Traveling in the UK but want to catch up on US TV online? Unfortunately, you’ll be hit with a warning that “This video is unavailable in your location.” To bypass this restriction, you’ll need an IP address from the US.
If you’re wondering how to watch American TV in the UK, you’re in the right place. In this article, we reveal how you can still watch American shows, live broadcasts, and on-demand content in the United Kingdom — including channels like USA Network, NBC, and more. We also highlight which sites let you watch US TV channels online and which VPNs work best with these websites. Keep reading below.
How Can You Watch US TV Live in the UK: Tutorial
It’s easy to catch up with US news or watch your favorite shows even when you’re overseas. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) turn you into a virtual jetsetter; by changing your IP address, it’ll appear as if you’re in a different country than the one you’re in.
Whether you want to watch American shows in the UK or stream live sports, a VPN makes it possible in minutes. Follow our step-by-step guide below to watch US TV in the United Kingdom:
- Subscribe to and sign up for NordVPN. Based on our testing of the most popular VPNs in 2026, NordVPN is the best pick for streaming, thanks to its speed and reliability.
- Install NordVPN and log in. You can find NordVPN apps for all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more.
- Connect to a US server using NordVPN.
- Visit a US live channel site like NBC. You can also try Peacock and US TV Now. Note that some sites may require you to log in before you can start watching.
- Start watching your favorite US channels! Yes, it’s really that easy to unblock US live TV sites.
Access US TV in the UK with NordVPN
Where to Watch American Live TV Channels?
Many people ask: do US streaming apps work in the UK? The short answer is yes — but only if you use a VPN to get a US IP address. Without one, platforms like Peacock, Hulu, and YouTube TV USA will detect your British location and block access.
For free US live channel streams, you can visit NBC.com (no account needed), Amazon Freevee, and USTVNow (only select channels are free).
Meanwhile, the following sites require you to have an online subscription before you can watch their US TV network broadcasts:
| Streaming Service | Price | Free Trial |
| Peacock | Starts at $7.99/mo | No |
| Sling TV | Starts at $20/mo | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Starts at $64.99/mo | Yes |
| DirecTV Stream | Starts at $69.99/mo | No |
| Hulu + Live TV | Starts at $76.99/mo | Yes |
| Fubo | Starts at $79.99/mo | Yes |
If you’re looking for specific channels like USA Network, several of these services carry it. Both YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream include USA Network in their base packages, as do Sling TV (Blue plan), Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. That means you can watch USA Network online through any of these platforms once you connect to a US VPN server.
Remember, streaming sites usually require you to be in the US physically. So if you’re traveling in the UK, you need to have a US IP address; otherwise, you’ll be blocked from watching these channels.
The 3 Best VPNs for Watching American TV Channels from the UK
Need help choosing a VPN? You’ve come to the right place. Below, we list the best VPNs for streaming live US channels from overseas. These VPNs are guaranteed to work with any of the streaming sites we listed above.
1. NordVPN: The Best VPN for Streaming
To watch US TV live in the UK, you need a VPN that’s fast and reliable. That’s where NordVPN excels. This provider is the best VPN of 2026 for a reason: it blows every other VPN out of the water, as you’ll find in our NordVPN review.
Here are some of the streaming benefits you’ll get with NordVPN:
- Lightning-fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming. NordVPN’s speed tests show that it can keep up with the demands of live streaming.
- Over 1,970 servers in the US alone. This provides you with near-limitless options for IP addresses in the USA. You can choose a US server location to connect to or let NordVPN select the fastest server for you.
- Obfuscation servers in the US. Obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic so that streaming platforms don’t detect you’re using a VPN. This is one of the most reliable methods for bypassing anti-VPN measures implemented by streaming services. For this reason, it’s the preferred VPN for accessing US Paramount Plus from outside the United States.
- Up to 10 devices covered. You can use NordVPN on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, smart TVs, Android TVs, routers, and more. It also has a browser extension for when you watch US TV live streams from your browser.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. If you end up not needing NordVPN anymore, you can ask for a refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
Of course, NordVPN does more than just let you unblock US channels online. It also protects your online privacy with built-in tools like an ad blocker, dark web monitor, and secure file transfers. You also get split tunneling, a kill switch, and more essential VPN features.
If you want a fast and feature-rich VPN that puts a premium on your privacy, NordVPN should be your pick. Get it today for a promo of up to 60% off + 3 months free.
2. ExpressVPN: Best VPN for Obfuscation
ExpressVPN is one of the longest-running VPN services around, and for good reason. It has a reputation of being secure, reliable, and user-friendly, and we think this reputation is earned. Our ExpressVPN analysis demonstrates why it’s a great VPN overall.
But why is it a great VPN for watching American TV from the UK? Here are our reasons:
- Obfuscation on all its servers. Unlike other VPNs that only have a few obfuscated servers, ExpressVPN employs this technology on all its servers.
- Thousands of servers in 12 server locations in the US. You can choose between servers in California, Utah, New York, Washington DC, Texas, and more. You can also let ExpressVPN choose the fastest VPN server location for you.
- Split tunneling for speed optimization. You can choose which apps will use the VPN and which won’t. This way, you can use a US IP address with your streaming app while retaining your regular IP address and internet speed on WhatsApp or Skype, for example.
- Excellent customer service. You can contact ExpressVPN’s after-sales service for help unblocking streaming sites if you ever run into trouble.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on its subscriptions means your purchase is assured of a refund if you request one within 30 days.
We recommend ExpressVPN if you need a VPN service that can unblock any geo-restricted content on the web. It’s a solid choice for anyone who wants to watch American TV channels like USA Network, NBC, or ESPN from outside the US. Currently, it’s running a 49% off discount, so make sure to subscribe today!
3. Private Internet Access: Most Affordable VPN for Streaming
Private Internet Access (PIA) is known for its affordability, but it’s more than just that. If you want to watch American TV in the United Kingdom, this VPN is more than sufficient. Our PIA review reveals that this provider can go toe-to-toe with other major VPN players.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to watch USA Network and other American TV channels from the UK, PIA should be on your radar. Here’s why we love it:
- Servers in 50 US states. PIA’s wide coverage means you can choose a server location specific to the channels you want to see.
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections. As if PIA wasn’t already a great deal, you can also share your subscription with family and friends.
- Cheapest premium plan at only over $2/mo. If you want to save money while traveling to the UK, then PIA is the best pick for you.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, PIA lets you request for a refund within 30 days of your purchase.
PIA is one of our favorite VPNs because you won’t find a more affordable premium plan anywhere. You can even get a deal of up to 80% off + 2 months free if you subscribe today!
Try Private Internet Access Now
How to Watch American TV in the UK for Free: Are Free VPNs Worth It?
Free VPNs are a dime a dozen, but can they unblock online streams of US broadcast networks from the UK? The truth is they can, but you may not enjoy their many drawbacks.
These no-cost VPNs often limit your speed and your data use, resulting in stuttering while watching live streams. You may also end up not catching a full episode of Law & Order: Special Victim Units on NBC.com if your free VPN has a very small data allowance.
What’s more, some free VPNs sell user data to third parties, compromising your online privacy. When you use a free VPN, you can’t be sure where your data will end up and who might get their hands on it.
If you want an affordable, secure, and fast VPN that offers unlimited data and limitless speeds, go for PIA. This VPN service offers a hefty discount of up to 80% off, so you can get it for only over $2 per month.
Final Words
Keep up-to-date with US current events by watching US TV live in the UK! Once you have an IP address from the USA, you should be able to unblock the best American broadcast streaming sites like Peacock, Hulu, NBC.com, and more.
For a smooth, stress-free experience, go for NordVPN, which topped our list of the best VPNs for streaming. You’ll get blazing speeds, thousands of US VPN servers, and dozens of security features with just one subscription!
We also recommend two great alternatives. ExpressVPN is your best bet for unblocking any kind of geo-restricted content, thanks to its thousands of obfuscated servers. Private Internet Access, on the other hand, is the most affordable VPN of 2026 and even offers unlimited simultaneous connections!
Now that you know how to watch live American TV in the UK, redeem your 30-day money-back guarantee and catch the best deals on these VPNs by getting them today.