Coronation Street is the world longest running TV soap opera that was first viewed back in 1960. Over all these years it has amassed an enormous following in numerous countries, and none more so than New Zealand.
Up until the advent of online streaming, it was difficult to watch the show at anything that resembled being up-to-date.
Coronation Street on Demand
One of the only ways it was possible to watch Coronation Street was via TVNZ who had a deal with ITV in the UK.
Unfortunately, until recently, they were running 18-months behind. This left no chance of any spoilers being kept secret for this amount of time.
Now TVNZ has struck a new deal, and TVNZ1 is matching the UK’s broadcasts with primetime episodes. Although the show is currently running up-to-date in a manner of speaking.
It is running a week behind the UK, and not only this, the 18-months shows are missing in their full form. To make up the shortfall, there are catch up episodes being shown, but there isn’t anywhere near the length of the show available.
For Coronation fans, they will be happy to be up to date, but there is still the chance of finding out what is happening before the show is aired in NZ.
One way to get around this, and watch the show on the day there are episodes airing is by using the iTV Hub.
Accessing the iTV Hub
To watch iTV outside of the UK is straightforward when accessing the iTV hub, but like many streaming services, this is geo-blocked for UK residents.
This set back can be quickly circumnavigated by using a VPN service. Choosing the best VPN NZ users can sign up for, is harder than signing up for a VPN.
Without too many details, a VPN will mask your connection and IP address and make it look as if you are in the UK. This step is vital for using the iTV studios online streaming service while in NZ.
Here is a quick look at three of the more popular VPN services around, and you can quickly see, they are not all equal.
| IPVanish | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Based in 5-eyes | Yes – US-based | Panama based but linked to a US company | NO – based offshore BVI |
| Zero logging | Questionable | Yes | Yes |
| Fast speeds to NZ | No | Above average | Yes |
| Allows Torrenting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access Netflix/ Hulu | No | Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money back Guarantee | No | Yes | Yes |
| Live customer support | No | Yes, but slow | Yes |
| Ease of use | Acceptable | Yes | Yes |
| Supported countries | 60 | 60 | 94+ |
| Access iTV Hub | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Signing up for a VPN
So as not to bombard you with information of which is the best VPN in the table, and which one isn’t, that is clearly visible. Taking the best VPN for NZ, we will use ExpressVPN in the examples because it makes things very easy.
- Head to the ExpressVPN website
- Select one of their plans (all plans deliver precisely the same first class service)
- Enter your email address
- Select the method of payment
Within minutes, you will receive a confirmation email with a download link for the client software of your device. Click on this and install the software and add the activation code form your email.
Once you have done this, your connection will be protected, and even your ISP won’t be able to see what you are watching.
Now, you need to sign up for the iTV Hub so you can access the player. These steps are straightforward to follow:
In the client software of ExpressVPN, select the dropdown list and change your VPN server to one based in the UK. Give it a few seconds to change your connection to one in the UK.
For the purpose of the iTV Hub, you will be a UK resident. All you need to do now is fill in the sign-up page:
- Add Title
- Enter First Name and surname
- Fill in your Date of Birth
- Add in a UK Post-Code (A postcode for iTV can easily be found on the internet. Choose a hotel or business unless you have friends or family living there. When you have added the postcode, another box is displayed for you to choose your address. Select the drop-down and select an address that is shown.
- Add your email address and confirm by typing it a second time
- Enter a Password
- You have the option to receive emails about ITV Hub shows, select if you wish.
- Click the agree to the terms and conditions button
- Click on submit
iTV will send you a confirmation email to verify the email address you gave.
Once you have confirmed your email address, you are ready to watch Coro on demand.
Playing Coronation Street Catch Up
Once you have followed these set-up instructions, you can access all of the programs and channels that come with the iTV Hub.
With the number one VPN supporting you, you can access any other streaming service there is.
You can go in, and watch TV on demand Coronation Street, and you can see there are around twenty or so episodes to watch.
Catching up with these Corrie episodes can bring you up to speed, and you can then watch Corrie just like you were sat in the Rovers Return with no worries of your connection being throttled by your ISP, or the iTV Hub disconnecting you.
Before you know it, you will find out what is going on with Tyrone and Fiz, and if you are after a hint, there are no spoilers for Corrie here.