How to Watch American TV Outside the US in 2024 (original) (raw)
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Want to watch US TV live while you’re outside the United States? Go to a television channel’s website, head to the “Live” page, click “Play,” and — oh wait. You’re probably reading this because you tried that already, but geo-restrictions threw a wrench in your plans.
A host of television channels and networks in the United States geo-block their content. The country may be producing some of the world’s finest TV shows, movies, and programs, but licensing agreements restrict some of that content to within America’s borders.
If you’re feeling left out, don’t worry; there are a few workarounds. The most convenient and reliable option is to use a virtual private network (VPN). In this article, we’ll focus on that option and show you how to access American TV channels from abroad.
- Why Are US TV Channels Blocked Abroad?
- Watch American TV Live Outside the US With a VPN in 5 Steps
- The 5 Best VPNs for Watching US TV Outside the US
- How a VPN Unlocks Access to American TV Channels Abroad
- How We Picked the Best VPNs to Watch American TV outside the US
- Can You Watch US TV Channels Abroad With a Free VPN?
- Final Thoughts
Why Are US TV Channels Blocked Abroad?
Wonder why you can’t just fire up your favorite American TV channel’s website and stream live content while abroad? Even if you’re American and have an active TV subscription. Well, the answer lies in a complex web of licensing agreements and content distribution rights.
Basically, broadcast networks and content creators often sign licensing deals with distributors that limit where their content can be shown. Or the times they can be shown elsewhere. It’s not just an American thing. For instance, you can’t hop on BBC iPlayer to watch UK TV abroad for the same reason.
Television networks and channels use geo-blocking technology to enforce these agreements.
When you visit the NBC News website, for instance, it uses your IP address to determine your approximate location and then blocks you from watching live programs if you’re outside the United States.
© NBC
Watch American TV Live Outside the US With a VPN in 5 Steps
Remember when we mentioned that a VPN is the most convenient way to stream live broadcasts and catch-up content on American TV channels from anywhere in the world? Here’s a guide with simple step-by-step instructions:
- Choose a Reliable VPN Service: Your preferred provider must have American servers to give you a US IP address. In addition, it must be excellent at bypassing geo-restrictions and has to deliver fast connection speeds. We recommend NordVPN.
- Subscribe: Visit the VPN’s website to create an account. Select one of the subscription plans on offer and provide the required information to complete the payment.
- Download the VPN App: Your provider likely has applications (and manual setups) for various operating systems. Download the app for your device from its website or an official mobile app store.
- Connect to a US Server: Open the VPN and sign into your newly created account. Navigate to the server menu and connect to a server located in the United States. The VPN may take a few moments to change your IP address and encrypt your traffic.
- Watch American TV live or on demand: You may need to clear the cache and cookies on your browser. Afterward, you can enjoy live programs as you’re now virtually in the United States, regardless of your actual location.
The 5 Best VPNs for Watching US TV Outside the US
You’d think any VPN service with American servers is enough to unlock the world of live US television, right? Not quite.
Sure, having US servers is a crucial factor. However, several other features differentiate a great VPN from a good one — or a dud, for that matter. We know because we’ve tested 40+ providers to draw up this list.
Here are the five premium services that stood out.
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
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1
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
SEE MORE
2
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
SEE MORE
3
6500 servers
112 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
8.8 /10
SEE MORE
4
3000 servers
100 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
8.7 /10
SEE MORE
5
1. NordVPN
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Unsurprisingly, the best VPN on the market is our top choice for watching US TV channels live outside the US. NordVPN effortlessly unblocks anything, from websites to streaming services and TV channels.
We checked that out during our tests. Connecting to NordVPN’s US servers allowed us to seamlessly access popular streaming services like Netflix US and major networks like ABC and NBC. No matter which platform we attempted, the provider consistently delivered, and we had uninterrupted access to live US television.
Speedy access, too. NordVPN is consistently the fastest VPN service, thanks to its well-managed 10 Gbps network. It has over 6,300 servers in 111 countries, with almost 2,000 spread across the United States. It doesn’t hurt that the provider’s proprietary protocol, set by default, is built around the performance-friendly WireGuard.
Stream all you want on any platform, as NordVPN is widely compatible. You can even watch US TV live on devices without native VPN support, thanks to its SmartPlay, which combines the VPN’s security features with Smart DNS.
NordVPN allows you to connect to a server on up to 10 devices simultaneously, not counting the devices covered by your router.
Interested in giving NordVPN a go? You’d be doing so risk-free, as a 30-day money-back guarantee backs all its plans.
2. ExpressVPN
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ExpressVPN is another quality option for streaming American TV channels while you’re on that trip or vacation abroad. We like how lightweight its apps are, considering how they’re stacked with features. Even complete beginners should have no issues navigating and using them.
The provider’s unblocking capabilities are even more impressive. We’ve assessed ExpressVPN extensively in our last round of testing, and it managed to come through each time without hassles. You should have no problems enjoying TV channels and streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video alike.
As its name suggests, ExpressVPN takes performance seriously. For example, its proprietary protocol, Lightway, delivers a faster experience than OpenVPN without compromising your online security.
The provider has over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, all equipped with 10 Gbps ports to minimize congestion. With a significant chunk of them in the United States, you can easily acquire a US IP address and enjoy reliable connections on your favorite American TV channels.
ExpressVPN offers a wide range of native apps, including for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. But that’s not all — its MediaStreamer feature can spoof your location on non-compatible devices. That way, you can watch American TV channels directly on your smart TV or streaming device. It has an eight-device simultaneous connection limit.
Subscription plans may be on the higher end, but a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test the waters before committing.
3. Private Internet Access
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Granted, you may experience mixed success while trying to beat tough geo-blocks on major streaming services with PIA. So, why is it on this list? Because it doesn’t have that issue with American TV channels.
We confirmed this during our tests. PIA unblocked access to every channel we threw at it, and we could conveniently watch US TV live outside the USA. That includes the major networks, as well as regional sports networks like Fox Sports and ESPN. We found that streaming-optimized servers located in the East and West of the country produced the best results.
Speaking of servers, here’s another reason we consider it a great choice: PIA has VPN servers in every American state. That’s more than any other provider can boast of — but it’s no big surprise, considering it has more than 30,000 servers in total.
A vast network doesn’t always mean fast speeds. However, PIA delivers in this area, thanks to 10 Gbps servers across its entire collection and modern speedy protocols like WireGuard.
Private Internet Access has native apps for computers, phones, and compatible smart TVs. Plus, its built-in Smart DNS works on other devices, like gaming consoles and set-up boxes. Most VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. Not PIA — a single subscription covers all your devices at once.
If unsatisfied, you can always cancel your subscription within 30 days and claim a full refund, no questions asked.
4. Proton VPN
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Proton VPN has the best free VPN app, but we’re focusing on its more robust Plus plan (which is paid). It’s been creeping up in our estimations lately and has blossomed into an excellent VPN for streaming live and catch-up content.
Paid users can catch the news and episodes of their favorite shows on ABC, NBC, Fox, the CW, and several other US broadcast channels. The VPN worked reliably during our tests, and we never had to switch between servers to find one that worked. The free plan, on the other hand, managed to provide access to a few channels but hit a roadblock on several others.
You can watch US TV live smoothly without buffering and slowdowns, just like Proton VPN promises. Its network delivers high-speed connections of up to 10 Gbps on 6,000+ servers globally.
Four hundred of those servers are in the United States. That means plenty of connection options, and you can easily side-step congested servers. On top of that, it doesn’t impose any data restrictions or bandwidth throttling.
Proton VPN has apps for all the major platforms and devices. Like our top choice, NordVPN, you’re restricted to connecting ten devices at once on one account.
Every Proton VPN plan comes with a 30-day refund window. If you’re not impressed by its quality, you can cancel within that period and ask for your money back.
5. Surfshark
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Surfshark is an excellent choice for the budget-conscious — as long as they skip the rather pricey monthly plan.
But that’s not its only strong forte. Surfshark became a serious contender in our roundup when it unblocked the American TV channels we tested during a trip to Europe. Whether you’re interested in the news, sports, or TV shows, it circumvents geo-restrictions hassle-free to deliver the content.
The provider mirrored that strong showing when we checked to see if it would provide access to American libraries on platforms like NordVPN, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Hulu.
Also, Surfshark won’t let you down in terms of performance. While its network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries isn’t the most extensive we’ve come across, a whopping 600 of those are distributed across 25 American cities. Since upgrading its collection to deliver 10 Gbps connections, Surfshark’s speeds have translated into buffer-less streaming, especially on WireGuard.
You can install or manually set up Surfshark on several devices. Its Smart DNS is a practical tool for devices without native support. Like PIA, the provider allows unlimited simultaneous device connections, so all your household devices are covered.
If you find you don’t like the service within 30 days of buying a plan, you can request a refund. The VPN will reimburse you, no questions asked.
How a VPN Unlocks Access to American TV Channels Abroad
Earlier, we mentioned that TV websites (any website, really) detect your location using your IP address. You can think of it as your digital address because it identifies your device and reveals your general location. Every internet-enabled device has an IP address.
So, you visit a US TV channel’s website. It finds that you’re outside the United States (thanks to your IP address) and prevents you from viewing the programs you’re interested in.
Where does a VPN come in? It’s pretty simple. When you connect to a VPN server located in the US, the technology creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and that server.
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What’s more, it assigns you a temporary new IP address from the server location.
That new IP address becomes your disguise because it tricks the website into “thinking” that you’re in the US. As long as you use a quality streaming VPN like those discussed above, you should be able to enjoy your favorite live content as long as you’re connected.
How We Picked the Best VPNs to Watch American TV outside the US
Here’s what to look for in a top-tier VPN for watching US TV live abroad:
- Unblocking Ability: Can it bypass geo-restrictions and unblock your favorite US channels and streaming services? A top choice should consistently grant access to a wide range of US-locked content.
- Strong US Server Presence: An extensive global network is great, but it’s all the better if a VPN has a deep pool of servers in the United States. We prioritized VPNs with plenty of US servers for optimal connection speeds and reliability.
- Speed and Performance: Laggy streams are a nightmare. Speed tests helped us identify VPNs that deliver fast connections for smooth, uninterrupted streaming on live US TV channels. The providers on our list are among the fastest on the market.
- Privacy and Security: These aspects don’t take a back seat just because you’re interested in streaming. We only considered VPNs with robust arsenals that include the highest encryption standards and industry-standard features.
- Device Compatibility: So that you can watch US TV on the go (or on your smart TV), we took into account the availability of apps for various platforms, like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc. Plus, every VPN on our list allows more simultaneous connections than the industry average.
- Money-Back Guarantee: VPNs don’t always deliver what they promise. Thankfully, with a money-back guarantee, you can confirm that it meets your needs before committing.
Can You Watch US TV Channels Abroad With a Free VPN?
They may seem tempting for the obvious reason, but free VPNs tend to under-deliver. Even worse, they may come with privacy and security risks.
Take their limited networks, for instance. That typically means overcrowded servers during peak periods, resulting in crawling connection speeds. Throw in the fact that most free providers cap data and throttle bandwidth, and you can see how they’re recipes for frustrating streaming experiences. That is, if the VPN even manages to unblock the TV channel you’re interested in — and that’s a big “if,”
On top of that, many free VPNs collect information liberally to sell for profit. They may also have subpar (and missing) security features.
Final Thoughts
A VPN is the tool you need if you’re a fan or an American abroad interested in watching US TV live outside the country. The right provider unblocks channels easily and guarantees fast connection speeds for stable streaming.
This article explored the steps to take, as well as the VPNs you should consider. Top on our list is NordVPN. A heavy US presence (nearly 2,000 servers), blazing-fast speeds, and exceptional unblocking mean you can enjoy streaming like you’re in the US.