Marcus Webb
Technology & VPN Researcher
Marcus Webb is a network engineer turned technology journalist who has spent a decade testing VPNs, DNS services, and streaming infrastructure. He previously worked as a senior network architect for a UK-based ISP before pivoting to research and writing. Marcus has reviewed over 40 VPN providers, contributed to the Open Technology Fund's circumvention research, and writes the quarterly Streaming Infrastructure Report covering CDN performance, VPN detection systems, and Smart DNS reliability. His technical background gives him direct insight into why certain services fail in specific markets. He holds a BEng in Computer Networks from the University of Manchester and CompTIA Security+ certification.
Articles by Marcus Webb
Best VPN for Streaming in 2026: Tested With Netflix, Hulu & Disney+
We tested VPNs for unblocking Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ from outside the US. Only three work reliably. Speed and server comparison included.
March 16, 2026 · 15 min readHow Geo-Blocking Technology Actually Works
IP geolocation, Widevine DRM, and VPN detection -- the tech streaming services use to block you when you travel or live outside the US/UK.
March 16, 2026 · 9 min readWhy Netflix Looks Blurry on Chrome (And How to Fix It)
Chrome caps Netflix at 720p due to Widevine L3 DRM restrictions. Only Edge (PlayReady) and Safari (FairPlay) enable 4K streaming on desktop.
March 16, 2026 · 7 min readHDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos: Which Streaming Services Support What
Netflix Atmos: original language only; dubs drop to 5.1. Full HDR & Dolby Vision chart for every streaming platform.
March 16, 2026 · 10 min readHow Netflix Open Connect Works: 19,000 Servers Explained
Netflix places 19,000+ servers inside ISP networks, delivering 95% of traffic. How Open Connect eliminates buffering.
March 16, 2026 · 8 min readAV1 vs HEVC: Why the Open-Source Codec Won
AV1 now powers 30% of Netflix and 75%+ of YouTube. HEVC's licensing costs held it back, and AV1 took over.
March 16, 2026 · 9 min readHow to Watch Peacock Outside the US in 2026
Peacock is US-only. If you moved abroad or are traveling, here are the workarounds and local alternatives that carry NBC content in your country.
March 21, 2026 · 10 min readHow to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad in 2026 (Without a VPN)
BBC iPlayer is blocked outside the UK. BritBox, BBC Select, and Smart DNS are the options for expats and travelers who want BBC content from abroad.
March 21, 2026 · 11 min readDAZN Sports Streaming: Full Country-by-Country Guide for 2026
DAZN is in 200+ countries but sports rights change by market. Bundesliga in Germany, F1 in Japan, boxing in the US. What you actually get in your country.
March 21, 2026 · 14 min readSmart DNS vs VPN for Streaming: Which Actually Works in 2026
Trying to stream from outside the US or UK? Smart DNS has zero speed loss; VPNs add encryption but slow you down 10-30%. Tested results for each method.
March 21, 2026 · 11 min readHow to Watch Hulu Outside the US in 2026 (Actually Works)
Hulu does not work outside the US. If you are an expat or traveling, here are the workarounds and the best Hulu alternatives in your country.
March 21, 2026 · 8 min readNetflix Price by Country 2026: The Cheapest Countries Ranked
Pakistan pays $1.61/month for Netflix. Switzerland pays $30.56. Full country-by-country price ranking, and whether cheaper plans come with fewer shows.
March 21, 2026 · 10 min readHow to Watch HBO Max Outside the US in 2026
Max operates in 65+ countries but HBO content is on Sky in the UK, Binge in Australia, and Crave in Canada. Find it in your country.
March 21, 2026 · 11 min readIs Pluto TV Available Worldwide? Country-by-Country Breakdown (2026)
Pluto TV is free but only in about 35 countries. Channel lineups differ by region. Which countries have it and free alternatives where it is blocked.
March 22, 2026 · 7 min readIs Crunchyroll Available in Your Country? Full 2026 List
Crunchyroll is in 200+ countries but the US gets the full library. Europe gets 60-80%, Latin America 40-60%. What your country is missing and alternatives.
March 22, 2026 · 8 min readHow to Bypass Geo-Restrictions on Streaming in 2026
Blocked from your home streaming library after moving abroad? VPNs, Smart DNS, and proxies compared with real speed tests for expats and travelers.
March 22, 2026 · 10 min readBest VPN for Sports Streaming in 2026
NFL, F1, and Premier League are geo-locked by country. We tested VPNs for watching live sports from abroad. NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN results.
March 22, 2026 · 12 min readHow to Watch US Netflix From Anywhere in 2026
Living abroad and missing US Netflix originals? The US library has 7,865 titles. Methods that still work for expats and digital nomads in 2026.
March 22, 2026 · 9 min read
Guides by Marcus Webb
4K Streaming Setup Guide: Get the Best Picture Quality
Most browsers cap Netflix at 720p. Only Edge and Safari deliver 4K. This guide covers codecs, HDR formats, browser limitations, and device requirements for the best streaming picture.
9 min readIs Using a VPN for Streaming Legal?
VPN streaming is a Terms of Service violation, not a criminal offense. No individual consumer has ever been prosecuted in any Western jurisdiction. Here is the full legal breakdown.
8 min readWhy Netflix Looks Blurry in Chrome
Desktop browsers are capped at 720p for Netflix due to Widevine L3 DRM. Only Edge and Safari do 4K. Full breakdown of streaming quality by browser and platform.
7 min readStreaming Arbitrage 2026: Save Money Watching Sports by Region
The same Premier League match costs $2/month in one country and $50/month in another. Here is the full streaming arbitrage playbook — every sport, every price gap, every legal workaround.
13 min readHow to Watch Premier League in the USA 2026: Cheapest Options Ranked
Peacock shows all 380 Premier League matches in the US for $10.99/month — no blackouts. India JioStar is even cheaper at $2-3/month. Full breakdown of every market and how to access them.
9 min readHow to Keep Streaming While Traveling Abroad (Without Losing Access)
Your streaming subscriptions behave differently in every country you visit. Some work normally. Some geo-block you. Some substitute different content. This guide covers exactly what happens to each major service when you travel.
11 min readSports Streaming by Country: DAZN vs ESPN+ vs beIN Sports
Sports rights are the most fragmented content category in streaming. The same game can require three different subscriptions depending on which country you're in. This guide maps the major sports streaming services to their country-specific rights.
14 min readStreaming Devices That Work Everywhere: Apple TV vs Fire Stick vs Roku
Not all streaming devices work in all countries. Roku is US/UK focused. Fire Stick works in more countries. Apple TV 4K works globally but costs more. Chromecast with Google TV has broad but inconsistent app availability. This guide compares them all.
10 min readVPN for Streaming 2026: Setup Guide for Netflix, Hulu & More
How to set up a VPN for streaming on any device — phone, laptop, smart TV, or router. Covers which VPNs actually unblock Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer in 2026, plus common fixes when it fails.
12 min readBest Streaming Device in 2026: Apple TV vs Roku vs Fire Stick vs Chromecast Compared
A direct comparison of the four major streaming devices in 2026 — Apple TV 4K, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Google TV Chromecast — with clear recommendations based on your ecosystem and budget.
11 min read