It wouldn’t be difficult to argue that the United States is the television capital of the world, or at least the birthplace of modern television culture.
From Walter Cronkite to fox and friends, I love Lucia to The Simpsons, The twilight zone to The Sopranos; Whether news, current affairs, comedy or drama, American television has produced some of the most iconic and enduring programs committed to the format.
And that’s before you even start playing sports. What would the sports calendar be like without Super Bowl Sunday, the Fall Classic, the Indy 500 and WrestleMania? Or, more recently, the 2026 World Cup that the United States will co-host.
American shows and sports are collectively the most popular in the world, meaning you can still watch them on local channels when you’re abroad. But this is not always the case: college basketball, for example, has limited appeal outside the United States. And if you’re going to watch your usual websites, apps, and streaming platforms in a different region, they’re unlikely to work due to rights restrictions.
Fortunately, there is a very simple way to avoid these blackouts. By using one of the best VPNs, you can watch all the American TV you want when traveling outside its borders. Read on to find out how.
Why can’t I watch American TV abroad?
As we say, the international proliferation of American television and sports means there’s a good chance you’ll be able to watch the content you want in many other parts of the world.
However, due to licensing and rights agreements, you won’t necessarily be able to watch them on the platform you’ve grown accustomed to (and, in most cases, paid for).
try to look Love Island United States in peacock, Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu, or a numbered UFC event on Paramount Plus, for example, and you’ll get an error message telling you that you can’t stream them. The same goes for OTT cable alternatives like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling TV; all are region restricted to the US.
It can even happen with certain content like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. They have slightly different libraries depending on the territory you are in. So you can forget about looking The Great British Baking Show on Netflix if you’re not in the United States.
And even if you find the sports show or event on a local station, you may have to subscribe to stream. That doesn’t seem fair if you’ve already paid a premium at home to see the exact same thing.
How can I watch American television from abroad?
This is where having a good Netflix VPN or Peacock VPN can pay dividends.
The clever engineers at these VPN companies are constantly working to make their tools compatible with the world’s largest streaming platforms, allowing you to watch them no matter where you are in the world.
The technology effectively spoofs your IP address to make your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or streaming device appear to be in a completely different location.
Specifically, in this case, a location within the US.
Then, when you load your app for Disney+, Apple TV, DirecTV, or anything else, it will think you’re back home so you won’t get that annoying error message.
That’s at least in theory. Only the best streaming VPNs can unblock a wide range of these platforms. That’s why it’s worth making sure you get one that will come to your rescue when you’re abroad on business or vacation…
What is the best VPN for watching US TV abroad?
Step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to watch American TV abroad
Using a VPN to watch US TV abroad is a blast…
- Sign up and install a VPN on your device (NordVPN is our top pick)
- Connect to one of their servers in the United States
- Go to the website or app of the US streaming service you want to use
- Hit play and enjoy!
We have learned that the best is Connect to your US VPN server first. before loading the streaming app or website you’re trying to unblock. We found that if you do it the other way around (i.e., going to the streaming platform first), you can actually “warn” the streamer, making the VPN less likely to work its magic correctly.
And another piece of advice we have is use an incognito window you are streaming within a web browser. Again, it just helps to make sure that none of your cookies or usage history let the streaming platform know that you are currently abroad.
What sports can I watch on American television from abroad?
As a sports-crazed nation, American television features almost every event you can imagine, both domestic and foreign.
The NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB all come out across an intricate variation of networks and their associated streaming platforms. Everything that would normally be available on cable can also be viewed on an OTT cord-cutting service.
Paramount Plus and Netflix are the respective homes of the UFC and WWE, while Fox is the existing Nascar provider and has exclusive action from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Apple TV has upped its game in recent years to win the rights to show MLS soccer and all the races of the Formula 1 season.
NBC’s Peacock platform carried extensive coverage of the most recent Summer and Winter Olympics, as well as Tour de France cycling.
In terms of foreign soccer, Peacock shows English Premier League matches, ESPN has Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga, and CBS broadcasts the UEFA Champions League.
And what about sports that are traditionally less popular in the United States? Dedicated platforms such as RugbyPass and Willow TV respectively feature global rugby and cricket action.
What news, dramas and comedies can I watch on American television from abroad?
While some 24/7 streaming news shows will work wherever you are (e.g. Fox News, MS Now), others won’t (e.g. NewsNation) without the use of a VPN.
Both current and prestige dramas can be streamed on a variety of streaming platforms. George RR Martin’s stories are an apt example of this: game of Thrones and Dragon House can be viewed with an HBO Max subscription. Peacock Originals Include ponies and The five star weekendwhile Disney+ has many doctor who.
Fortunately, most of the proprietary shows coming to Netflix and Apple TV can be viewed from one region to another. So people like Squid Game, stranger things and Rupture can be streamed from virtually anywhere.
It’s a very similar situation in terms of comedies. Friends makes its home on HBO Max, while Seinfeld It is on Netflix and all seasons of Health They are on Hulu. For something more contemporary, you would need Paramount Plus to Colin of Accountsmain video for Bait and Apple TV for Ted Lasso.
Just remember, if you have trouble watching any of these when you’re out of the country, you’ll need to invest in a good VPN. They are more affordable than you imagine.
