I think the reason the iPlayer is almost non-existent outside of the UK is just to do with tv licenses. Brits pay for their bbc service and so allowing anyone outside of the UK to watch the same content for free aint right.

Which is annoying, as I want to watch Top Gear.

I suppose similar things may happen with youtube content. I noticed I got that message trying to watch Father Ted last night, even though there was an alternate youtube video that had the whole episode anyway.