‘The Great British Bake Off’ is back: How to watch if you’re not in the UK

Just when we needed it most The Great British Bake Off has returned with tasty (albeit vaguely horrifying) cakes and silly quips. The British show has been adored by its UK audiences for many years, but more recently it has been a breath of fresh air for international viewers too.

Thanks to Netflix, after adding a couple of old The Great British Bake Off seasons to their catalogue, U.S. viewers were clamoring for more. So, if you’re one of the people who are itching to see what’s happening on the show this season, but don’t live in the UK, here’s what you need to know.

Netflix

The Great British Bake Off airs on Tuesdays in the UK on their Channel 4. (A lot of people there are still peeved about the channel switch, in part because now there’s ads.) However, U.S. citizens don’t have to deal with commercials, because the show will be released for us on Netflix.

Don’t despair that you’ll have to wait for the season to finish before you can watch it though. This is one of the few shows Netflix releases one episode at a time. You can set your eyes on the latest bakes and Hollywood handshakes every Friday, just three days after their original air date across the pond.

Channel 4 website

If you’re desperate to watch The Great British Bake Off and you just cannot wait until Fridays, then you may be looking for an alternative. If you’ve already been searching for options then you might be wondering whether you can watch the show on Channel 4’s website.

The answer is no, but we nod our heads up and down as we type this. Channel 4’s website only allows UK citizens to watch their shows online, however, if you know what a VPN is then, well, travel is a bit of a cinch for you, isn’t it? 😉

If you’re considering this route we recommend experimenting with various different Chrome extensions, since not all of them work & sometimes they stop working. You’ll also have to make an account on the site as part of “proof” you’re a citizen – our alter ego lives in the stylish area of Wimbledon. At this point, you might as well peruse other shows Channel 4 has to offer as well. (Oh, also make sure to turn off any adblockers!)

A new host

If you haven’t been keeping up with the latest news in the Great British Bake Off world then there are a few things worth knowing before going in. For starters, Sandi Toksvig, the lovely lady who co-hosted alongside Noel Fielding has departed the tent for good.

In Toksvig’s stead is Matt Lucas, which yes, leaves Prue Leith as the only woman in the four-person judging & hosting cast.

American audiences aren’t likely to be particularly familiar with Matt Lucas, but it’s possible you’ve come across him while watching Doctor Who in the role of Nardole or Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland films as both Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

COVID-19 precautions

As this season of Bake Off goes on the contestants may seem a little more tired than they usually do. The way Bake Off usually works is that our bakers go about their daily lives during the week, and then arrive at the tent to film on Saturday & Sunday – then repeat. (So long as they weren’t eliminated.)

However, due to the pandemic, this wasn’t an option. Instead, after self-isolating for two weeks and taking three COVID-19 tests the contestants (and occasionally their immediate family), the crew, judges, and hosts all moved into Down Hall country house with the comfort of knowing none of them were ill.

After this, they took on a grueling two days on & two days off schedule for six weeks, until the season was finished.

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So, what are you most looking forward to with this year’s Bake Off? How do you feel about the new host? Let us know in the comments below!