It would not be a difficult argument to make 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 & Friends, I love Lucy 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, enduring shows committed to the format.
And that’s before you even get to sports. What would the sports calendar look like without Super Bowl Sunday, the Fall Classic, the Indy 500 and WrestleMania? Or at the latest the World Cup in 2026, which the USA is co-hosting.
America’s shows and sports are collectively the most popular in the world, meaning you can continue to watch them on local channels when you’re abroad. But that’s not always the case—college basketball, for example, has limited appeal outside the states. And if you’re watching your usual streaming sites, apps and platforms in another region, they’re unlikely to work due to rights restrictions.
Fortunately, there is a very simple way to get around these blackouts. By using one of the best VPNs, you can watch as much American TV as you want when you travel outside its borders. Keep reading to find out how.
Why can’t I watch US TV abroad?
As we say, the international reach of American TV 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 that you’ve grown accustomed to (and, more commonly than not, pay for).
Try to see Love Island USA at the Peacock, Welcome to Wrexham on Hulu, or a numbered UFC event on Paramount Plus, for example, and you’ll be greeted with an error message telling you you can’t stream them. The same goes for OTT cable alternatives like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling TV — all of which are region-restricted to the US.
It can even happen with certain content on Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. They have slightly different libraries depending on what area you’re in. So you can forget about looking The Great British Baking Show on Netflix if you’re not Stateside.
And even if you find the show or sporting event on a local station, you may end up having to subscribe to the stream. It hardly seems fair if you’ve already paid a premium at home to see the exact same thing.
How can I watch US TV from abroad?
This is where having a good Netflix VPN or Peacock VPN pays off.
The clever engineers at these VPN companies are constantly working to make their tools compatible with the world’s biggest streaming platforms, thereby letting you watch them no matter where you are in the world.
The technology effectively spoofs your IP address, making your laptop, smartphone, tablet or streaming device appear to be in a completely different location.
Specifically, in this case, somewhere back in the US.
So, when you load your app for Disney+, Apple TV, DirecTV, or something else, it will think you’re back home and won’t hit you with that annoying error message.
At least it is in theory. Only the best streaming VPNs are able to unblock a wide range of these platforms. That’s why it’s worth making sure you get someone to come to your rescue when you’re abroad on business or vacation…
Which is the best VPN for watching US TV abroad?
Step-by-step guide to using a VPN to watch US TV abroad
Using a VPN to watch US TV abroad is a stupid…
- Sign up and install a VPN on your device (NordVPN is our preferred choice)
- Connect to one of its US servers
- Go to the website or app of the US streaming service you want to use
- Press play and enjoy!
We have learned that it is best to connect to your US VPN server first before loading the streaming app or website you are trying to unblock. We’ve found that if you do it the other way around (ie go to the streaming platform first) you can effectively ‘tip off’ the streamer, making it less likely that the VPN will work its magic properly.
And another tip we have is to use an incognito window you stream in a web browser. Again, it just helps to make sure none of your cookies or usage history triggers the streaming platform to know you’re currently abroad.
What sports can I watch on US TV from abroad?
As a sports-mad nation, American television hosts just about every event you can imagine from both home and abroad.
The NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB all operate on an intricate variety of networks and their associated streaming platforms. Anything 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 every race of the Formula 1 season.
Extensive coverage of the recent Summer and Winter Olympics was carried by NBC’s Peacock platform, as was Tour de France cycling.
In terms of overseas soccer, Peacock shows English Premier League matches, ESPN has La Liga from Spain and Bundesliga from Germany, and CBS carries the UEFA Champions League.
And what about sports that are traditionally less popular in the States? Dedicated platforms such as RugbyPass and Willow TV offer global rugby union and cricket action respectively.
What news, dramas, and comedies can I watch on US TV from abroad?
While some 24/7 rolling news broadcasts will work wherever you are (eg Fox News, MS Now), others will not (eg NewsNation) without the use of a VPN.
Both current and prestige dramas can be streamed on a number of streaming platforms. George RR Martin’s stories are a fitting example of this – Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon can be viewed with a subscription to HBO Max. Peacock Originals include Ponies and Five star weekendwhile Disney+ has plenty of Doctor Who.
Fortunately, most of the proprietary shows that land on Netflix and Apple TV can be viewed on a region-by-region basis. Then those who Play octopus, Stranger Things and Resignation can be streamed pretty much anywhere.
It’s a very similar situation with regard to comedies. Friends makes its home on HBO Max, while Seinfeld sitting on Netflix and all seasons of Bowl is on Hulu. For something more modern, use Paramount Plus for Colin from AccountsPrime Video for Bait and Apple TV for Ted Lasso.
Just remember, if you struggle to watch 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 might imagine.
