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From the post-war television boom to the MTV Generation and golden age of prestige television boxsets, the U.S. has long been at the forefront of innovation in TV. To list all of the great shows the country has produced over the years would require subset after subset of Wikipedia pages — and that's before you get to the swathes of live sports coverage it broadcasts every day.
Despite its influence on the global television industry, however, trying to watch U.S. TV when overseas is problematic.
Yes, much of what comes out of the States finds its own carriers and streaming services in different regions. But that sometimes means a big delay in availability (to which any Brit who had to painfully wait for "The Pitt" to make it to the U.K. will attest) or, if you're on vacation, potentially paying for another service for something you'd ordinarily be able to watch at home.
Using a VPN changes that. Turn on a service like NordVPN and jump on one of its many United States-based servers, and you'll soon be streaming just like you were back at home. Below we explain how, and what this handy tool will allow you to watch.
How to watch U.S. TV from anywhere in the world
Americans away from home will be frustrated when trying to watch their domestic streaming services — even those they pay a subscription for — when out of the country. The platforms simply won't function like they do back in the States.
You can still stream their content, however, by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
What U.S. streaming services can I watch with a VPN?
While some of America's biggest networks open up their free streams to a global audience — ABC's News Live feed and CNN headlines, for example — you'll be met with an error message if you try to stream the likes of NBC or LiveNOW from FOX when outside of the U.S.
The same issues arise with cable networks that you normally access through a website or app, using your provider credentials.
You'll even be blocked from watching U.S.-specific streaming services that you pay a subscription to watch. So that includes standalone platforms like Peacock, Hulu, FOX One or ESPN Select/Unlimited, as well as OTT cable replacement services such as Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV.
It goes the same whether what you want to watch is going out live or your catching up on demand later. And the above platforms are merely examples — if you have a favorite streaming website or platform that's impacted by geo-restrictions, a VPN should be your first port of call to access your content.
While not every VPN has the smarts to unlock all of these services when away from the U.S. on vacation or business, picking out one of the best streaming VPNs will give you a fighting chance of being able to keep in touch with your favorite shows, films and live sports coverage.
What other streaming services work with a VPN?
If you're thinking: "I'm OK because my main subscription services are Disney Plus, HBO Max and Paramount Plus, and they're available around the world," there's still a quirk you need to be aware of.
Due to rights reasons, the catalogs of those subscription platforms can vary from country to country. So the content you see on them when in the U.S. may disappear completely when you cross the border
Take "Doctor Who", for instance. If you're used to happily streaming new and old seasons on on your Disney Plus account at home, you'll discover that the episodes are nowhere to be seen if you travel to the U.K. and open up the platform. That's because the show is exclusively a BBC property across the Atlantic. Exactly the same can be said for new drama "Half Man", which is on HBO Max in the U.S. (and globally) but the BBC in the U.K.
And monthly UFC numbered events are a great example when it comes to sports. Octagon action goes out on Paramount Plus in the U.S., but not elsewhere — you'd even need to splash out on PPV if you're in Canada or Australia.
It's a similar case with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN and even YouTube sometimes. The lone exception is Apple TV, which is basically the same wherever you go.
What U.S. TV shows can I watch with a VPN?
Whether its local news and weather reports, or prestige miniseries and TV movies, a good VPN should unlock access to practically anything that you'd normally be able to stream in your own zip code.
It means that the list of U.S. shows you can watch with a VPN is virtually endless.
Typically American current affairs programming like "Dateline NBC" (NBC app, Peacock) and "FOX & Friends" (FOX News, FOX One) and late-night talk shows such as "Last Week Tonight" and "Real Time With Bill Maher" (both HBO Max) are the tip of the iceberg.
The nation's favorite sitcoms of past and present — such as "The Office" or "The Burbs" (both Peacock) — can be watched when travelling thanks to a VPN.
As can some of the best dramas ever made. "Succession" (HBO Max), "Yellowstone" (Peacock) and "Grey's Anatomy" (Hulu) are but three that spring to mind among the myriad examples of prestige television. Although the same can be said for reality shows, cookery shows, documentaries and pretty much any genre you can mention.
And then there are the annual live events that are particular to the States and you just wouldn't want to miss if you're away travelling. We're thinking the likes of Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (Peacock), New Year's Eve Ball Drop and awards shows such as the Oscars (Hulu).
What U.S. sports can I watch with a VPN?
NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL: North America's most popular domestic sports aren't locked down to just one network or streaming service; coverage is shared out via a wide array.
Take the NFL live streams as a prime example. The 2025/26 season was shown by a combination of (deep breath) CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NFL Network, Twitch, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Peacock, ESPN Select/ESPN Unlimited and Netflix!
Soccer: Major League Soccer (MLS) streams are now locked down to Apple TV, after its historic 10-year deal commenced in 2023. FOX and its FOX One streaming platform will show every game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Motorsports: American IndyCar and Nascar isn't widely available worldwide, so you may be relying on using a VPN to watch your domestic streamer if you're overseas. Fox carries coverage of IndyCar (including the Indianapolis 500), while Nascar can be streamed online through Peacock, FOX One and Amazon Prime.
Tennis: The US Open is shown on ESPN channels and the ESPN Select app in the U.S.
WWE: While Netflix shows WWE's Premium Live Events in most parts of the world, the rights in the U.S. currently lie with ESPN. You can at least watch Raw on Netflix stateside, with Smackdown on the USA Network.
Olympics: Peacock showed huge amounts of the last Summer and Winter Olympic games, with a lot of the action also streamed for free on the NBC website in the U.S..
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
