While US TV channels are the pinnacle of entertainment for many, Canadians are known as patriots. They love watching Canadian TV channels in the US or anywhere else. Much to their dismay, CBC, CTV, City TV, APTN, and many more, are region-locked to their mother country.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “can I watch Canadian TV in the US?” — you already know the frustration. Error after error, you’re tired of seeing the same result. Consider the end of it today. This guide will explain how to watch Canadian TV in the USA and unblock all channels no matter the state you’re in.
Besides, our detailed guide applies to all Canadians abroad. Even in Europe, Asia, or Australia, using our neat trick will let you access every channel in your country. We’ll also cover how to get Canadian TV channels in the USA — including popular ones like CBC and CTV. While we’re there, we’ll mention that the same clever trick also works for watching US TV channels anywhere.
How to Watch Canadian TV in the USA With a VPN: Summary
- Subscribe to a VPN with Canadian servers. We’d opt for NordVPN first but ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are suitable as well.
- Set up a VPN on your device.
- Open the VPN app and sign in with your email and password.
- Connect to a VPN server in Canada to get a Canadian IP.
- Visit CTV, City TV, CBC, or any other TV channel and stream right away.
Why Canadian TV Channels Aren’t Working in the US?
There’s a major issue when you try to access geo-restricted content. Geo-restrictions are set up in a way to detect your original location through an IP. If you’re in the United States and try to watch City TV, you’ll quickly be prevented. City TV detected you’re in the US; busted!
But why does this happen?
Well, a simple explanation would be copyrights. Each channel or streaming platform has special licenses. These licenses are essentially streaming rights that allow the channel or platform to broadcast under certain conditions.
One of these conditions is location – a crucial component. Canadian television networks are “domestic” and they can only broadcast within Canadian borders. This is precisely why many people struggle to figure out how to watch Canadian TV in the US. Broadcasting abroad would violate these channels’ agreements and they would be in a lot of trouble.
The same problem applies to CBC television, one of the country’s most popular broadcasters. Viewers who want to watch CTV in the USA or stream CBC from abroad face the exact same geo-blocks. This explains why you can’t access Canadian TV in the USA – at least most of them.
However, people online have discovered that a VPN frequently helps with streaming. It routes your traffic through an intermediary server located in another city, state, or country.
In the process, a user is assigned another IP address; the one from that server. In other words, people realized they could connect to a Canadian server, get an IP from this country, and watch Canadian TV channels in the US, Australia, Europe, or anywhere else.
How to Unblock Canadian TV in the US? [2 Simple Steps]
People who discovered this workaround usually used popular providers, one of which is NordVPN.
Our team loves NordVPN’s work, as it offers hundreds of Canadian servers, unlimited bandwidth, and streaming optimization for unblocking websites. It’s a reliable way to stream Canadian TV in the US without buffering or connection drops.
People also prefer NordVPN because it’s risk-free for 30 days. As a result, Canadians in the USA can use it to enjoy their local channels and get a refund in 30 days if they’re back home during this period. NordVPN has no hidden conditions or other fluff.
However, you’ll have to pay upfront because it’s a premium VPN. Later on, we’ll address free VPNs and explain why they’re unsuitable for watching Canadian TV channels in America. For now, let’s see how to set up NordVPN and unblock any channel from your homeland.
1. Installing a VPN
The button below is your starting point. Click it and you’ll go to NordVPN’s site. You can claim a 73% discount for its 2-year plans and be awarded some free months.
Think of this button as a nifty little NordVPN coupon, which lets you claim the best deal at any given moment.
Subscribing to NordVPN is easy. Select the cheapest plan, provide your email, and pay – done. Now, you can install NordVPN on your device. We’ve used our Windows computer but you’ll find its apps on iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux equally impressive.
Once the app is set up, you can open it, sign in, and get to the dashboard, which looks like the one above or at least, very similarly. From here, you’ll need to connect to a server in Canada and obtain your Canadian IP address. As said, this is extremely important.
2. Accessing Canadian TV in the United States
To do this, click or tap More Connection Options to open the server list. Scroll down a bit and you’ll find Canada. Finally, click or tap once on this country, and within seconds, NordVPN will connect, which will produce the Connected message up top.
With the best Canadian VPN in place, you can go ahead and enjoy watching Canadian TV in the US. Canadian channels like Yes TV, CTV, Citytv, and plenty more will be at your fingertips. Additionally, even Netflix Canada will work while using NordVPN, giving you access to Canada live TV and on-demand content alike.
You can stop reading here if you want. Your demands are already met.
How to Watch CBC in the USA
CBC deserves special attention because it’s by far the most sought-after Canadian channel for viewers abroad. Whether you want to catch the evening news, binge a drama like Law and Order Toronto, or follow hockey playoffs, knowing how to watch CBC in the US starts with the same VPN approach outlined above.
Once connected to a Canadian server, head to the CBC website or open the CBC Gem app. CBC Gem in the USA is normally blocked, but with a Canadian IP active, the platform loads as if you were back home. You can stream CBC in the USA across both the free, ad-supported tier and the premium subscription.
Sports fans aren’t left out either. CBC Sports live coverage — including Hockey Night in Canada — becomes accessible as soon as your VPN is active. The same goes for TSN, another major Canadian broadcaster that’s unavailable stateside. If you’re wondering how you can watch CBC in the United States on a specific device, the Gem CBC app is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, and Fire TV, so most setups are covered.
Beyond CBC, other Canadian TV networks like the City TV channel and APTN follow the same unblocking method. Connect to Canada, visit the channel’s site or app, and start watching. It really is that straightforward.
Best VPNs to Watch Canadian TV from the USA
If not, welcome to the continuation of our comprehensive guide. Logically, to access Canadian TV in the US, you’ll need to modify your IP address. A reliable VPN to watch Canadian TV is the most effective tool for the job — and other experts agree.
Unfortunately, not all VPNs work well for streaming, so you should exercise caution. Whether you want a Canadian TV live stream of CBC or on-demand access to CTV, the provider matters. Better yet, refer to our list below and pick one for yourself.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the crown bearer and if you’ve used it for a brief moment, you know why. Over 6,400 servers, the fastest speeds, and no bandwidth caps. Sounds like a fairytale! Luckily for us, NordVPN is a real-life fairy who won’t charge you a premium yet, providing the most.
Its 2-year deals favor budget users who don’t like spending more than $3 a month. Better yet, NordVPN includes apps for all devices, with 10 simultaneous connections in each account. This VPN’s Smart TV support is phenomenal for this very purpose.
This means you can connect it to a Smart TV in a hotel room and watch CTV or enjoy various Netflix catalogs – including the Canadian one. An important perk is NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol, which also ensures superb security and privacy, surpassing its fierce rivals.
To that, it’s good to add a no-log policy, ensuring that all your activities remain private. NordVPN’s apps come with Threat Protection for multi-layer security. This feature blocks trackers, ads, and malware so that you can watch Canadian TV in the US safely.
NordVPN’s browser extension is excellent too. It works on any add-on-supported browser and is handy for streaming thanks to Location Spoofing. If you’re unfamiliar with it, we demonstrated how to spoof your location and unblock streaming services and other sites.
NordVPN has 24/7 live chat support, flexible prices, and optional add-ons of NordLocker and NordPass. If you need encrypted cloud storage and a phenomenal password manager, the Complete plan will suit your needs. If not, even the Basic one is out of this world.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a no-brainer when it comes to accessing Canadian TV in America. With over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN took care of Canadians by providing 10 Gbps servers in multiple cities. This, in turn, lets residents enjoy benefits galore!
The provider is ranked highly on our list of the safest VPNs. It has bank-grade encryption, RAM-only servers, and a secure Lightway protocol, exuding both performance and speed. Pinned against NordVPN, ExpressVPN holds its ground marvelously in all aspects.
One of them is streaming, which is exemplified by its ability to unblock 15+ Netflix catalogs. That’s not all, as ExpressVPN also supports torrenting on all servers and works with Onion Over VPN connections. More demanding users will love its Advanced Protection.
It’s capable of blocking ads and trackers, along with porn sites if you have children. ExpressVPN’s dedicated IP addresses are optional but indeed nifty if you want to bypass IP blacklisting and host gaming servers. This VPN’s apps are some of the easiest to use.
We love its aesthetics and simplicity on all devices, coupled with 8 simultaneous connections. ExpressVPN even works on routers, making it great for gamers and those wanting to protect dozens of devices at a time. It’s lighter on features than NordVPN; the main drawback.
However, its 48% discount thanks to 3 free months for the annual plan will leave you speechless. You don’t have to say a word, though. Just enjoy your favorite Canadian TV channels live (or on-demand) in the US and be with your own thoughts.
3. Private Internet Access
Americans love PIA because it sports servers in all states. However, with over 30,000 servers in 91+ countries, you’ll find ample Canadian servers too. Private Internet Access also offers dedicated streaming servers, which, when used, produce staggering results.
Its quality 10 Gbps servers unblock ANY Canadian TV in the United States, allowing Canadians to fully relax. Even better, PIA uses WireGuard, a fast protocol that prioritizes speeds and snappiness, allowing for other activities, such as gaming and torrenting.
One of its key features is privacy, which is conducted through a no-logging policy, servers based on RAM, and a proprietary DNS service. Private Internet Access supports Multi-hop, which can be configured to double your encryption and give you more security.
Private Internet Access includes obfuscation to help combat censorship and unblock sites in China or Turkey. Users also praise PIA for its cheap prices capped at around $2.2 a month for its feature-rich 2-year plan with 2 free months. There’s another huge exciting thing.
You get unlimited simultaneous connections – way more than expected at the price! Private Internet Access lacks a Firestick TV app, which is a shame, as almost all VPNs work on Firestick. However, all desktop and mobile apps are on the compatibility list.
If you need a risk-free VPN to stream Canadian TV live in America without hassle, you should consider this one. It’s the cheapest on the list and beloved by Americans and people in other English-speaking regions, alas, inferior to the previous two options.
See Price At Private Internet Access
Can I Watch Canadian TV in the US for Free?
Speaking of inferiority, we’ll tell you what’s truly inferior; free VPNs. Canadian TV channels are mostly free and you can watch them without spending a dollar. On the other hand, to enjoy them abroad, you need a VPN, which is, by all standards, premium.
So, can you somehow watch Canadian TV in the USA free of charge? We have to say NO for the most part. Free providers lack the server fleet of premium options, and Canadian servers are almost always sacrificed. Think about Proton VPN – the best one – it has this downside.
Hide.me is another one with the lack of Canadian presence. We can recommend PrivadoVPN whose Canadian servers are fast but limited to 10 GB of monthly bandwidth. The same goes for TunnelBear whose performance is decent but ruined by the 2 GB/mo cap. If your main goal is to watch CBC in the USA free of cost, these caps make sustained streaming impossible.
People also ask how to watch Canadian TV in the USA without a VPN. Frankly, there’s no reliable method — proxy services and DNS workarounds are inconsistent and often stop working within days. A VPN remains the only dependable solution.
You can watch Canadian TV live in the US with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA for free. How?
- NordVPN has a 7-day free trial on Android.
- ExpressVPN has a 7-day free trial on Android/iOS.
- Private Internet Access has a 7-day free trial on Android/iOS.
All three also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, making them ideal free VPNs for 30 days. If you’re temporarily in the USA, even better! Get one of them, stay in touch with local Canadian content, and be refunded when you get home, not losing anything as a result.
Use NordVPN for Free for 30 Days
Is Watching Canadian TV Abroad Legal?
At the beginning of our guide, we touched on licensing agreements, copyrights, and other “legal” stuff. This spawns the question of whether it is legal to unblock Canadian TV channels abroad. In a sense, it isn’t because you’re violating their copyrights. After all, they’re blocked in the United States for a reason – or reasons.
However, no one bothers with the issue of bypassing geo-blocks. For example, millions of people use VPNs to watch Netflix, and while it IS against Netflix’s terms and conditions, no one got jailed or punished. The same applies to Canadian TV channels, whether you’re streaming the CBC broadcast channel from the United States or catching up on Citytv shows.
You can unblock any channel abroad and no one will bat an eye. Our team at Gizmodo is mindful of these copyrights and terms & conditions, so out of respect for them, we intentionally avoid using VPNs for these purposes. What about you?
Well, you’re a grown-up, so you’re free to decide for yourself. We’ll leave you to it.
The Bottom Line
Accessing region-locked content is one of the most exhilarating things once you get the hang of it. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access will thrust you into the world of online freedom thanks to their ability to modify your online location.
Now that you know how to watch Canadian TV in the USA, the rest is up to you. As you’ve learned, there’s nothing philosophical here; we’re poor philosophers. The workaround has three steps; installing a VPN, getting a Canadian IP address, and watching Canadian TV live in the US. We know you can do it, so don’t buckle under pressure now.