Last Update: September 12, 2023
Want to know if it's possible to stream US TV abroad? Yes, it's absolutely possible. All you need is a streaming-capable device such as a PC, laptop, tablet, or cell phone, a reliable internet connection, and a VPN that can bypass geoblocking.
To get around geoblocking, I recommend you NordVPN* or CyberGhost*(price tip). Both VPN providers have proven to be reliable and I have tested them successfully myself. With a VPN, you can change your virtual location to get access to American TV from anywhere.
If you want to watch American television over the Internet, you'll have to look into streaming. I did some research of my own to find out which U.S. TV channels are available to watch online. In the process, I noticed that many American TV stations don't offer their own livestreams. Instead, they are integrated into various streaming platforms.
I focused particularly on the options for watching American television for free. So I did some research, and I present the results to you now.
If you have a subscription to an American streaming service, you can use it outside the US with the help of a VPN service. To do so, one connects to a server in the US to bypass the geographical restriction and gain access to the service. NordVPN* and CyberGhost* are two of the best VPN providers that offer good performance and a variety of servers in the U.S.
Here are the most popular US streaming services or American broadcasters:
It's hard to subscribe to these channels outside of the US. This is mainly because you have to pay for the services with a US payment method. So if you don't have a US PayPal and a US credit card it will be difficult.
Paying with vouchers, so-called gift cards can indeed be a good way to subscribe to the US streaming services listed above, even outside the US. You can get these, as an Apple user, from the iTunes Store. Everyone else can buy them from Amazon or websites like MyGiftCardSupply.
There are yet some streaming platforms that provide American channels or TV for free in live stream. Partly, the offers contain advertising or it is only certain content for free. In any case, you can receive very good American television with VPN and even free of charge. In my opinion, that's what it comes down to - not paying anything. I present you now in the following my favorites for US-TVgratis:
One of the best free American streaming platforms is ABC.com. Here you have the opportunity to watch American TV online with VPN without subscribing. Watch TV series like the Bachelor, Station 19, Good Doctor, Grey's Anatomy, 2020 and much more. To watch them for free, all you need is a good streaming VPN. Watch out though, because the latest series, episodes and seasons are usually behind a paywall. That's how the service wants to lure you into a subscription.
In terms of violence and crime, there is no doubt that the U.S. is considered a significantly higher risk place. On the channel of the US private channel A&E you have the opportunity to watch online for free many American crime TV shows. In addition, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment is prominently featured.
To receive the service, you can either establish a VPN connection to a server in the US or you are currently in the US. Peacock TV has a limited free version of its service. With it, you can stream American TV for free. In addition to movies, shows and TV series, one or the other channel is also accessible so US TV live stream.
The registration for this offer is a bit cumbersome. To make it work for you, you simply need to click on the Get Premium button and then go to the Watch Peacock option to get the free subscription.
By using a VPN service, you can unlock Pluto TV's full US library and access over 250 channels, including live streaming US TV like CNN, NBC and CBS. If you select a VPN server in the US, you'll get access to the entire Pluto TV lineup.
The US TV channel National Geographic is probably one of the best known channels when it comes to exciting documentaries. So it's all the more surprising that you can get access to the media library without further ado and watch all US documentaries for free.
The US streaming service CBS offers another way to watch American TV for free. Currently, I'm watching the US show The Equilizer. Want to watch a US live stream, you'll have to subscribe.
So, you want to know how to stream American TV with a VPN? I have summarized it for you in four short steps.
Total Time: 15 minutes
You are spoiled for choice. I highly recommend CyberGhost* when it comes to US streaming. It has top streaming servers that are specifically tuned to US broadcasters and services. Moreover, it is quite cheap!
Once you've decided, install the client or app on your device. No matter what operating system you have, CyberGhost offers solutions for all popular variants.
The next step is to connect to one of the US servers. Depending on which channel you want to watch, there are also servers specifically designed for the streaming service. This is already absolute top class among the best VPN services.
Once connected to the US server, your device is masked with an American IP address. Then you are ready to start streaming and bypass the geoblocking of the US service. Enjoy watching American TV with VPN.
When it comes to American TV, the question is how to get access to it, especially if you are abroad. In order to watch US television programs in live stream online, one needs a US IP address. Without this IP address, one will encounter obstacles and will not be able to receive the desired program. US broadcasters have to adhere to licensing agreements and therefore often use geoblocking to block certain content in certain countries. However, with a VPN server in the respective country, you can bypass this geoblocking.
Security should also be considered, especially when traveling to the US. There are many dangers lurking on public Wi-Fi networks, such as hackers and nosy government agencies that could access confidential data. For this reason, one should consider using a reputable VPN service that protects one's anonymity and disguises online activities.
Your protection and the anonymity of your data should be your top priority. If you are looking into how to watch American television online or live stream, you will inevitably come across illegal streams and websites. It is important to never visit them without an activated VPN connection. It can be difficult to spot illegal streams at first glance, and you might find yourself on such a site unintentionally.
I would like to explicitly state here that the use of the following US streams is illegal. I mention them only in the context of my research on the topic of US TV in Germany, in order to ensure full disclosure.
To put it bluntly, the presumably illegal and dubious US streams have a very questionable appearance. It is important to ask yourself what use such offers have and how the sites finance themselves. If you can't find a clear answer to this, I advise against using these streams. It could be that you make yourself liable to prosecution at your location if you use these offers. But it's best to check and decide that for yourself.
Generally, I would always use a reputable VPN service, should you access such sites.
It's difficult to say which VPN services perform best in this comparison, as all three providers do an excellent job when it comes to simulating a US IP address. Ultimately, it also depends on what exactly you want to use the VPN for and how much experience you already have with VPNs.
NordVPN is an excellent choice and offers an all-around VPN package that will definitely satisfy you. With NordVPN, you can easily bypass US geoblocking and access Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Peacock, Sling TV, Fubo TV, ABC, A&E, National Geographic, and more. NordVPN also offers a VPN client for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, as well as browser extensions and a CyberSec adblocker. Additionally, NordVPN commits to no log storage and allows P2P/Torrents. With six simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN is an excellent choice for anyone.
CyberGhost is undoubtedly one of the top VPNs on the market and is particularly suitable for streaming, especially US television. It offers dedicated VPN servers for streaming services and is slightly less expensive than NordVPN.
With CyberGhost, you can unblock any streams that are restricted by US geoblocking. The VPN client is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and there are also browser extensions and an adblocker. Like NordVPN, CyberGhost has a strict no-logs policy and allows P2P and torrent downloads. You can make up to seven simultaneous connections, and there's a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
PIA is a VPN provider with more than 25,000 servers in about 84 countries and offers impressive coverage in the VPN market. However, it is not as reliable at streaming as the top VPN services mentioned above. PIA allows bypassing US geoblocking for streaming services like Netflix, ABC, A&E and National Geographic. It offers VPN clients for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, as well as browser extensions and an adblocker. PIA also has a no-logs agreement and allows P2P/Torrents. With PIA, you can make unlimited simultaneous connections, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Some of the VPN services mentioned above allow you to unblock US streaming services. With Fubo TV and VPN, you have a top opportunity to watch the American NHL or NFL for free during the trial period. Fubo TV is a US streaming service that specializes in sports content. You can watch live broadcasts of various sports, including the NHL and NFL.
I cannot recommend the use of free VPN services, as it is usually associated with significant restrictions in terms of speed, data volume and security. Often, users' own surfing behavior is also logged and used for advertising purposes. In addition, free VPNs often have a higher risk of malware infections or data leaks. So, if you need a reliable and secure connection, you should opt for a paid VPN service.
Please note that bypassing geoblocking may be against the terms of service of the respective streaming service. Although it is legal in most countries to use a VPN to encrypt and protect your data, other countries may consider bypassing geoblocking illegal. I advise you to carefully check the laws and terms of service of the country and service you want to use before using a VPN to bypass geoblocking.
