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Want to learn how to watch American TV from outside the United States? We live in a golden age of American television, where the United States produces some of the best programs in the world. There is also a growing global audience for American sports and even American news and politics.
However, while the Internet has made all of these things more accessible to those living within the US than ever before, it isn’t always easy to view – or even possible – if you’re traveling or living outside the US. Here we’ll tell you why and what exactly you can do to fix this.
Why do you want US TV but can’t get it?
There are several perfectly legitimate reasons why you might want to stream and learn how to watch US TV from outside the US. US citizens obviously want US news and sports when they visit or live elsewhere, and if you’re paying for US streaming services like Hulu, HBO Now, or Netflix, you’ll probably want to be able to keep up with your favorite shows even when you’re abroad.
Meanwhile, many residents of the UK and other countries may want a way to watch US news or US sports. Finally, the fact that the US has some great video streaming services that non-US residents cannot access – including Hulu and HBC Now – while the US version of Netflix often contains movies and shows that are not available on Netflix within other regions can’t be overlooked. .
The problem is that most US broadcasters and streaming services restrict broadcasts within US borders, using your IP address to determine your location, and then block the broadcast if that location is outside the US. There are two ways to get around this, however, the most obvious way is to use a VPN service to hide your real location.
First, though, there are some caveats. Some US streaming services require you to register with the service before watching. This may require that you have a US credit card and can provide a US address. Others ask you to sign in with your US cable subscription details; Not a problem if you have one, not great if you don’t.
Moreover, large streaming services have become wise to viewers who are streaming via VPN, and have put in place means to detect VPN and prevent users from accessing the service. While some VPNs do a great job of staying ahead of their blocking tools, there is no guarantee that what works well now will continue to work within three weeks.
How to watch American TV from abroad
There is no shortage of websites and services for watching US TV, including online streaming and catch-up services. CBS, NBC, and ABC offer free live streaming and up-to-date TV programming, but only to connected viewers from within the United States.
There is no such restriction in some channels, so you can watch the live broadcast of CBS News or News letters from the UK, Europe or elsewhere, but in general viewers from outside the US will be banned. There are also some paid online services that collect and provide live TV from major US channels, including Watching TV outside And the USTV Now. These services may or may not work for you and there are some concerns about their legality.
Watch US TV from abroad with ExpressVPN on Windows and macOS
The easiest way to watch US TV services from abroad is through a VPN. ExpressVPN It is the best choice here because it works across PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, and it works with all the free TV and streaming TV services, not to mention the paid video streaming services like Hulu, HBO Now, and Netflix. There is also a 30-day free trial, which means you can cancel your account if you feel you don’t need a VPN without having to shell out any money.
Sign up for an account at ExpressVPN, then install the application on your computer; Versions are available for both Windows and macOS. Once installed, launch the app and sign in with your account details, or create one if you need to.
Using a VPN is really simple, so just follow these instructions to fix your US TV:
- Open the ExpressVPN client on Windows or macOS and click the three-dotted button next to the country name in the middle bar.
- In the window that opens, you will see a list of countries, including the United States. Here you have two options.
- You can either select US in the list to connect to the fastest server near you (we recommend doing this).
- Alternatively, you can click the arrow next to US to see a list of cities you can call.
- As distance is a factor, the US East Coast usually gives you better performance than the UK or Europe, although the US Midwest can also give you good results.
- Now press the big power button above Offline to turn on the VPN and connect to the US server you selected.
- Finally, turn on your browser and make your way to the US streaming or streaming service of your choice. Some will work right away and you should be able to connect to any free streaming services or wherever you have a current US subscription. As mentioned, some US services, such as NBC, will require details of your US cable or satellite supplier before you will be allowed to connect.
How to watch American TV from abroad on your smartphone or tablet
Of course, if you’re traveling on vacation rather than traveling for work, you probably don’t have a Windows or macOS laptop. If so, you can still contact ExpressVPN on your Android or iOS Smartphone or tablet.
you can use ExpressVPN on five devices simultaneously, making it a great option for your entire family or even a group of friends.
- Or not, Register for an account. It is risk-free for 30 days after registration.
- After installing and setting up the app (you only need to do this once), open the ExpressVPN app on your smartphone or tablet (we’re using Android, but the steps will be the same for iOS).
- Now click on the three dots next to the country name you see in the bottom bar.
- In the window that opens, you will see a list of countries, including the United States. Here you have two options.
- You can either select US in the list to connect to the fastest server near you (we recommend doing this).
- Alternatively, you can click the arrow next to US to see a list of cities you can call.
- As distance is a factor, the US East Coast usually gives you better performance than the UK or Europe, although the US Midwest can also give you good results.
- After you make your selection, the VPN will automatically connect to your chosen US city and the power button will turn green to indicate that you are connected to a US server.
- Now open the app you want to use to watch US TV on your device, including Netflix, HBO Now, or Hulu.
- Some will work right away and you should be able to connect to any free streaming services or wherever you have a current US subscription. As mentioned, some US services, such as NBC, will require details of your US cable or satellite supplier before you will be allowed to connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a subscription without a US-based credit card?
yes! Many subscription services sell gift cards. From Sling, to Hulu, and even Disney Plus, you can look to use the internet to purchase a gift card, activate a subscription, pair with your VPN, and watch US content abroad.
Can I watch American TV for free while I’m away?
yes. There are some free TV services like PlutoTV that you can tune in. If you are looking for live TV, you may need to sign in with your US cable provider or streaming service that offers live TV.
How is content blocked?
When a device connects to the Internet, the ISP assigns it an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address can reveal the actual location of the user. This is how streaming servers refuse connections from viewers outside the US.
How can you watch US TV banned abroad?
If you want to watch blocked US TV abroad, you will need an IP address from the United States. A VPN can assign you a new IP address in the United States. You will be connected to a VPN server located within the United States. This hides your real IP address, making it appear as if the VPN server’s IP address is yours. Aside from giving you access to US TV streams, a VPN can also allow you to access gaming servers, streaming content, and other services from other countries. In our opinion, the best VPN out there ExpressVPN.