV, a satellite dish is a worthwhile one-time investment that pays for itself quickly.