Paramount Plus is available in the UK, so it’s easy to assume the American version is the same app with a different price. In practice, they’re two different services. The US version streams NFL games, UFC fights, and the Champions League, plus CBS shows the day after they air, while the UK version has no live sport and a different mix of series.
That leaves UK sports fans, and Americans spending time in Britain, with two questions: how do you access the US version from the UK, and how do you pay for it? A VPN takes care of the first part, while paying is the trickier step. Here are the best VPNs that work with Paramount Plus for reliable unblocking and streaming.
Paramount+ USA From Britain: Quick Steps for November 2026
- Get a NordVPN subscription and set it up on your TV, laptop, or phone.
- Connect to a US server, such as New York.
- Sign up on paramountplus.com with a US payment method or a gift card from an official US retailer.
- Sign in on your devices and pick a show, a game, or a fight night.
Does Paramount Plus Work in the UK?
Yes, but the UK has its own Paramount Plus, which is a separate service from the American one. It’s sold directly and through Sky, and Sky Cinema customers receive the Basic with Ads plan at no extra cost. UK plans now cost about £6 a month with ads, £10 for Standard, and £13 for Premium.
However, each version works only in its own country. Paramount+ checks your IP address to decide which one you can use, and a US account shows the US library only when you connect from a US IP address.
So it won’t work in Britain without a VPN, even for Americans who subscribed at home, and the same check applies when watching Paramount+ abroad in other countries.
Paramount+ US vs UK: What Each Version Has
| Paramount+ USA | Paramount+ UK | |
| Plans | Essential and Premium | Basic with Ads, Standard, and Premium |
| Starting price | About $9 a month (Essential, with ads) | About £6 a month (Basic with Ads) |
| Live TV | Local CBS station on Premium | None |
| Sports Live Streaming | NFL on CBS, UFC, Champions League, college football, golf | None this season |
| CBS shows | The day after they air, or live on Premium | Selected series, such as Boston Blue |
| Showtime series | All on Premium, some on Essential | Some, including Dexter |
The American version adds live CBS, live sport, and shows the UK version doesn’t stream, such as Survivor. Both versions stream Paramount+ originals like Lioness and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
In the UK, many Paramount Pictures films go to Sky Cinema first under a long-term deal, and some CBS dramas air on Sky channels instead of Paramount+.
How to Watch US Paramount+ in the UK
A VPN makes Paramount+ treat you as a US viewer by connecting you to an American server. For these steps, we used NordVPN, which unblocked US Paramount+ on its New York servers. After you subscribe, install the app and sign in. Next, choose the United States from the server list, or search for a city such as New York.
NordVPN has servers in 55 US cities, and once you’re connected, Paramount+ sees a US IP address instead of your British one. Then go to paramountplus.com in a browser and create your account. Do this step on the website, because Paramount+ gift cards work only there.
After you pay, sign in on your TV or phone with the VPN connected, and the US library, NFL games, and UFC events play as they would in New York. Paramount’s US terms say the service isn’t available outside the US, and they prohibit signing up or watching through a VPN, with account suspension as the penalty.
How to Pay for US Paramount+ From the UK
The US service charges in dollars, and Paramount+’s help center says international credit cards can’t be used to buy it. So a UK debit or credit card is likely to fail at checkout. The options are:
- A US card or US PayPal account: the simplest option if you already have one, for example from a past stay in the US.
- A Paramount+ gift card: official US retailers such as Walmart sell digital Paramount+ gift cards in fixed amounts. Redeem the code on paramountplus.com while you’re connected to a US server.
Paramount’s gift card terms require a US resident, so this option suits Americans abroad. Also, buy codes only from official retailers, because Paramount’s terms honor only gift cards from authorized sellers. Skip marketplace resellers, even when their codes look cheaper.
UFC and Live Sports on US Paramount+
Sports are the biggest difference between the two versions. US Paramount+ streams:
- NFL on CBS: the local CBS games each Sunday, on either plan
- UFC: every numbered event and Fight Night, with no pay-per-view, on either plan
- UEFA club football: the Champions League, the Europa League, and the Conference League
- College football and golf on CBS: Big Ten games and weekend golf coverage, on Premium only
Paramount+ UK has no live sport this season. In the UK, UFC events air on TNT Sports, which streams through HBO Max, and the Champions League is split between TNT Sports and Prime Video. That changes from the 2027-28 season, when Paramount+ UK takes over most Champions League matches.
Top VPNs for Paramount Plus USA
Each of these three was tested on a New York server from our connection in Europe. The speed-loss column shows how much slower each VPN was than the same connection without one.
| VPN | Download in New York | Speed loss | US locations |
| NordVPN | 179.88 Mbps | 5.5% | 55 cities |
| Proton VPN | 145.61 Mbps | 23.5% | 18 states and Washington, DC |
| ExpressVPN | 163.66 Mbps | 14.0% | 63 locations |
1. NordVPN: Best for NFL and UFC Fans
Pros
- Fast New York servers
- Servers in dozens of US cities
- Smart DNS for consoles and older TVs
- Apps for Fire TV and Apple TV
Cons
- Higher renewal price
NordVPN had a 5.5% speed loss on a New York server, which left more than enough for Paramount+ in 4K. With servers in 55 US cities, you can connect close to the team you follow for its local CBS games. On New York servers, it also unblocked CBS’s free live channels on cbs.com, which detected Proton VPN and ExpressVPN there.
Its apps work on Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV, so the US library works on the TV you already use. Like most VPNs, it renews at a higher price, and the 30-day money-back guarantee leaves time to test it with your Paramount+ account.
For UK fans who want NFL Sundays and UFC nights, we’d choose NordVPN before any other VPN, which also ranks first in our UK VPN guide.
2. Proton VPN: Best for State-by-State US Servers
Pros
- Servers across many US states
- Stealth protocol for restrictive Wi-Fi
- NetShield ad and tracker blocker
- Independently audited no-logs policy
Cons
- Detected by cbs.com on New York servers
Proton VPN lists its US servers by state, covering 18 states and Washington, DC, so you can pick a location in a specific part of the country. On its New York server, it had a 23.5% speed loss, yet about 145 Mbps remained. It unblocked Paramount+ itself, but cbs.com detected it on New York servers
So, CBS’s free live channels wouldn’t work there. CBS worked normally on its Seattle server, so switching cities is worth a try. Its Stealth protocol keeps working on Wi-Fi that blocks VPN traffic, which helps in shared houses and student halls.
NetShield also removes ads and trackers from the sites you visit. Proton VPN’s two-year plan comes to about $3.50 a month.
3. ExpressVPN: Best for Local NFL Markets
Pros
- Servers near NFL markets like Philadelphia and Tampa
- One-tap apps for TVs and phones
- Fast connections
- Affordable two-year Basic plan
Cons
- Few advanced settings
ExpressVPN has 63 US locations, including Philadelphia, Tampa, and Washington, DC, cities that many VPNs skip. That helps NFL fans who want the local CBS game in a specific market. On a New York server, it had a 14% speed loss. Its apps are also simple to set up on Fire TV, Apple TV, and phones, and connecting takes one tap.
There are few advanced settings, but the defaults work well for streaming, so most viewers won’t miss them, especially those looking for a plug-and-play experience. If your team plays in a city NordVPN doesn’t cover, we’d pick ExpressVPN. Its two-year Basic plan is about $3 a month.
Can You Watch US Paramount+ in the UK for Free?
Not anymore. Paramount+ dropped its free trial for new US subscribers, so the US version is paid from the start. The UK version still offers a 7-day trial. A free VPN won’t help either. Proton VPN’s free plan isn’t built for streaming, and most other free VPNs limit your data.
For free American TV, Pluto TV, which Paramount also owns, streams free channels in the UK and the US. Its channel selection differs by country, and a US server unblocks the US version of Pluto TV.
Final Thoughts
US Paramount+ is worth the effort for UK viewers who want NFL games, UFC with no pay-per-view, or live CBS. The method is simple: connect a VPN to a US server, sign up on paramountplus.com, and pay with a US card, US PayPal, or a gift card from an official US retailer.
If you mainly watch Paramount+ originals, the UK version may already cover them, and it doesn’t require a VPN or a US payment method. Before you pay, choose your plan with the sports in mind. Essential covers NFL and UFC, while live CBS, Big Ten games, and most golf coverage require Premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a US Paramount+ account in the UK?
No, Paramount's US terms say the service can't be used outside the US. Paramount+ checks the IP address, so a US account won't stream from a UK connection.
Is UFC on Paramount Plus in the UK?
No, Paramount+ UK doesn't show UFC. British fans watch it on TNT Sports, available through HBO Max, while the US version of Paramount+ streams every numbered event and Fight Night.
Can a UK bank card pay for US Paramount+?
No, the US service generally doesn't accept international credit cards, so Americans abroad use a US card, US PayPal, or a gift card from an authorized retailer.
Does Paramount Plus allow VPNs?
No, Paramount's terms ban VPN use for signing up or streaming, and breaking them can lead to a suspended account. The service also blocks many known VPN servers.
Does Paramount Plus UK have CBS shows?
Yes, but only some. Paramount+ UK streams selected CBS dramas, such as Boston Blue and Sheriff Country, while others air on Sky channels. Live CBS and next-day episodes are US features.
What is the difference between Paramount+ Essential and Premium?
Essential has ads and includes NFL on CBS, UFC, and the Champions League, with CBS shows a day later. Premium cuts most ads, adds live local CBS, and includes all Showtime titles.