How to watch Channel 5 in the US in 2025
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Channel 5 offers hundreds of fantastic TV shows, series, and movies. You can view it online on My5 – the on-demand video service that streams the best of Channel 5, 5STAR, 5ACTION, 5USA, and 5SELECT.
Unfortunately, if you ever attempt to watch Channel 5 in the US, you’ll fail – the channel is geo-blocked and is only available in the UK. A reliable VPN is the perfect way to bypass these frustrating restrictions – by connecting to a server in the UK, you’ll be able to watch the channel from anywhere in the world.
In this article, we’ll explain how to watch Channel 5 in the US in 2025 by using a VPN, as well as how to pick a reliable option.
How to watch Channel 5 online with a VPN

- Download a reliable VPN service. I highly recommend NordVPN, now 72% OFF
- Sign up, and then launch the VPN on your chosen device
- Connect your VPN to a server in the UK
- Head over to My5’s website or download a mobile app, sign in, and enjoy
Why do you need a VPN to watch Channel 5 online?
Channel 5, and its free online video service My5, is home to an incredible catalog of popular content. Unfortunately, the service is only available to watch in the UK.
If you try to access Channel 5 content from the US or anywhere else in the world, you will be blocked by copyright laws, licensing agreements, and distribution rights. So instead of brilliant content, you’ll be greeted with an error message.

Luckily, there’s a cost-effective and quick method to bypass geo-restrictions and watch Channel 5 from the US or elsewhere – a VPN. Once you install a reliable VPN with plenty of UK servers, you’ll be able to unlock Channel 5’s content worldwide.

In the next section, we’ll introduce you to the best VPNs for accessing Channel 5. Every provider outlined in this article was tested to successfully unblock Channel 5 shows and movies.
Best VPNs to watch Channel 5 from anywhere
When selecting a VPN to watch Channel 5 in the US, you’ll need to look for a provider that has lots of UK-based servers. The provider you pick should also have fast loading speeds and high-quality security features to keep your data safe.
- NordVPN – the best all-around VPN to watch Channel 5 from anywhere. With 7200+ servers in 118 countries, NordVPN stands out as one of the best VPNs for bypassing geo-restrictions. NordVPN has a total of 893 servers in the UK, so you’ll easily gain access to Channel 5 while the high number of UK servers ensures you don’t run into server congestion. What’s more, NordVPN maintains 90% of the original internet speed, ensuring you have a smooth and lag-free streaming experience. Starting at $3.39/month, NordVPN is my top pick for unblocking Channel 5. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included in all plans. Android users can also try out the service with a 7-day free trial.
- Surfshark – the cheapest VPN for streaming Channel 5. At only $2.19/month, Surfshark offers a high-quality VPN for a low price. It has over 3200 servers in 100 countries, and, while the exact number of servers in the UK is undisclosed, Surfshark covers Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, and London, giving you plenty of alternatives in case one of the servers doesn’t work well. Despite the affordable price tag, Surfshark doesn’t compromise on performance. Our in-house tests have shown that Surfshark retains 86% of the original internet speed, guaranteeing great streaming quality with minimal to no buffering. Try out Surfshark with a 7-day free trial. If you’re unhappy with the service, you can fall back on a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish – a reliable VPN provider for unlocking Channel 5 instantly. Another great pick for bypassing geo-restrictions, IPVanish is an affordable VPN provider with servers in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. While the server network is smaller than that of NordVPN or Surfshark, with 2400 servers in 100 countries, IPVanish doesn’t fall behind in terms of performance. It retains around 80% of the original internet speed and maintains good streaming quality throughout. Starting at $2.19/month, IPVanish is a great option for those who want a simple interface and unlimited simultaneous connections at a low price. Users can try out the service on mobile devices with a 7-day free trial. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also included with every subscription.
How to watch Channel 5 from anywhere
With a reliable internet connection and a solid VPN provider, nothing can stop you from watching Channel 5 – anywhere, at any time. Bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy as much Channel 5 content as you like by following these steps:
- Grab a VPN with plenty of servers in the UK. I recommend NordVPN – it has over 7200 servers in 118 countries and plenty of them are in the UK. Most importantly, NordVPN easily unblocks Channel 5 without compromising on speed or quality
- Download and install the VPN app on your device. NordVPN and many other VPN services have dedicated apps for major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
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Connect to a server in the UK. Most VPN services make this easy by allowing you to search for the country you want to connect to
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Go to Channel 5 and log in. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to create one by clicking Register
- You’re in. Now you can watch Channel 5
Channel 5 not working with a VPN?
If you’re struggling to get access to Channel 5 despite having a VPN in place, there are numerous potential explanations:
- Your real IP address may be leaking
- You have connected to a server in the wrong location
- The settings on your device need updating
- Your VPN isn’t able to bypass Channel 5’s restrictions
A few solutions to these problems include:
- Try a different browser in a UK location
- Clear your cookies and cache
- Update your device
- Contact the support team for your VPN
If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to upgrade your VPN. NordVPN will work with any device and can bypass restrictions on all major streaming platforms, channels, and networks.
How to watch Channel 5 with a free VPN
Generally, we advise against using free VPNs due to security and privacy concerns. However, there are a few options you can consider if you only need to connect to a server in the UK and security isn’t a concern:
- Hide.me. A minimal VPN with basic functionalities, Hide.me is a good alternative to a premium VPN, especially for those who are just starting to use VPNs. It doesn’t have a data cap and includes a server in the UK, allowing you to unblock Channel 5 and stream without worrying about your data running out. However, Hide.me limits simultaneous connections to only 10 devices.
- Tunnelbear. A free VPN with an intuitive interface, TunnelBear is a decent option for streaming Channel 5. One of the main downsides of TunnelBear is that the free version has a data cap of 2GB, meaning once you exceed it, you won’t be able to use the VPN until the next day.
Considering the limitations of free VPNs, I recommend trying out a premium VPN first and comparing the experience. After all, most major VPN providers offer free trials and money-back guarantees, allowing you to try out the premium service risk-free.
What can you watch on Channel 5?
Channel 5 and My5 have an extensive content library from multiple channels. These include 5USA, 5SELECT, 5STAR, and 5ACTION. Some of the titles you can expect to see include:
Live TV | Movies | TV series |
22 Kids & Counting | ABBA: The Movie | Home and Away |
NCIS | Unknown | Dexter |
The Motorway | Total Recall | Law and Order |
Trucking Hell | To Die For | Criminal Minds |
The Gadget Show | What Women Want | Traffic Cops |
The Hotel Inspector | An Invitation to Murder | Anne Boleyn |
To stay up to date with Channel 5 ’s extensive library, you can find full listings online.
Our final thoughts
Channel 5 is home to some seriously popular TV, documentaries, movies, and more. It’s no wonder why people in the US and other countries want to tune in and catch all the great content that the channel has to offer.
You don't have to miss out if you’re outside Channel 5’s network. All you need is a stable internet connection and a reliable VPN like NordVPN to bypass geo-blocks and enable access.
In addition to unblocking geo-restricted content, a VPN will also improve online privacy by masking your IP address and hiding your online activity.
FAQs
Can I watch Channel 5 with a VPN?
Yes, you can watch Channel 5 with a reliable VPN like NordVPN. Simply download to your device, connect to a UK server, and browse the extensive library.
How can I watch Channel 5 on demand outside the UK?
You can watch Channel 5 on demand through the My5 website or app using a reliable VPN provider. All VPNs listed in this article will do the trick. Simply connect to a UK server and you’re good to go.
Which VPNs work with Channel 5?
We highly recommend NordVPN as the best choice to unblock Channel 5 content, as well as content on other channels and networks. Surfshark and IPVanish are also good options, although they have fewer additional features.
Can I watch Channel 5 on Roku?
You can watch Channel 5 on Roku using a VPN. You will need to connect your VPN to your wifi router first, but the process is pretty straightforward from there.
How do I watch Channel 5 live for free online?
To watch Channel 5 live completely free, you can take advantage of the free trials and money-back guarantees that paid VPNs offer. NordVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish all provide 30-day money-back guarantees. My5 is also entirely free.
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