How to watch CBC in the USA in 2026
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CBC Gem is the streaming service of Canada's national public broadcaster, offering news, sports, and entertainment through the CBC Gem website and app. It can be watched for free with ads, while a paid CBC Gem Premium subscription offers ad-free on-demand viewing and access to additional premium content. However, due to content licensing agreements, CBC Gem streaming content is only available to viewers in Canada, and anyone outside the country may face geo-restrictions.
A VPN may help you access CBC Gem streaming content. With it, you can mask your IP address and route your connection through Canadian servers.
A VPN only changes your IP-based location. It does not create a CBC account, change your App Store or Google Play region, handle any account or payment requirements, or guarantee access to every CBC Gem title.
How to watch CBC in the USA with VPN
- Sign up for a VPN with Canadian servers
- Download and install the VPN app
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Go to the CBC Gem app or the CBC website
- Create a CBC Gem account or log in to your existing account
- Find the title you want to watch and try playing it
How a VPN can help you watch CBC in the US
CBC Gem streaming content is only available to viewers within Canada due to licensing restrictions. When you try to access CBC Gem streaming content from the US or any other country outside Canada, the site detects your non-Canadian IP address and blocks the stream with an error message: "This content is not available outside Canada. Please visit gem.cbc.ca/info/outside-canada for more information."
Using a reliable VPN can help with CBC Gem’s IP-based location check by assigning you a Canadian IP address. This way, you may be able to stream CBC Gem live and on-demand content in the US. However, a VPN doesn’t guarantee access to every title or replace any account, app-store, device, or subscription requirements.
What do you actually need to watch CBC Gem?
| What you need | What it requires | Can a VPN help? |
| Canadian connection | A Canadian IP address | ✅ Yes |
| CBC account | Access to a valid CBC account, if the content asks you to sign in | ❌ No |
| CBC Gem Premium | An active CBC Gem Premium subscription for Premium-only content and content with no ads. | ❌ No |
| CBC Gem app access | App availability in your App Store, Google Play, or device platform region | ❌ No |
| Supported device | A browser, phone, TV device, or app platform that supports CBC Gem | ❌ No |
You do not need a VPN if you are already in Canada. If you only want a CBC article, clip, or non-Gem page, check whether it opens normally first as the VPN method mainly applies to content that’s geo-blocked.
How to get the CBC Gem app in the US
You can try watching CBC Gem in the USA by using a VPN to connect to a Canadian server before opening the CBC Gem app or website. Just keep in mind that availability is not guaranteed, as a VPN only changes your IP address. CBC Gem app availability may still depend on your device, app store region, billing details, and account settings.
If you want to watch CBC Gem on Windows or Mac, you can use the CBC Gem website in your browser instead of downloading a separate desktop app. Here’s how to do it:
- Download and install the VPN app on your computer
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Go to the CBC Gem website in your browser
- Sign in to your CBC account if prompted
- Choose a CBC Gem title and test playback
- If the stream still doesn’t load, clear your cookies and cache, and try again
If you want to watch CBC Gem on your Android smartphone or tablet, you can try using the CBC Gem app with a Canadian VPN server.
- Download and install a VPN app with Canadian servers on your Android device
- Connect to a Canadian server
- Open Google Play and search for the CBC Gem app
- If CBC Gem is available, install the app on your device
- In your Android settings, disable location permissions for the CBC Gem app
- Open CBC Gem and follow any sign-in prompts
- Select any title to check whether playback works
If CBC Gem is not available in your Google Play region, try opening the CBC Gem website in your Android browser instead.
If you want to watch CBC Gem on your iPhone or iPad, you can try using the CBC Gem app with a Canadian VPN server. Here’s how:
- Download and install the VPN app you want to use on your iOS device
- Connect to a VPN server in Canada
- Open the App Store and look for the CBC Gem app
- If CBC Gem app is available, install it on your device
- In your iOS settings, disable location permissions for the CBC Gem app
- Launch CBC Gem and sign in if prompted
- Select a live channel or on-demand title and check if playback works
If CBC Gem is not available in your App Store region, try opening the CBC Gem website in your iPhone or iPad browser instead.
Using a VPN to watch CBC Gem on a streaming device depends on the device you use. Some devices may support VPN apps directly, while others may require setups like router VPNs or Smart DNS. We have put together a guide to the best VPNs for streaming if you want to check it out.
For devices that don’t support VPN apps directly, one option is to set up a VPN connection on your router. For that, we have comprehensive instructions on how to install a VPN on a Wi-Fi router.
Roku doesn’t support VPN apps directly. But you can still try using CBC Gem on Roku by setting up a VPN on your Wi-Fi router, as this can give your Roku device a Canadian IP address. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for a reliable VPN with plenty of Canadian servers to choose from
- Use your VPN guides to set it up on your Wi-Fi router
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Insert your Roku stick into the HDMI port on your smart TV
- Turn on your TV and connect Roku to the VPN-protected Wi-Fi network
- Search for CBC Gem in the Roku Channel Store
- If CBC Gem is available, add it to your Roku home screen and open the app
- Follow any sign-in prompts and test playback
You can try watching CBC content on Kodi through the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) add-on available in Kodi’s official add-on repository. Before installing it, check whether the add-on works with your current Kodi version.
- Set up a VPN connection on the device running Kodi or connect Kodi to a VPN-protected router
- Connect to a Canadian server
- Open Kodi and go to Settings
- Select Add-ons
- Choose Install from repository
- Go to Video add-ons
- Select Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) and choose Install
- Open the CBC add-on and test playback
Some newer Apple TV devices support VPN apps directly, but CBC Gem app availability may still depend on your Apple ID or App Store region. Here's how you can try CBC Gem on Apple TV with a VPN:
- Choose a VPN provider that supports Apple TV apps
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for your chosen VPN
- Download and install the VPN app
- Launch the VPN app, sign in, and connect to a Canadian server
- Search for CBC Gem in the App Store
- If it’s available, download and install the CBC Gem app
- Open CBC Gem, sign-in if prompted, and check whether playback works
What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?
- NordVPN – best VPN for watching CBC in the US
- Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN for international CBC streaming
- Proton VPN – best VPN with an unlimited free version
Final thoughts
If you want to watch CBC Gem in the US, a VPN may help by giving you a Canadian IP address for CBC Gem’s location check. You can try it by connecting to a Canadian VPN server, opening CBC Gem, and checking whether the stream plays.
Beyond this, a VPN like NordVPN can also encrypt your traffic on public Wi-Fi, but for CBC Gem, its main role is changing your IP-based location. It doesn’t guarantee access to every CBC Gem title or replace any account, app store, device, or subscription requirements.
FAQs
Why is CBC Gem unavailable in the US?
CBC Gem is unavailable in the US due to licensing agreements and content rights. These agreements restrict access to the app and website, making it only available to users in Canada.
Can I access CBC Gem in the US using a VPN?
Yes, a VPN may help you access CBC Gem in the US by giving you a Canadian IP address for CBC Gem’s location check. Connect to a VPN server in Canada, open CBC Gem, and test playback. However, it does not guarantee access to every CBC Gem title. Some streams may still require a CBC account, CBC Gem Premium, supported device, or app store access.
Can I watch Hockey Night in Canada on CBC with a VPN?
As of the 2026-27 NHL season, Hockey Night in Canada is not expected to air on CBC or CBC Gem because CBC no longer carries NHL broadcasts. A VPN may help with CBC Gem’s location check for content that is available there, but it cannot give access to NHL games that CBC does not currently stream.
Can I stream CBC Gem for free with a VPN?
Yes, CBC Gem offers a free plan that lets you watch live TV and on-demand shows, but it includes ads. If you use a VPN to connect to a Canadian server, you may be able to access the free version of CBC Gem from outside Canada. However, access is not guaranteed for every title, device, or app region.
