How to watch CBC in the USA and abroad in 2025
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CBC, Canada's national public broadcaster, delivers news, sports, and entertainment through its official website and CBC Gem streaming service. The CBC Gem provides live TV and on-demand shows for Canadian viewers. Unfortunately, due to content licensing agreements, CBC and CBC Gem enforce strict geo-blocking, making their services available only within Canada.
The best solution is to use a reliable VPN service to access CBC and CBC Gem. A quality VPN disguises your location by routing your connection through Canadian servers. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through how to use a VPN to stream CBC, whether you’re in the US or traveling anywhere else in the world.
How to watch CBC in the USA with VPN

- Sign up for a VPN. I recommend NordVPN, now 77% OFF.
- Download and install the VPN app
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Go to the CBC Gem app or the CBC website and find the content you want to watch
- Enjoy the show.
Why do you need a VPN to watch CBC in the USA?
CBC’s streaming content is only available to viewers within Canada due to licensing restrictions. When you try to access CBC from the US or any other country, the site detects your non-Canadian IP address and blocks the stream by showing an error message that says the content is unavailable in your region:

A reliable VPN can help you bypass CBC’s geo-restrictions by masking your real location and assigning you a Canadian IP address. This way, you can stream CBC Gem live and on-demand content from anywhere in the world as if you were in Canada.
How to watch CBC in USA on your device
You can enjoy CBC in the USA or anywhere else in the world by using a VPN and connecting to a Canadian server.
If you want to watch CBC on Windows 11 or a Mac, the good news is, you don’t even need to download the app. You can access all of CBC’s content in your browser. Here’s how to do it:
- Download and install a VPN on your computer. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this
- Connect to a server in Canada
- Go to the CBC Gem website
- If you still can’t access CBC content, try clearing your cookies and cache, and start again
- Find your favorite content and start streaming
If you want to watch CBC on your Android smartphone or tablet, all you need to do is follow these simple steps:
- Change your app store and phone locations to Canada
- Download and install the app for the VPN you have chosen. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this, because it has a great Android app
- Create a new Google account and choose Canada as your country
- Open or install the CBC Gem app on your device from the Google Play Store
- Sit back, relax, and start watching your favorite CBC content
If you want to watch CBC from anywhere in the world, you can access it on your iPhone or iPad. Here’s how:
- Change your phone and app store locations to Canada
- Download and install the app for the VPN you want to use. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this, because it has an app that works really well on iOS
- Create a new Apple ID and select Canada as your country
- Open or install the CBC Gem app on your iPhone or iPad from the Apple App Store (or from alternative stores like AltStore PAL if you’re in the EU)
- Start watching your favorite CBC TV shows
Using a VPN to watch CBC on a streaming stick means that you will be able to enjoy all your favorite CBC content on the TV. We have put together a guide to the best VPNs for streaming if you want to check it out. Below, I’ll talk you through how to do this on some of the most popular streaming sticks available.
However, it’s essential to point out that the easiest way to watch CBC on streaming devices 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. But, you can still connect it to a VPN via your Wi-Fi router, which will mask your IP address. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for a reliable VPN with plenty of Canadian servers to choose from. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this
- 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 choose CBC on the Roku home screen
- Search for your favorite TV shows, and enjoy streaming
It’s really easy to watch CBC on Kodi. But like Roku, Kodi doesn’t support VPN apps. However, there is a very simple way around this. Just follow these steps:
- Check that you have OpenVPN installed. If your Kodi is running on LibreELEC and OpenELEC, you should already have OpenVPN pre-installed
- Download and install your VPN. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this
- Add your VPN to your Kodi device. You can do this by downloading the VPN onto your computer, saving the software onto a USB stick, and then inserting it into your Kodi device
- You will then need to go to Settings, choose System Settings, and then select Add-ons on your Kodi device. Switch on Unknown Sources. You will then be able to download the VPN software onto your Kodi
- Once this is done, connect to a server in Canada
- Switch on your TV and go to Kodi's home screen
- Install the CBC add-on to your Kodi
- Enjoy watching everything CBC has to offer
Another way you can get a VPN to work with your Kodi is to connect your VPN to your Wi-Fi router. Then you will be able to access Canadian servers from wherever you are.
Here's how to set up a VPN on your Apple TV:
- Choose a VPN provider that supports Apple TV apps.. Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free for this
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for your chosen VPN app
- Download and install the app
- Launch the VPN app, sign in, and connect to a Canadian server
- Download and install the CBC Gem app from the App Store
- Sit back, relax, and enjoy watching your favorite CBC content
Best CBC Gem VPNs to watch CBC outside Canada
- NordVPN – best VPN for watching CBC in the US
- Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN for international CBC streaming
- IPVanish – reliable VPN for streaming CBC Gem in USA
If you’re looking for a VPN to help you bypass geo-blocks so you can watch CBC from the US or anywhere else in the world, I recommend using any of the following:
1. NordVPN – best VPN for watching CBC in the US

Servers in Canada: | 7400+ servers in 118 countries |
Unblocks CBC Gem and CBC: | ✅ Yes |
Compatible with: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Coupons: | Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is my favorite choice for unblocking region restrictions, allowing me to watch CBC from outside Canada. During NordVPN testing, some of the available 7400 servers in 118 countries unblocked content on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, including CBC.
And if your online privacy is important to you, you’ll be pleased to know that NordVPN boasts an extensive range of security features to protect your data from online hackers and other third parties. And it operates a strict no-logs policy.
NordVPN is very reasonably priced too, with costs starting at just $3.09 a month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – good-value VPN for international CBC streaming

Servers in Canada: | 150+ |
Unblocks CBC Gem and CBC: | ✅ Yes |
Compatible with: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Coupons: | Surfshark coupon 87% OFF |
If you’re looking for an even cheaper VPN to unblock CBC’s region restrictions so you can watch it in the US, you’ll struggle to find a better option than Surfshark. With 3200 servers in over 100 countries, it easily bypasses regional restrictions. During Surfshark testing, I could access Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and CBC without issues.
Better still, it delivers superfast speeds with its WireGuard tunneling protocol, which makes it ideal for buffer-free streaming. And, unlike most other VPNs at this price point, it comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you like at the same time.
For all this, Surfshark is incredibly good value for money, with prices starting at just $1.99 a month. And it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out.
3. IPVanish – trusted VPN for unblocking CBC TV

Servers in Canada: | 66 |
Unblocks CBC Gem and CBC: | ✅ Yes |
Compatible with: | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
Coupons: | IPVanish coupon 83% OFF |
IPVanish is a reliable VPN that comes with all the necessary features to unblock CBC.
IPVanish has 2400+ worldwide servers, so you can choose from a list of Canadian servers to watch CBC without any trouble. During our IPVanish review, we were also able to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and Disney+ reliably.
IPVanish also encrypts your data. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and has a standard kill switch that will protect you if the VPN connection is interrupted.
IPVanish pricing starts at $2.19 per month, and all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
What can you watch on CBC and CBC Gem?
There are loads of great TV shows available on CBC, including live sporting events, documentaries, kids’ TV, news, and dramas.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite shows on CBC and the CBC Gem app:
Best CBC content | Genre |
Pretty Hard Cases (2021-2023) | Crime |
Frankie Drake Mysteries (2017-2021) | Drama |
The Great Canadian Baking Show (2017-present) | Reality TV |
Murdoch Mysteries (2008-present) | Drama |
Being Erica (2009-2011) | Comedy |
Heartland (2007-present) | Drama |
Coroner (2019-2022) | Drama |
Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020) | Sitcom |
Final thoughts on watching CBC and CBC Gem in the US
If you want to watch CBC in the US or anywhere else outside Canada, you can do this really easily with a good VPN, like NordVPN. This will allow you to connect to a Canadian server so that you can bypass CBC’s region restrictions.
But beyond this, a VPN is a vital tool for protecting your online privacy. It does this by encrypting your data to keep your activity safe from cybercriminals and other third parties. It will also protect your data if you connect to public Wi-Fi.
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 in the US using a VPN?
Yes, you can access CBC by using a reliable VPN while connecting to a server in Canada. This will help you bypass CBC’s location restrictions and let you watch all the CBC content you like. Just install NordVPN or another reputable VPN. To find out how, follow our simple step-by-step guide in the section above.
How can I watch CBC outside Canada?
You won’t be able to watch CBC outside Canada without a reputable VPN. Once you’ve got your VPN set up, all you then need to do is connect to a server in Canada. Then you’ll be able to bypass CBC’s region restrictions, which will allow you to watch all of CBC’s content. If you get stuck, follow our simple instructions earlier on in this guide.
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