How to Watch American TV From Abroad

June 10, 2025 By Christine Margret No Comments 6 minutes

If you are traveling or living abroad and want to watch American TV programs, films, or channels online, a VPN is a convenient method. It enables you to access a U.S. server, alters your IP address, and assists you in accessing content that would usually be blocked in other countries.

In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process, provide tips on achieving the best streaming experience, and recommend the best VPN for streaming US TV from anywhere globally.

Why You Need a VPN to Access US TV

All US TV channels are only accessible if you’re in the US. Therefore, if you’re outside of the country, you will not be able to view them due to location restrictions tied to your IP address. But with FastestVPN installed on your device, you can alter your virtual location to the US. As soon as you are connected to a US server, all of those TV channels that were previously blocked will now be accessible to you.

How to Watch American TV With a VPN: Step-by-Step

Watching American TV with a VPN is actually super simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Pick a VPN with lots of US servers. FastestVPN is the best choice with multiple US servers.
2. Download FastestVPN on your device. It works on all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
3. Log in using your FastestVPN account. You’ll get instant access to the app.
4. Access a US server. That provides you with a US IP address, allowing you to access American TV content that’s usually restricted overseas.
5. Go to your favorite US streaming site or use services like US TV Now to start watching.

How to Watch American TV on Your Computer or Smartphone

Struggling to stream American TV channels overseas? No need to panic — installing a VPN is ridiculously easy and only takes a minute! Here’s how:

1. Sign up for FastestVPN on the website. We even provide a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
2. Download the FastestVPN app on your device — be it your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV.
3. Log in with your new account.
4. Select a US server. This will provide you with a US IP address, and you can gain access to American television content.
5. Go to your preferred streaming site or channel and enjoy your favorite programs and news!

Popular American TV Channels You Can Watch With a VPN

Don’t know where to begin when viewing American television online? Here’s a fast rundown of some of the most popular streaming sites and what they provide, and whether you’ll need a VPN in order to view them when abroad.

Streaming Sites & Stations

1. Sling TV

• What You Get: 30+ TV channels live
• Cost: $40/month
• VPN Needed? Yes, if you’re abroad

2. Pluto TV

• What You Get: 250+ live channels (news, sports & entertainment included)
• Cost: Free
• VPN Needed? Yes, outside the US

3. Peacock

• What You Get: 50+ channels + heaps of on-demand shows
• Cost: $5.99/month
• VPN Needed? Yes, if you’re abroad

4. US TV Now

• What You Get: 100+ channels
• Cost: Free
• VPN Needed? Yes, when out of the US

5. Hulu + Live TV

• What You Get: 75+ live channels plus a full library of Hulu
• Cost: $76.99/month
• VPN Needed? Yes, if you’re not in the US

6. Max (previously HBO Max)

• What You Get: Streaming television programs and films
• Cost: $10/month
• VPN Needed? Yes, unless you’re in a supported region

Bonus Tip:

You can also access the official websites of popular US channels such as Fox News, ABC, NBC, Comedy Central, AMC, and many others, just ensure your VPN is set to a US server.

With the proper VPN, American TV viewing from anywhere worldwide is only a few clicks away!

Having Trouble Streaming American TV? Here’s How to Fix It

Trying to stream American TV with a VPN, and it’s not working quite right? Relax, it happens. Some streaming sites attempt to block VPNs, but there are a few easy things you can do to bypass the issue.

Quick Fixes to Try

1. Change to a different US server

Occasionally, one server is blocked, but another is fine.

2. Reboot your internet connection

A reboot is a quick fix for intermittent connection problems.

3. Clear cookies from your browser or use a different browser

Cookies can leak your actual location. Starting over usually solves the problem.

4. Update your VPN app

Ensure you use the latest version so bugs and problems are resolved.

Thinking About Using a Free VPN to Watch US TV? Here’s What You Should Know

Sure, using a free VPN sounds like a good idea, especially if you’re just trying to catch up on some American shows while abroad. But before you go that route, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

1. Very Few US Servers

Most free VPNs have only a few server choices. Getting one with US servers is an exception, and even if you do, those servers are often saturated and untrustworthy.

2. Stream Slowed to a Crawl

Free VPNs have limited bandwidth, so streaming is slow. Even if you manage to unblock a channel, buffering and lag can kill the experience.

3. Threat to Your Privacy

Some of the free VPNs fail to protect your information properly. Even worse, some actually sell your information to advertisers or other third parties for profit.

4. Poor Security

Unlike reliable paid VPNs, most free ones fall short on robust encryption and fundamental security features, leaving your private info vulnerable.

If you’re serious about streaming American TV dependably and securely, it’s well worth using a reputable VPN such as FastestVPN. It’s quick, secure, has plenty of US servers, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee — so risk-free to try out.

Free VPNs may just do in an emergency, but for a glitch-free and secure streaming experience, a paid-for VPN is generally the way to go.

Why Is FastestVPN The Best VPN to View American TV Overseas?

FastestVPN is a top pick for watching American TV overseas since it has fast and stable US servers that easily unblock top streaming services. It comes with solid security in the form of no-logs privacy, so your data remains safe while streaming. On top of that, it’s budget-friendly, allows you to use multiple devices, and has 24/7 customer support to get you up and running quickly. You can watch seamless, buffer-free American TV anywhere in the world using FastestVPN.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a VPN is the simplest method of watching American TV from anywhere in the world outside the US. It assists you in evading location restrictions and allows you access to your favorite television shows and channels regardless of where you are. Going with a trustworthy VPN that has many US servers will ensure that your streaming experience is seamless and trouble-free. Therefore, start using a credible VPN, such as FastestVPN today,, and never miss an American TV show.