How to watch US TV abroad

Want to watch US TV in Europe, Canada, the UK, or anywhere else? US TV networks and streaming platforms are region-locked because of licensing. If you go on vacation or want a way for expats to watch American TV, a VPN is the best solution.

Keep reading to learn why free VPNs don’t work to bypass US geo-blocks, why my top picks also give you Smart DNS for US TV, and for all the steps needed to get a US IP address for streaming. The only caveat? Some services require a valid US payment method to subscribe, but I’ll discuss a few workarounds.

How to watch US TV abroad with a VPN

New to VPNs? I’ve included my top recommendations and the exact steps I used to watch American TV abroad in 2026. Just copy me to watch US TV on vacation or while traveling for work.

How to change your IP address to the US to unblock American TV:

1. Choose a VPN for US TV. I recommend NordVPN because it has fast US servers and works reliably with popular American streaming services. Surfshark is a cheaper alternative with unlimited connections, making it perfect for larger families who want to unblock different US TV shows.
2. Subscribe to the VPN. Get a steep discount by clicking the links above. The links above include an exclusive discount code and a money-back guarantee.
3. Install the VPN app. My favorite VPNs for US TV have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Firestick, and other streaming devices.
4. Connect to a server in America. This will change your IP address to a US IP address for streaming.
5. Open the US TV service you want to watch. Log in to your account and start streaming.

US TV streaming test results compared

VPN not working with US TV? Try these fixes

I’ve tested all the VPNs I recommend for watching American TV abroad. That said, my own testing showed that, at times, you still need a little troubleshooting to get the VPN working. The key thing to remember is that streaming platforms detect your location using multiple signals, not just your IP address.

1. Clear your cookies and cache: Old location data can conflict with your VPN and reveal your real location. This causes a conflict with the VPN IP.
2. Use the website instead of the app: Open the streaming service in Chrome or Firefox. Apps can use GPS and other device location signals that conflict with your VPN.
3. Request the desktop site: If the browser keeps sending you to the app, open the browser settings and select Request Desktop Site.
4. Try another US server: The IP address you are using may already be blocked by the streaming service.
5. Reconnect the VPN: This can give you a different US IP address on the same server.
6. Turn off location services: Disable GPS and browser location access so they cannot reveal your real location.
7. Change VPN protocol: Try WireGuard, OpenVPN, or the provider’s own protocol.
8. Ask support which server works: Live chat can usually tell you which US server currently works with the service you want to watch.

Need to stream on mobile? If you specifically want to stream US TV on an Android smartphone or tablet, I recommend using Surfshark. Surfshark has a specialist feature that works with real mobile streaming apps on Android. This makes the experience smoother.

Methodology: How I tested and ranked the best VPNs for US TV

I tested 20 leading VPNs to find the best for watching American TV at work or abroad. I used the same criteria for every provider. This keeps my ranking unbiased and based on objective metrics like US streaming access, fast connections, privacy, device support, and value for money.

These were my main testing criteria:

• Reliable access to Netflix US, Hulu, Max, Peacock, Paramount+, ESPN+, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and other major US networks
• Fast US servers with enough speed for HD and 4K streaming
• Apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Firestick, Apple TV, and other streaming devices
• Smart DNS and router support for TVs that cannot install a VPN directly
• A kill switch and no DNS, IPv4, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks
• Secure protocols, a trustworthy no-logs policy, and obfuscation for restricted wifi
• Responsive customer support when a US streaming server stops working
• Value for money, generous connection limits, and a money-back guarantee so you can test the VPN yourself

What are the best free VPNs to watch US TV?

I tested Hotspot Shield, ProtonVPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN. Both Windscribe and PrivadoVPN unblocked ABC and CBS News, as well as free on-demand content on ABC and CBS. ProtonVPN also worked with ABC, PBS, and CBS. However, you often have to wait before using the Change Server feature because ProtonVPN assigns free servers automatically and limits how often you can switch. Hotspot Shield’s free servers worked for CBS News, but they failed on other platforms.

On paid platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Max, the results were much less successful. I couldn’t access any popular paid US streaming service using a free VPN. This is largely because free VPNs have smaller, more heavily shared server pools, and providers often reserve reliable streaming support for paid users. ProtonVPN, for example, says it does not block streaming on its free servers, but only guarantees streaming access on paid plans. This means you will need to pay for one of my recommended VPNs for reliable access to paid US streaming services.

VPN for US TV FAQs